Posted on 05/16/2026 7:02:34 AM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
Rubio is like the baseball team that scraps for every run and creates openings while Vance seems to be waiting for President Trump to hit a three-run homer to bring him in.
Rubio is clearly leading Trump among Latinos, winning converts for him in a way Vance is failing to do. He has used his position as secretary of state to polish his image. Rubio has a charisma edge while Vance seems to be a stolid follower in Trump's wake.
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Rubio has been impressive, but I still think that Ron DeSantis is the most natural heir to Donald Trump.
DeSantis has got the same take-no-prisoners approach, yet has a keen knack for getting a job done.
Trump is UNPREDICTABLE.
I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't endorse anyone.
He has NO reason to like either one of these professional politicians and former senators.
Do you think Trump really wanted to endorse Little Marco for the Senate?
Of course he didn't want to endorse him any more than he wanted to endorse Carlos Delecto.
When Little Marco pulled that peeking in the bathroom business at the primary debate, he BURNT all bridges to having a personal relationship with Trump.
Little Marco has served Trump as well as any of his cabinet choices.
But in Trump's view that is just business and Trump has successfully made his way in this world not letting personal relationships get in the way of business.
Some might say he fired his own daughter Ivanka from the family business at least the political part of the family business and replaced her with his daughter-in-law Laura Trump who didn't have that upper East Side of Manhattan baggage.
I'd say Trump doesn't care for the bearded one any more than he cares for Little Marco even though he too has served Trump well.
Trump ain't choosing and I think Trump can read the room better than any leader in my lifetime.
Trump will let MAGA choose.
If and when MAGA shows up in numbers and enthusiasm to support a candidate then Trump might endorse before the nomination is cinched.
I don't think there is an iota of MAGA DNA in Little Marco or the bearded one.
Either one could get the nomination but I suspect it would be without MAGA crowds and MAGA enthusiasm.
I know there are a lot of folk on this forum who are salivating about debating whether Little Marco or the bearded one or Jeb 2.0 is the man to lead the GOP.
I get that.
This forum has really never been a MAGA forum but a forum where the Bushbots who became Cruzbots who became Ronbots have spent the MAGA years in exile.
I still think most folk on this forum believe there are two DISTINCT political parties in mighty opposition when in fact there is ONLY one political party in America with two wings that only reveals itself as one when the times comes that it must reject the will of the people on their mandates to build a wall and impose Voter ID.
I have had issues with Rubio, but overall I think he is would make a good POTUS. DeSantis has greatness potential in the same role. I support him for POTUS if he runs.
Rubio is riding high because of recent events. He may also be on a high and addicted to interventionism. Vance may be less likely to get us involved in foreign conflicts, but he looks lackluster beside Rubio.
A Latino president might be able to be more hardline on immigration, but whether Rubio would be remains to be seen. He wasn’t very MAGA on immigration before he entered the cabinet.
**DeSantis showed in the last election why some people make good governors but are not presidential material.**
Bad campainer-he’d be a good POTUS. Just gotta get elected.
**Vance is simply not impressive and has a thin resume. He’s not ready to be president.**
Perfect YOUNG scotus material.
**Marco Rubio has grown into a very competent person and has the charisma needed to win.**
It’s the charm-better for the ladies. ‘Looks’ sincere. Those things count.
My friends Marco has his detractors here but he could be SOS for 10 years and remake this world through the prism of the hispanics and how they do things-generally a warm people. Picture JD as a newly appointed scotus and DeSantis being selected to succeed him and then Trump. If the ‘stiffness’ is in the Florida governor please be advised all the potential democrat nominees out there look like something stiff is up their arse.
I know what you mean.
That should actually worry you. I won’t bother telling you why.
Nice rant
My other point was that Rubio’s resume isn’t much thicker than Vance’s. Sure, he served longer in the Senate, but what did he really accomplish as Senator - i.e. how many important bills did he sponsor? Moreover, JD Vance’s pre-political career is much more impressive than Rubio’s.
See post 8
Sorry but DeSantis would fold like a cheap suit once the left got their dander up if he was POTUS. He’s been protected by a legislature that’s overwhelmingly Republican so he’s never had to fight the onslaught that Trump, Vance & Rubio face every day.
Another thought regarding Vance on the court. Too often candidates get selected from the DC Appeals court. No one has heard of them. Once in the nomination spotlight individual senators have to showboat their negative opinions and no one knows if the lies are true or not. When a sitting senator gets nominated the ‘club’ atmosphere’ takes effect and it becomes less contentious. JD is not an obscure one of 100. He’s out there enough for everybody to see. Americans have a good sense of what’s fair and I don’t thing they’ll allow unfair treatment of someone who’s duly elected by a majority of voters.
Voters could conclude Trumpism’s rough edges could go away with JD not being around to succeed him. Marco has the charm and DeSantis has that hands-on executive experience to continue conservative policies without the kinder/gentler bs.
“”Marco Rubio has grown into a very competent person and has the charisma needed to win.””
I agree - a much different person now than in the past...he doesn’t stumble or falter when he’s speaking...very articulate...surprised me!! Doesn’t appear to be lacking in responses to questions..
“”Rubio as Sec State is a completely different Rubio from what we were used to.””
Agree....the post before yours was referring to the president expecting Rubio to fail. He hasn’t...not at any time I’ve seen him speaking in answer to questions...knows his material.
Years ago, I remember when it seemed George Allen would be the guy.
The dog on top of Romney's car is nothing compared to this story. It's being kept in a seal jar, marinating until it looks like he might have a chance at the Presidency.
At this point, I don’t think it’s worth speculating about anyone besides Lara Trump.
Same with McLame. What I don’t like is the folks on The 5 constantly promoting Harold Ford who’s only quality is the ability to be comfortable amongst them. Says really nothing after ‘good to be with you’.
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