Posted on 04/13/2015 3:07:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
If you stripped the proper nouns from all profiles about 2016 presidential candidates, the ones about Marco Rubio would be the easiest to identify. While most candidates have one adjective that is always appended to their name, the Florida senator who just announced his campaign today has three.
He is young.
He is ambitious.
He is charismatic.
The fact that Rubio is only a few months younger than Senator Ted Cruz, or that his most memorable performance on the national stage was less than charismatic, or that all presidential candidates are by definition ambitious has not lessened the frequency at which he is described by these terms. These three less-than-insightful descriptions are probably unconsciously inserted into every appraisal of the candidate at this point, as much a part of his identity as if his name were Marco "Young Ambitious Charismatic" Rubio.
That doesn't mean the world needs to keep doing this forever. It's time to take a stand and find new ways of describing Rubio now that he's an official presidential candidate. America deserves better.
Below, explore the findings of Daily Intel's third investigation into the words people unfailingly use to describe 2016 candidates, in an effort to retire the adjectives from campaign coverage forever.
NPR "Marco Rubio, the charismatic, Hispanic, young (and even younger looking) freshman senator from Florida is launching his campaign for the White House Monday in Miami."
The Los Angeles Times "After the GOP’s stinging 2012 presidential loss, strategists prescribed the charismatic, young tea party favorite as the antidote to a fractured party — someone who could even expand the base by attracting Latino voters."
AFP "Youthful, charismatic, and articulate on several issues, Rubio hopes to transcend the Republican Party's reputation for difficulty in connecting with young, Hispanic or African-American voters."
Fox News Latino "Professor Marco Rubio: The other side of the ambitious senator"
The Week "On paper, Rubio is a great candidate: young, charismatic, Latino, with an inspiring life story. "
The Miami Herald "The central challenge for Rubio is will voters again trust a young, charismatic politician whose world experience has been centered in government."
The Tampa Bay Times "The ambitious Floridian is now spared the intense scrutiny and pressures of a national campaign."
National Journal "Most significantly, Rubio is one of the field's strongest retail politicians. He's youthful, charismatic, and can deliver an engaging speech."
The Washington Post "Next week, it’s Marco Rubio’s turn. The 43-year-old senator from Florida and charismatic son of immigrants plans to declare himself a GOP candidate for president on April 13 at Miami’s iconic Freedom Tower, which served as the first stop for Cuban exiles, before an enthusiastic crowd that embodies America’s ethnic melange."
The Daily Beast "Rubio is a young, charismatic Cuban-American from a crucial swing state where he is beloved by conservatives."
The Atlantic "He'd provide the Romney ticket with youth and charisma, Tea Party credentials, and sway in the critical swing state of Florida -- not to mention being the first Hispanic to sit on a major party ticket."
Christian Science Monitor "Young and charismatic, Marco Rubio burst onto the national scene in 2010 when he defeated then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist to become the junior senator from Florida."
Sun Sentinel "He doesn't register much in polls, but supporters insist that Rubio's attributes -- he's a Hispanic with youth, charisma and a can-do conservatism - - are the perfect prescription for what ails the Republican Party."
Slate "On the final night of the Republican Convention, the young and charismatic Florida Sen. Marco Rubio got the honor of introducing Mitt Romney. "
ABC News "Not only is he young, charismatic and wildly popular with conservatives, but he could also help Republicans win a key state (Florida) and make inroads with Hispanics."
National Review "To no one’s surprise, the push to put Rubio on the 2012 ticket only increased, even though the charismatic freshman continues to swat away the chatter."
Yahoo News "Young, Hispanic and ambitious, Rubio had just forced former Gov. Charlie Crist, a moderate Republican, from Florida’s GOP Senate primary, seizing the party’s nomination."
The Times "Another Clinton presidency would be 'a death blow to the American dream,' one of the most ambitious Republican presidential hopefuls has claimed."
Marco Rubio “I have been ambitious for worldly success. I hope I have been for the right reasons.”
That’s why they call her pantsuit Ole Crusty!
I believe has Rubio learned his lesson and am willing to give him a look. And I’m a very strong supporter of first securing the border and guest worker permits for illegals second with strong enforcement for both. A path to citizenship? Get to the back of the line.
As the primary campaign goes on, I hope that every thread doesn’t turn into a mini-bugzapper thread. I would reserve that treatment for Jeb Bush who is already pandering to illegals and pushing common-core education for all.
I thought it was a poor speech. Nothing but boilerplate. He did everything but come out with a baseball, a hot dog and an apple pie.
Rubio is weak. Not presidential material. Plus he’s a backstabber.
We can say that here on FR, but if you think any major party candidate is going to say that in front of a camera, you're unfortunately dreaming.
Jeff Sessions will. Of course I’m convinced he’s the last American patriot left in Congress.
California keeps them because they are so juicy
what, no Chevrolet?
I’m not supporting him... I’m for Cruz, but so far no one said that they are deportation. If someone does...then I’ll say I’m impressed.
OK... I wasn’t around for much of Ike’s term (I was less than 1 1/2 years old when he left), so I stand corrected. We need another Ike.
Lol...funny...
How do you ‘secure the border’ if you do not deport foreign nationals who are here illegally?
40% of the illegals in the United States came here on visitor visas and never returned home. How exactly would ‘securing the border’ touch them?
The only thing most illegals want is for the situation to remain just as it is. They live here, work here, get all sorts of welfare benefits here, and they don’t have to bother with all sorts of laws and regulations that we do.
If you want to ‘secure the border’ and effectively lock the door behind them they are all for it. They may even throw a party in your favor.
Oh we don’t keep our illegals. We share them with the rest of the country. And we import more to replace the ones we send you.
Would you prefer MS-13, Surenos, Nortenos, White Fence Gang? We have them all and so will you.
If you’re quick you can tie up the spray paint franchise, because graffiti is a major part of the new culture we will be sending you. Enjoy.
I will say this about Rubio, he is the best speaker both in speeches and in interviews.
One thing that Cruz (who is a very good speechifier over all ) should lose, is that little “tee-hee” giggle he puts out every time he gets some applause. Lots of times it comes out when speaking of deadly serious issues, and it just seems inappropriate.
Illegals will get no breaks under Cruz. And I have no doubt that he will stop the flow. Can’t say the same for any of the others.
Being sardonic of course... the swarm can and does stray. It looks for anywhere that’s lefty and settles in.
YAWN
Traitorous Empty Suit
It's worse than that actually. They enjoy being a protected class….But you're right. The last thing they want is more competition coming from behind them.
Everything I've read on Rubio -other that the standard bashing hyperbole- is that Rubio supports a border security first approach. That is as good as we are going to get and if it's done correctly we should see a larger version of an AZ SB1070 style exodus.
Agreed. I don't like his experience level compared to some of the others who are running, but he is a good speaker and expresses conservative economic principles as well as anyone. His "American Dream" story is a big plus. I also liked the way he made fun of himself after taking heat for drinking water during the SOTU rebuttal a few years back. I would think young people, especially Latinos, would find him compelling.
Presidential material - maybe not, but VP definitely. I'd still like to see him run and win the Florida governorship.
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