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How Marco Rubio Might Win Back Us Conservatives
Townhall ^ | 10/12/2015 | Kurt Schlichter

Posted on 10/12/2015 7:59:53 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

I want to support Marco Rubio, but today I can’t. He may not have burned all his bridges to us conservatives, but he charred the hell out of them with his flirtation with the Gang of Eight and his disingenuous embrace of amnesty. Right now, a huge and decisive bloc of conservatives will not vote for him. So, can he ever win us back?

Maybe. That depends on him. Entirely on him.

Rubio has plenty going for him. For one thing, he can talk – Rubio can put a sentence together without sounding like he’s in a cage match with the English language. He’s handled the baiting by that oaf Trump with aplomb and good humor – you can tell he’s been effective because The Donald has gone off to bully other targets.

Rubio comes off as personally likeable, though a bit goody-goody, like he’ll cry if he gets an A- on his history quiz. Sure he’s young, but everyone looks young compared to the Democrats’ commie cryptkeeper contingent.

Substantively, especially on foreign policy, Rubio is really sharp. He sounds like a president. You know the Democrats fear him because their media minions tried to kneecap him early on – “Psst, did you hear? Rubio bought a boat!”

Oh, and his wife is hot.

Critically, in a time where branding is crucial, he’s not an orange-hued, bourbon-swilling Anglo who comes off like an unfun version of Rodney Dangerfield’s Al Cervik from Caddyshack. Next year, the Republican candidate is going up against some version of a painfully white, doddering socialist, and it would be nice to have a contrast to whatever member of the cadaver caucus the libs settle on.

Let’s face it – the Cuban thing is good. But that’s not because of the bizarre notion that his being of Cuban descent is going to win over everyone with a remotely Latin surname – having married into a Cuban family, I know that being Cuban may well hurt him with some sub-sets of Hispanicdom. No, the Cuban thing is good because it demonstrates that being a Republican doesn’t mean having to come off like the guy who owned the local Buick dealership back in 1965. And it is part of a powerful and compelling back story. Aspiring American-by-choice immigrates, works hard, and his son runs for president. God bless America.

Funny how immigration went from being an asset to his only real liability. But it’s a huge liability that is going to sink his candidacy if he doesn’t unscrew what he screwed up.

Bottom Line: Marco, you can’t cavort with Chuck Schumer, push an amnesty bill, and be the Republican nominee without making amends to us conservatives for your utter, total, and comprehensive failure. You can’t rely on the Jeb! strategy of being the last guy standing, thinking conservatives will have no choice but to back you. Oh, they have a choice all right, and many will choose to burn it all down.

I would be supporting you today except for the amnesty thing. There are a lot of Republicans like me. Here’s how you win us back.

First, quit the denial. You supported amnesty … stop what you are about to say. You are about to say, “But it wasn’t amnesty,” and saying that is going to set me off like Carlo denying he set up Sonny set off Michael Corleone. It insults our intelligence.

You have to answer for your dissembling about what the Gang of Eight wanted to do. Here’s a pro tip: When you go on Univision, remember that a lot of us speak Spanish and are onto the “Right in English, left in Español” game. You were not straight with us. You treated us like we were stupid, and the second you start trying to explain how we really didn’t understand and blah blah blah we will tune you right back out again.

Say this: “I wanted to try and find a compromise to solve the illegal immigration problem. I was too trusting of Chuck Schumer and the Democrats – a mistake I won’t make again – and I let myself become a salesman for what was essentially amnesty. I was wrong.”

Now that you have cleared the air about the past, you can move on to the future, because right now the old Immigration Trustmeter is in the red. Say this: “Here’s where I stand. Illegal immigration is wrong. Illegal aliens should go home. Period. I will never support allowing any illegal alien who didn’t honorably serve in our military to become a U.S. citizen unless he goes home and reapplies to immigrate the right way – by respecting our laws. The first thing we must do is secure the border with Mexico with a Gulf to Pacific wall. Not a virtual wall. A wall wall, with enough guards to end the flow of illegal aliens.”

Choose a conservative venue with trusted, hardcore conservative figures to take your confession. Not some squishy publication, and not to spineless RINOs. You’ll have them nailed down regardless when Jeb! finally realizes that the dream is over and bails. You need to convince us, the conservatives, the Tea Partiers, the battlecons, Team Pitchfork N’ Torches, the guys who drove Cantor and Boehner out of the house. That’s the only way you might possibly receive our absolution.

Might possibly, because there are some of us you will never win back. That’s on you. Your torrid romance with the Gang of Eight and your weasally behavior therein demonstrates how easy it is to squander trust by abusing it. But some of us will give you a second chance if you demonstrate that you have learned from your grave mistake.

Make amends, then keep your word. Oh, and the ticket should be, in no particular order, you and Carly.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: 2016; 2016election; conservatism; dondi2016; election2016; florida; immigration; marcorubio; rube
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To: yoe

At least half the Republicans are socialists too, so what is the difference?

At least Bernie is honest about what he is about.


41 posted on 10/12/2015 8:35:27 AM PDT by Boogieman
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To: SeekAndFind

AmnestyMarco’s problem is his pro-amnesty stand when speaking to Hispanics and his ‘I saw the light and am a reformed conservative — honest’ stand when speaking to non-Hispanics.

AmnestyMarco speaks with twisted tongue.

It is a matter of trust. If elected, would he be the AmnestyMarco or the ‘I saw the light’ Marco?

Odds are 100 to 1 that it would be AmnestyMarco.

He still has that stench from stepping in the Gang of 8.


42 posted on 10/12/2015 8:40:59 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: SeekAndFind
Rubio and his mentor, Jeb, are toast, f’gedaboutit they are history.
43 posted on 10/12/2015 8:41:17 AM PDT by kenmcg
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To: SeekAndFind

“I want to support Marco Rubio, but today I can’t.”

I can’t today, tomorrow, or any day in the future! He’s a smarmy hispanic apologist. A more charming Luis Gutierrez. He and ¿YEB? can go run as a slate in Mexico.


44 posted on 10/12/2015 8:42:38 AM PDT by vette6387
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To: DaxtonBrown

“No way Jose.”

No, it’s this way Jose! Follow me!


45 posted on 10/12/2015 8:45:11 AM PDT by vette6387
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To: SeekAndFind

He could try sticking his head in the toilet and giving himself a good soak...
...Na, probably wouldn’t help.


46 posted on 10/12/2015 8:50:38 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: SeekAndFind

Crack down on illegal immigration. Except absolutely no one BELIEVES he would do it even if promised. So he’s toast.


47 posted on 10/12/2015 8:53:50 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: SeekAndFind

How easily he was manipulated by the Gang of 8 is a prime example of how easily he would likely be manipulated as president.

Shumer and McCain didn’t even work up a sweat to make Rubio the face of their latest comprehensive immigration attempt.


48 posted on 10/12/2015 8:59:52 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: SeekAndFind
Consider this quote:

“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor (read this as none other than Marco Rubio<\i>) moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he (Marco Rubio) speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he (Marco Rubio) wears their face and their arguments, he (Marco Rubio) appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He (Marco Rubio) rots the soul of a nation, he (Marco Rubio) works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he (Marco Rubio) infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor (Marco Rubio) is the plague.”

These incredibly prescient words were said by Marcus Tullius Cicero, the ancient Roman statesman … who lived from 106 B.C. to 43 B.C. Apparently some things never change.

49 posted on 10/12/2015 9:00:18 AM PDT by Stanwood_Dave ("Testilying." Cop's don't lie, they just Testily{ing} as taught in their respected Police Academy.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Too late. Not happening. Rubio is dead to me as a political candidate.


50 posted on 10/12/2015 9:01:44 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: SeekAndFind

LMAO!

Good one!

Maybe Marky should pick Ryan as his running mate too.


51 posted on 10/12/2015 9:02:12 AM PDT by chris37 (heartless)
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To: SeekAndFind

Senior Amnesty has a scarlet A burned on his forehead. He will NEVER be allowed back.


52 posted on 10/12/2015 9:02:20 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (Conservatism is truth. Liberalism is lies.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Say this: “I wanted to try and find a compromise to solve the illegal immigration problem. I was too trusting of Chuck Schumer and the Democrats – a mistake I won’t make again – and I let myself become a salesman for what was essentially amnesty. I was wrong.”

Nope. Rubio lied to get into office and immediately betrayed his voters. If he "evolves" on immigration again during this campaign, I'm not stupid enough to believe him. Rubio is dead to me. I will not under any circumstances vote for him. If Hillary wins, what's left of America after Obama will die quickly. If Rubio wins, what's left of America will die too, and only a little slower. Only someone who has opposed Amnesty, opposed gun grabbing, and opposed Obamacare since before this campaign cycle is even an option.

53 posted on 10/12/2015 9:03:20 AM PDT by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
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To: SeekAndFind
I will never support allowing any illegal alien who didn’t honorably serve in our military to become a U.S. citizen unless he goes home and reapplies to immigrate the right way – by respecting our laws

Illegal aliens are not allowed to serve in the US military. Does the author know this?

54 posted on 10/12/2015 9:10:32 AM PDT by kabar
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To: Oak Grove

I do agree with Schlicter that I want to like Marco Rubio. He’s glib, articulate and well in command of facts, but like you, I can’t get past the fact that he allied with not only Schumer, but also McCain, Flake, Graham, Durbin, Menendez and Bennet - none of whom I’d ever accuse of being the least bit conservative. Together, they paved the way for Obama’s “executive amnesty”. Furthermore, his comments about the Russian incursion into Syria make him sound like the personification of NEOCON and all it entails. In my mind, Russia is backing an ally in Syria and filling a power vacuum that we used to occupy - for good or bad. I’m sure Israel and other [former?] allies in the Middle East wish we’d take a similar stand on their behalf.


55 posted on 10/12/2015 9:29:22 AM PDT by ManHunter (You can run, but you'll only die tired... Army snipers: Reach out and touch someone)
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To: kabar

It is illegal for illegals to join the military, but at least 80 ‘dreamers’, who are illegal aliens have joined. Even though, Congress sets the rules and regulations of the military.


56 posted on 10/12/2015 9:36:22 AM PDT by Theoria (I should never have surrendered. I should have fought until I was the last man alive)
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To: SeekAndFind

Not a chance Kurt.


57 posted on 10/12/2015 9:59:26 AM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: all armed conservatives.)
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To: SeekAndFind

58 posted on 10/12/2015 10:06:59 AM PDT by AAABEST (Got Traditional Catholicism? - Angelqueen.org)
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To: SeekAndFind

Not me. He turned on his voters right after he took the oath.


59 posted on 10/12/2015 10:07:32 AM PDT by Dana1960
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To: SeekAndFind

Donald Trump is slowly but surely destroying Rubio just like he did Bush.

He points out Rubio has the worst attendance record, he sweats all the time and other things. That deal last week where trump sent him his own brand of Bottled Spring Water and the Towels was funny as all get out.

No Rubia cannot and will not get any traction, if he had any he would be doing better in his won state. Rubio woould do well to try and win re-election as a Senator, unless the guy who drank Goat Blood beats him.


60 posted on 10/12/2015 10:13:00 AM PDT by Captain Peter Blood
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