No problem.
Posted on 08/26/2015 3:04:21 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Is Marco Rubio sure about that? The 2016 cycle appears ready to boil down to the question of whether the US electorate is an angry one. Rubio’s betting on no — and strategizing on it as well:
In his stump speech to fewer than 100 people in the northern part of the second presidential nominating contest, Rubio gently poked at the real estate tycoon who is towering over the Republican field in the polls, portraying Trump’s message as one of anger as opposed to the senator’s message of hope and opportunity.
“There’s another gentleman running for president whose slogan is Make America Great Again. And I understand what he’s trying to say. But I would remind him that America is great,” Rubio said. “Ask yourself this question: who would you trade places with? Would you rather be China? Would you rather be Brazil or India or anyone else for that matter? There’s no nation on earth I’d trade places with. The issue’s not that America isn’t great. The issue is that America has the chance to be greater. And we’re not fulfilling our potential.”
Well, perhaps that may be true by the time the primaries begin in early 2016, but the summer of 2015 suggests something different — and not just among Republicans. Bernie Sanders has become the Democrats’ Trump without even being a registered Democrat. The socialist rhetoric from which the Democratic establishment has mainly shied over the past few decades turns out to be a big hit this year. This cycle, at least in the early stages, reflects a rising populism in the country that spreads across the political spectrum, and populism definitely comes with an angry edge. At least, it does this year.
Nonetheless, Rubio’s so convinced of this that he’s demurring on battling Donald Trump, or anyone else. Trump took a shot at Rubio for not attacking Jeb Bush, which Rubio shrugged off. Instead, Rubio told reporters, he wants to focus on his own message and let voters decide for themselves:
(VIDEO-AT-LINK)
Rubio brushed it off Wednesday when asked about it. “I’m running for president. I’m not running against anybody,” he said. “I’ll continue to talk about my message.”
That’s a smart move for Rubio, and for the other Republican candidates as well. Both Rand Paul and Jeb Bush have tried frontal attacks on Trump, which plays right into Trump’s confrontational strategy. Bush has plenty of resources to sustain himself even if his numbers drop, but Paul’s all but disappeared from view after attacking Trump in the debate. It’s akin to the film War Games — the only way to win is not to play. Rubio’s smart enough to figure that out.
That still leaves the question as to whether a Republican can survive in this field without giving vent to the obvious anger within the electorate. Rubio’s betting that a positive vision combined with a tremendous talent for communicating it will eclipse anger and retribution. That was true in 1980, and perhaps might be true now, but it’s no sure thing, either.
"Disgust" is a better description of our mood, and that is what I feel toward Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Rubio, Jeb, and everyone else who supports Obamacare, Amnesty, or restrictions on the individual right of all people to keep and bear arms.
Serious reflection and introspection? How about serious thinking?
Trump has a lot in common with Obama - egotist, narcissist, and no fundamental set of core values. There is no indication he is a constitutionalist or that he wants to be ruled by it.
Better than O? Of course. A million times. But not one to lead us back value-wise.
The horror we have experienced over the last 6 years has everyone screaming for anybody they think can be a true leader to take us away from the disaster O has been. But many would take a tyrant who looked to be O’s opposite - which Trump is in many ways.
And there’s still the issue - can Trump beat Hillary? - IF she isn’t destroyed by her email scandal........ or any other Dem? I’m not sure.
One point someone else made that has value: Trump will never go into a deal he thinks he might lose. His ego will allow it, and especially at the biggest thing he has ever tackled. If he doesn’t see clearly that he can beat any Dem, I believe he’ll drop out - and support any conservative nominee. And that’s the same reason he won’t run 3rd party. He’d lose. And Trump doesn’t lose.
I’m hoping Trump is setting up Cruz.
We are not an angry nation?
Where’s he been hiding.
I swear, it seems like every day Rubio says something even stupider than the day before.
got to steal your post...spot on friend.
we are not an angry nation. We are a furious at the establishment GOP and political class like jbush, Rubio, Huckabee, perry, etc. etc.
“The guy had such promise until he went off the rails and lacks the good sense to get back on.”
Exactly! I couldn’t have said it better.
Bumping for later with all the great comments.
The left is perpetually outraged, the right is completely disenfranchised and ticked off about it. What country is Rubio addressing when he says “we are not an angry nation”?
Thank you.
Thank you.
I suspect that, truth be told, many of our nation’s “leaders” would be lynched tomorrow if people thought they could get away with it. Rubio is clueless. From what I’ve seen and heard the last few years, what people are feeling toward the ticks in government is beyond anger. It’s rage.
The average Americans is BROILING WITH FURY!
No Marco, were not “angry” - We’re PISSED OFF!
Rubio lives in the bubble where the consultants all say the voters don’t like angry—especially that voters are afraid of conservatives who appear angry. Make nice. Smile. Always go for that “new tone.” Reach across the aisle.
This is why the birthers have been treated like lepers. If Obama is an illegal alien—and he is—then you might need to do something MEAN, like remove him from office, arrest him, try him, etc.
Got news for ya, Marco -— I’m mad as hell and I’m not taking it any more!
Ok, Marco “Gang of Eight” Rubio.
Yeah, we’re not angry at all.
Especially with the Gang of Eight.
We’re not angry at that, at all.
Yes GOP, the base is past angry and one loud mouth attention hound is giving it to everyone in politics and the media.....his following is growing because you are too stupid to understand what is needed.
If you had let Trump be Trump and not attacked him and backed a true conservative he would have trumped himself by now, but no, now his following is becoming real instead of entertainment.
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