Rubio: Trump won’t be our nominee because we’re not an angry nation

Hot Air ^ | August 26, 2015 | Ed Morrissey

[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.

[Truth29]

What?! Maybe Rubio is an alien - a space alien.

[RC one]

think again Marco.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

As a general rule, no, we are not an angry nation.

Was reading a western the other day and found something that fits.

"You see those men who just rode out of here? They are solid citizens. And when the solid citizens decide they have had enough it is time to leave."

The solid citizens have had enough.

[faithhopecharity]

first off, Trump’s candidacy goes far beyond “anger”

second, I am not so sure that ‘we aren’t an angry nation.’
INDEED... there are millions of people out here who are quite seriously angry...
angry at the treason in the WH
angry at the deliberate destruction of USA’s defenses, economy, and jobs
angry at his attacks on the church and Christian faith, Christians and Jews
angry at all his aiding and abetting the Islamonazi enemy, including financing them and shipping them all sorts of weapons

and angry at six+ years of being lied to ... nearly every da**ed day....one lie after the next

Come to think on it, there’s a whole LOT of anger in our country

[hsmomx3]

I swear, these people are not living in the real world.

[BigEdLB]

Trump isn’t just about anger. Lack of BS many of us find refreshing, and that is not necessarily anger.

[Ann Archy]

Hey RUBE, baby......we NEED to be ANGRY!!! We are a DOOMED country....an EVIL country.....we need SAVING!!!

[ballearthout]

I agree. There’s a lot of great people left in America, but America, as it currently exists, is not a great country. Its become a suicidal vegan Goth. Donald is the enema we so badly need.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Shows just how out of touch this guy really is.Sheesh

[dfwgator]

Who cares what Water Bottle Boy thinks.

[TexasFreeper2009]

Funny.. I dont even support Trump, but I dont think of him as “angry”

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

There is a great deal of anger in this country. So much that it is scary. And you are correct that if Rubio doesn’t see it, he’s not at all fit to be president. Thanks for putting it in those words! That’s a great insight.

[DoodleDawg]

Rubio: Trump won’t be our nominee because we’re not an angry nation

Yeah we are.

[Fiddlstix]

....Rubio’s betting that a positive vision combined with a tremendous talent for communicating it will eclipse anger and retribution.....

Click The Pic
Hey! Rubio! I’m as Mad as Hell! All Real Conservatives Are Mad As Hell! Here's A News Flash For You!
WE Voted GOP Last Time And You See What We Got Out Of That Deal! The GOP-E Sold Us Out!
That is Why TRUMP is Ahead In The Polls! He Doesn't Come Across Like A Wimp! A GOP-E Wimp!!
We Are Mad As Hell and We're not going to take it anymore. Go Pound Sand!

[COBOL2Java]

“There’s another gentleman [sip] running for president whose slogan is Make America Great Again[sip]. And I understand what he’s trying to say.[sip] But I would remind him that America is great.[sip] Ask yourself this question [sip]: who would you trade places with? Would you [sip] rather be China? Would you [sip] rather be Brazil or India or anyone else for that [sip] matter? There’s no nation on earth I’d [sip] trade places with. The issue’s not that America isn’t great.[sip] The issue is that America has the chance to be [sip] greater. And we’re not [sip] fulfilling our potential. [sip]”

[Don Corleone]

Marco baby still just doesn’t get it.

[EXCH54FE]

I'm not angry, but I am for Ted Cruz and Donald Trump!!!

I thought that “Rubio” Quit cause his Tin Cup was empty!!!
Or was that Jeb whatever his last name is.....

[crz]

WHAT-THE-EFF!?

Is wrong wit dis boy?

[98ZJ USMC]

No. No, he doesn’t get it at all. We’re very angry.

[jetson]

I think allot of these republican candidates have attended too many anger management classes.