“I never understood the fascination with Rubio”
I think because he is perceived as a magic talisman to reach Latins, just as Condoleeza Rice and before her, Colin Powell were expected to magically bridge the gap in communication between Republicans and most minorities. It is a flawed concept rooted the Bush 1 years.
Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp, Newt Gingrich and others were more correct in taking the longer and harder routes of explanation and persuasion.
Kemp? I hardly think so. He turned out to be a moralizing scold, a self-righteous supporter of illegal aliens who insulted and fought the Californians who passed Prop 187.
Other than that, yours is an excellent post.