Posted on 01/01/2016 6:14:56 PM PST by VinL
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said this week he isn't ready to endorse anyone for the Republican presidential nomination, but he described Florida’s Marco Rubio as "one that I really do like."
"The reason I say that is he's so knowledgeable," Inhofe said. "I'd love to see him in a debate with Hillary (Clinton) just for my own personal entertainment."
Rubio is running third to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in most national polling, but he is favored by many traditional Republicans. In Oklahoma, he has the endorsements of several legislators as well as Oklahoma City energy tycoon Larry Nichols and 2nd District Congressman Markwayne Mullin.
Rubio has yet to campaign in Oklahoma, and Inhofe acknowledged Wednesday that Rubio "hasn't moved as much as he should have" nationally, but was otherwise complimentary.
Inhofe's warm words for Rubio came as some conservatives criticized his vote for the omnibus funding bill Congress passed two weeks ago. Inhofe says the agreement included Democratic concessions on at least 10 key issues, but critics say congressional Republicans weren't aggressive enough in negotiations.
Among those most vocally opposed to the bill was Cruz, who counts 1st District Congressman Jim Bridenstine,— the only member of the Oklahoma delegation to vote against the omnibus, among his closest allies.
Cruz campaigned in Tulsa and Oklahoma City last week and has devoted more attention to the state than any other GOP candidate.
In addition to Rubio, Inhofe lent some support to Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who remains in the race for the GOP nomination but continues to poll in the single digits.
"I was in a Bible study with him for eight years and know him intimately," Inhofe said. "For some reason, there’s something about him that just hasn't sold. If you look at all the governors and former governors in the field, he's done far more than any of the others. And besides, he’s from Ohio."
Ohio is among the handful of swing states that generally decide presidential elections.
The RINOs are coming out of the woodwork!
Ah, so he’s part of the Cheap Labor Express as well.
Good to know.
Oklahoma could have the two most radical conservatives in the senate. Instead they have two RINOs. It proves the strangle the establishment has on elections.
Jim “how much will you give me to say what you want” Inhofe.
Gonna need a lot for his primary challenge.
2. Rubio would do good against Hilliary in a debate. So would most others, and will.
3. Lending Kasich support, and feigning ignorance about what "about him" hasn't sold to the Republican electorate, is unacceptably stupid, beyond even my threshold.
Hey Inhofe, thanks for signing your political death warrent.
Tea Party wave comin’ over the nation.
I’ve been voting for Inhofe for over forty years and he hasn’t changed. He may not be perfect but he isn’t a sellout.
What does this Senator Insider supposed to mean? Inhofe is about as far from an insider as you can get.
In a TRUE debate, Cruz is the man.
If Inhofe really doesn't understand why Rubio "hasn't sold" to conservatives, he's a fool. Rubio is a traitor, and if a pro-Amnesty liberal like Jeb/Rubio/Hillary is the next president, America will not exist as a free and prosperous country eight years from now (or ever again in history). "I'll say nice things on some topics, but I'll also destroy your country" just isn't a winning sales pitch.
“...Rubio is running third to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in most national polling, but he is favored by many traditional Republicans....”
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The above statement is true IF you replace “traditional Republicans” with “RINOs”.
Then why is he supporting Mr. Schumer/Amnesty? And why did he vote for the Obama’s omnibus bill???
I don’t know much about this guy, but one thing I do know is that everyone in D.C. should have one plan and that’s to shut up and not get noticed. He is not very bright.
You need to get your facts right. You’re coming across like a Trump cultist.
https://www.bing.com/search?pc=AMAZ&form=AMAZWB&q=inhofe+amnesty
Inhofe may still be fooled by Rubio, but I’ll never forgive Marco for being Shumer’s lackey.
Inhofe...is a RINO.
Don’t attack me for affirmatively asserting the record, to which you do not reply.
He supported Obama’s just passed budget. Yes or No?
He supports Rubio, who was a part of Schumer’s Gang of Eight. Yes or no?
You vote for a guy who’s a career politician for 40 years, -— and I’m the cultist?
Rubio’s priorities are his “Raza”, open borders, Amnesty, and lying.
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