Marco Rubio 2016 (1 Viewer)

[jamny]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/bobby_jindal_endorses_marco_ru.html#incart_2box_nola_river_orleans_news

Oof. Sorry, Rubio supporters. Jindal endorsed your guy. That can't be good.

yeah, Jindal and Santorum's endorsements are a negative. Really curious to see who Rand Paul endorses. On the most recent "audit the fed" bill, Rubio voted with Rand and Cruz was a no show.

He says he won't endorse anyone in the primaries but will fully support the eventual nominee

That makes sense. I don't blame him.

A number of his supporters have rallied behind Sanders

Some Sanders voters will go to Trump is it's Trump/Hillary

 

[Henry Ford]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/bobby_jindal_endorses_marco_ru.html#incart_2box_nola_river_orleans_news

Oof. Sorry, Rubio supporters. Jindal endorsed your guy. That can't be good.

yeah, Jindal and Santorum's endorsements are a negative. Really curious to see who Rand Paul endorses. On the most recent "audit the fed" bill, Rubio voted with Rand and Cruz was a no show.

He says he won't endorse anyone in the primaries but will fully support the eventual nominee

That makes sense. I don't blame him.

A number of his supporters have rallied behind Sanders

Some Sanders voters will go to Trump is it's Trump/Hillary

I guess some may. I don't think there will be a lot. They'll likely just stay home.

 

[jamny]

Some will though. Who knows how many.

 

[RBM]

Trump will run as an independent. You'll be fine.

Not a chance in hell.

 

[Mister CIA]

Trump will run as an independent. You'll be fine.

Not a chance in hell.

Not hard to imagine the chaos that would ensue in both Trump and Bloomberg ran as independents along with D & R nominees.

I'd say there is a chance.

 

[cstu]

So this guy's a big supporter of Corinthian Colleges? I guess he has to since they donated to his campaign, but that's gonna leave a mark.

"It has been brought to my attention that the U.S. Department of Education has recently placed extreme financial constraints on Corinthian Colleges, Inc. by restricting the company's timely access to federal financial aid.

A company fails while committing fraud and he still wants the federal government to give them money.

 

[apalmer]

If I were one of the news networks, I would move for an immediate debate with just those 3 candidates. Sorry to Kasich, Bush, Paul, Christie, Carson, but you need to go away now.

One state out of 50 that has very few electorates come November and you think they speak for the entire GOP? Are you like 25 and this is your first time potentially voting? I sometimes have to remember how young some of our teenage posters were back in 2005 when they came here. Anyone thinking the race is over because this one rather insignificant state has voted in 4 different directions.

 

[cstu]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

 

[Chadstroma]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.

I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

 

[cubd8]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

If he's your guy, a lack of experience is probably spun as a positive that he's not been turned into another Washington elite.

Anyone who think that Obama wasn't a legitimate candidate is an idiot. Same goes for people who question Rubio (or Cruz).

 

[cubd8]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.

I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

But there is no debate - he was born in Hawaii. That's a fact.

 

[Chadstroma]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.

I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

But there is no debate - he was born in Hawaii. That's a fact.

Ok.

 

[cubd8]

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/02/bobby_jindal_endorses_marco_ru.html#incart_2box_nola_river_orleans_news

Oof. Sorry, Rubio supporters. Jindal endorsed your guy. That can't be good.

yeah, Jindal and Santorum's endorsements are a negative. Really curious to see who Rand Paul endorses. On the most recent "audit the fed" bill, Rubio voted with Rand and Cruz was a no show.

He says he won't endorse anyone in the primaries but will fully support the eventual nominee

None of these endorsements matter. It gives the candidate something to talk about within a speech, but I don't think there is any shift based on what Rand Paul, or any other fringe candidate, endorses. Most endorsements are about the person giving the endorsement - I think it makes them feel as if they are somehow relevant. In most cases, nobody cares (or clearly not enough people to make a difference). There are always exceptions to my general rule of ignoring endorsements, but, bottom line, they generally don't matter.

 

[cubd8]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.

I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

But there is no debate - he was born in Hawaii. That's a fact.

Ok.

Do you agree with that fact or do you think somebody has a legitimate argument about Obama's birthplace?

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President?

It's just interesting that this is a question when they THINK he's born in another country - but it's not a question when they KNOW someone is born in another country.

 

[Chadstroma]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.

I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

But there is no debate - he was born in Hawaii. That's a fact.

Ok.

Do you agree with that fact or do you think somebody has a legitimate argument about Obama's birthplace?

Somehow I am getting the feeling that you did not read what I wrote.

 

[Chadstroma]

Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President?

It's just interesting that this is a question when they THINK he's born in another country - but it's not a question when they KNOW someone is born in another country.

You must be referring to Cruz since Marco Rubio was born in Florida.

There has been a lot of discussion about where you are born and what makes you a natural born citizen. McCain was born in Panama but hardly anyone would suggest that he was not a natural born citizen being born to two US citizens on a US military base. I think that this is an area that needs to be fleshes out more because it is widely open to interpretation based on outdated 18th century thinking of how you would be a citizen to a country and not the modern, small world that we have. But generally, I think natural born citizen is not about where you were born (though our current laws can make you one if born here) but rather were you always a US citizen via place of birth or birthright. I think you have a birthright via one parent being a US citizen but that must be acted on right away and not later in life (meaning, if your mother was a US citizen and you happen to be born in a foreign country but then don't move to the US until later in life and then submit for a US passport, SSN, etc- then you lost your natural born citizen status). I was never very interested in the birth certificate for Obama but I do think it is worthwhile to know how his father viewed the US and how that might influence the Presidents views of the US- but much more so at a minor level.

 

[Chadstroma]

Rubio has moved into 2nd in polling in NH, it looks like the mo has shifted in his favor as I predicted. Cruz is still close in 3rd and Kasich, Bush and Christie following after. Unless something surprising happens, I think Christie will not survive long after NH comes in. If Kasich gets 4th he may head to SC to see how things shape up and Bush may have the money to keep going regardless.

Rubio is going to have to play the balance between mo and expectations but a 2nd is good news for him and a win pretty much locks him as the nominee.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I hadn't paid much attention to Rubio until now, so I figure I'll look into his policy stances using the Google. If you Google a candidate's name, you get a little "On the issues" box that shows you quotes by the candidate on various issues (with links to the articles they're pulled from).

Immigration

Rubio wants to reform immigration by piecemeal legislation, not by one huge bill. He wants to secure our border and get illegal immigration under control, and he wants legal immigration to be based more on merit, less on family.

That all sounds fine to me as long as "secure our border" isn't code for any stupid Trump-like ideas. It doesn't appear to be (he took issue with Trump's statements about immigrants), but it's not exactly clear what it means. I suppose it means increasing funding (i.e., raising taxes) for border control. I'm not sure whether we're currently under-spending or over-spending on border security -- that seems like a complicated question. But in theory, I'm on board with taking cost-effective measures to better prevent illegal immigration while correspondingly increasing legal (and total) immigration. In theory, I also agree with making legal immigration more merit-based, but I'm sure the details are tricky (because family considerations can be important as well).

Bottom line: Google didn't show me any statements by Rubio on this issue that are obviously stupid.

Gun control

Rubio doesn't like gun control. He disagrees with President Obama's executive orders strengthening background checks. I'm not sure of the details of those executive orders and don't really have a position favoring or opposing them, but I find it disappointing that Rubio demagogues the issue by saying that Obama wants to "take away our guns." But, you know, politicians gonna politic.

Bottom line: Whatever.

Gay marriage

Rubio doesn't like gay marriage. That's lame. But at least he doesn't seem particularly rabid about it, and he's not calling for government officials to disobey the Supreme Court or anything; and he supports anti-discrimination laws protecting gays.

Bottom line: He sucks here, but not as much as Cruz et al.

Foreign policy

Rubio doesn't like the Iran deal. He's against ISIS. He likes Israel. He seems a little too interventionist and sanction-happy for my tastes, but foreign policy is hard and I don't have strong opinions about the right course of action in the difficult situations we face.

Bottom line: Meh.

Taxes

He wants to simplify the tax code, like everyone else in the world. He appears to want more tax credits or deductions for having kids ('if corporations get deductions for investing in equipment, why don't families get deductions for investing in children?' - paraphrase). He wants to cut taxes on businesses.

Bottom line: He doesn't seem to have enough of a plan to make it possible to evaluate him on this topic, but what's there (cuts for families and businesses) would seem to reduce revenues, thus increasing the deficit and debt unless there are corresponding reductions in spending (which pretty much never happen).

Health care

He doesn't like Obamacare. Beyond that, the quotes from Google suggest a rather Trumpian plan to make everything fantastic without offering any specifics.

Bottom line: Who knows?

Economy

Supports the TPP. Doesn't think minimum wage hikes are the best way to relieve poverty. Thinks going to college and majoring in philosophy is not always better than going to a trade school.

Bottom line: There's a lot of generic "we need more and better jobs" rhetoric with few specifics, but the few specifics he does offer seem good to me.

Crime

Wants to enforce federal laws against using marijuana. He's concerned about racial profiling and relationships between cops and communities.

Bottom line: Mixed bag, but I think he's dead wrong about the War on Drugs, which I consider to be an extremely important issue.

Environment

He says he's not a climate-change denier, but who is he kidding? He opposes numerous current and proposed environmental regulations on the grounds that their costs exceed their benefits. I have no idea whether he's right or wrong about that, but he's right to consider both costs and benefits.

Bottom line: Are there any Republicans who depart from the party line on this subject? I don't think so. That's a potential reason not to vote Republican -- though Rubio doesn't seem worse than the others.

***

I also skimmed over the stuff on education, national security, entitlements, and energy, but I won't summarize those.

Overall: I'd certainly vote for Rubio over Trump or Cruz. I'd likely vote for Rubio over Hillary. I'd have to give more thought to Rubio versus Bernie. The little I've seen of Rubio in debates and interviews suggests that he's a likable, intelligent, reasonable-minded fellow. On the issues, I agree with him in some areas and disagree in others -- I don't think his nomination would energize me to go to the polls, either to vote for him or to vote against him.

 

[jamny]

Nice write-up MT...

I find myself wavering from time to time in my support for Rubio, mostly due to his inexperience, but I keep coming back because I don't see a better option. If not him, it would have to be Trump and I'm not ready to make that leap yet. Hopefully I won't have to.

 

[cobalt_27]

I hadn't paid much attention to Rubio until now, so I figure I'll look into his policy stances using the Google. If you Google a candidate's name, you get a little "On the issues" box that shows you quotes by the candidate on various issues (with links to the articles they're pulled from).

Environment

He says he's not a climate-change denier, but who is he kidding? He opposes numerous current and proposed environmental regulations on the grounds that their costs exceed their benefits. I have no idea whether he's right or wrong about that, but he's right to consider both costs and benefits.

Bottom line: Are there any Republicans who depart from the party line on this subject? I don't think so.

Lindsey Graham

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/06/08/3667066/graham-cnn-climate-change/

 

[[scooter]]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.

I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

But there is no debate - he was born in Hawaii. That's a fact.

Ok.

Obama can't prove he was born in Hawaii, just like McCain couldn't prove he was really born on a U.S. military base.

 

[Rove!]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Not one to have had the vitriol for Obama based on this but there are differences. The position of those that bring up Obama's background is really in two things 1) Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President? 2) His father was a foreigner who they believe hated the US and all it stood for.I am not forwarding those arguments but even if you believe in them there is a difference between that and someone whose parents immigrated to the US and he was born in the US.

But there is no debate - he was born in Hawaii. That's a fact.

Ok.

Obama can't prove he was born in Hawaii, just like McCain couldn't prove he was really born on a U.S. military base.

Obama proved it with the long form birth certificate, which is the general practice for all Americans when asked for validation on their place of birth.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Was he born in the US and if not does that meet Constitutional law in terms of qualification for President?

It's just interesting that this is a question when they THINK he's born in another country - but it's not a question when they KNOW someone is born in another country.

You must be referring to Cruz since Marco Rubio was born in Florida.

I'm in all the political threads. I am not well.

 

[dschuler]

Bad night for Rubio, time to plan for the next state.

 

[RnR]

Yeah, that was not pretty. I'd say his camp is bracing for a 4th or 5th place finish in NH now.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Sorry I missed the bloodbath. It was inevitable, though. This dude's a joke.

 

[NREC34]

Obama knows what he's doing.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Rubio keeps talking about taking on Hillary but it's impossible for me to imagine him winning a debate against her.

 

[SoBeDad]

Sorry I missed the bloodbath. It was inevitable, though. This dude's a joke.

That's what all my Cuban friends said 6 months ago. He's been preparing for this for 3 years, 2 books, hundreds of books tours to raise money and memorize and refine talking points. Career politician. But until now, he's exceeded all expectations.

 

[jamny]

I've seen it coming for a couple of weeks now but I think tonight's performance was a nail in the coffin for me as far as supporting Rubio.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Sorry I missed the bloodbath. It was inevitable, though. This dude's a joke.

Cruz will probably tell people that Rubio is dropping out of the race.

 

[Henry Ford]

Sorry I missed the bloodbath. It was inevitable, though. This dude's a joke.

You knew this was coming as soon as Jindal endorsed him

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I think he has no chance. Then again I could go down the entire list of GOP candidates and tell you why I think each one of them have no chance - but it's got to go to somebody. It will be interesting to see how he handles the new level of scrutiny now that he's moving up in the polls.

Still my position.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Sorry I missed the bloodbath. It was inevitable, though. This dude's a joke.

You knew this was coming as soon as Jindal endorsed him

It does seem rather coincidental.

He's what I'd call a pre-existing condition.

 

[jamny]

Rubio keeps talking about taking on Hillary but it's impossible for me to imagine him winning a debate against her.

He's just not ready and he may never be. Every debate, I just kept waiting for him to loosen up and be real. Not such a politician. I don't think he can.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

The funny thing is I actually do think we should dispel with this this notion that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing. He know exactly what he's doing.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

The funny thing is I actually do think we should dispel with this this notion that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing. He know exactly what he's doing.

x4

 

[cstu]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

If he's your guy, a lack of experience is probably spun as a positive that he's not been turned into another Washington elite.

Anyone who think that Obama wasn't a legitimate candidate is an idiot. Same goes for people who question Rubio (or Cruz).

I don't have an issue with Rubio's experience - just calling out the hypocrisy of the '0bama' folks who aren't screaming 'Rubi0' now.

 

[joffer]

lightweight

 

[cobalt_27]

lightweight

Yup. Never understood the appeal or the stupidity of his supporters who can't see past the script written by others and recognize this guy has absolutely no idea what he's doing.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Glad he was exposed as the idiot he truly is. I think this process shows he isn't fit to be President and quite frankly the folks down here in Florida need to make him a 1 and done Senator.

 

[RnR]

Glad he was exposed as the idiot he truly is. I think this process shows he isn't fit to be President and quite frankly the folks down here in Florida need to make him a 1 and done Senator.

I'm more concerned that you seem to be oblivious to the fact that he has no intention of running for reelection in your state.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Rubio keeps talking about taking on Hillary but it's impossible for me to imagine him winning a debate against her.

I agree and Christie handed her the playbook. I could almost see a Lazio situation.

Otoh Christie got me thinking seeing Hillary grilled by a prosecutor on national tv might be worth it.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Yep, though technically Rubio had more experience in state government than Obama. This goes next to Cruz, who not only is not US born but actually has even less experience than Rubio, who was at least Speaker in FL.Still at least Obama could articulate things he had done, Rubio didn't even try on that score.

 

[Ilov80s]

So much vitriol towards Obama but Republicans seem fine electing a first term Senator whose parents weren't born in America.

Yep, though technically Rubio had more experience in state government than Obama. This goes next to Cruz, who not only is not US born but actually has even less experience than Rubio, who was at least Speaker in FL.Still at least Obama could articulate things he had done, Rubio didn't even try on that score.

No reason to even compare Rubio and Obama at this point. Obama is about 100x more intelligent, cooler and more articulate than Rubio. Obama never would have gotten trapped like that.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Jesus that was painful.

Q- So Senator Rubio, what do you think about abortion?

A- Obama knows exactly what hes doing

Q- So Senator Rubio,would you like to respond to Gov Christie saying you don't know what you're doing?

A- Obama knows exactly what hes doing

Q- Senator Rubio, would you bomb ISIS?

A- Obama knows exactly what hes doing

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

https://twitter.com/michellemalkin/status/696200138537107457

Malkin has a couple of gems from the debate.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Just watched that clip, and man that was that painful. I can't recall the last time I saw somebody get completely dismembered on live television that way.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

His "oops" moment.