The American Spectator : Rubio Wows Conservatives

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Rubio Wows Conservatives

A rising Republican star made a memorable national debut yesterday at the annual CPAC gathering in Washington, D.C.

In a rousing keynote speech yesterday before the faithful at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, former Florida House speaker Marco Rubio demonstrated to conservatives from around the country why he's captured the hearts and minds of so many Florida Republicans in his race for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat.

When Rubio announced his intention to run against moderate-to-liberal Florida Governor Charlie Crist, the Republican establishment was amused, and lined up behind the popular Crist. Big Money Men showered Crist with checks.

No one's laughing now as Rubio has surged from 50 points behind to, depending on which current poll you believe, a lead of between three to 14 points. Rubio has the mo, and it's because he has run an aggressive, retail campaign based on the conservative themes he wowed his politically savvy Thursday audience with.

Rubio praised America as the greatest country in the history of the world. He said our greatness, our exceptionalism, comes from our commitment to limited government, personal freedom, and the free enterprise system, all things our predecessors chose, fought and bled for, and that are being attacked now by the current leftist administration and Congress. He said we need to send people to Washington who will offer and fight for a clear alternative to what is nothing less than a threat to America's continued greatness.

"What kind of America do you want your children to inherit," Rubio asked. "We must decide. Do we want to continue to be exceptional? Or do we want to be like everyone else?"

Rubio said our personal freedoms and the material bounty Americans have enjoyed are threatened by a clueless political class, too many of whose members believe the free enterprise system is unfair, who believe that America's enemies exist because of something we did, who believe the answer to everything is more government, and who while they frequently invoke "democracy," are in fact contemptuous of personal freedom.

"People who think this way were elected in 2008," Rubio said. "They're using the downturn as cover, not to fix America but to change America, to fundamentally redefine the role of government in our lives and the role of America in the world."

And the result for most Americans has not been "change we can believe in." In less than a year, Americans have figured out what's going on and are now engaged in what Rubio calls "the single greatest political pushback in American history."

Rubio wants to be part of that pushback and, without mentioning his opponent's name, made it clear he believes Crist isn't up to this challenge.

"America wants leaders to stand up to that agenda, not be co-opted by it," Rubio said. "The U.S. Senate already has one Arlen Specter too many. America already has a Democratic Party. We don't need two Democratic Parties."

This is a clear reference to the fact that Crist whooped-up President Obama's failed "stimulus" slush fund before it was adopted, supported a carbon cap and trade program like the president's, and has frolicked over the past two years with other liberal programs and spending schemes in order to show how "bipartisan" he is.

But mostly Rubio's target was Obama and the liberal Congress rather than Crist. Rubio said at the national level we need to simplify the tax code and lower taxes for everyone, lower corporate income taxes so American companies can be competitive, eliminate "double taxation" such as capital gains taxes and the death tax altogether, and generally get out of the way of the free enterprise system rather than shackling it, or trying to replace it with government command and control, which the Obama bunch is busy doing.

"Jobs aren't created by politicians," Rubio said. "They're created by people who risk money to start a business or to expand an existing one."

Rubio, who has expressed skepticism about the global warming theory and its attendant horrors, said we should "stop big government energy mandates like cap and trade and instead rely on the American innovator to make us energy independent."

Rubio said we need to reduce federal spending and get serious about getting the national debt under control. We should enact "lawsuit abuse reform." He said these issues are so important and so consequential that "2010 is not just a choice between Democrat and Republican, but a referendum on the very identity of our nation."

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topics:
U.S. Senate Races 2010, Marco Rubio, CPAC

About the Author

Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (32) | Leave a comment

CB IVey| 2.19.10 @ 7:12AM

Wow! What a relief! Maybe the GOP will finally get back to the basics of what it means to be a conservative.

Does this seem eeriely similar to anyone? A break out speech at a national convention, followed up with a short stay in the Senate, then on to the highest seat in the land. Plus he must be hispanic. What a great way to capture the hispanic vote.

Alan Brooks| 2.19.10 @ 5:18PM

Let's not be cynical; we will reinvigorate conservatism, live happily ever after, and all go to heaven.

The cat's in the bag, me buckoes, yer Aye!

generic Brand| 2.22.10 @ 2:16AM

While I like a lot of what Rubio says, I don't find solace in his comments about terrorism. This article didn't allude too much to it, but if he wants to fight terrorism until we win that is an economic recipe for disaster and quite possibly a national security recipe for something bad as well.

It's anathema to fiscal conservative to be a warmonger as well, whether it's War on Terror, War on Drugs, or War on Poor Education. I wish more people could understand that.

Stuart| 2.19.10 @ 7:20AM

Rubio will win handily in November - I live in FL and there is NO enthusiasm for Crists - he is an empty suit with a tan.

People like Rubio will lead this nation out of the muck created by the political class of both parties.

Obama sure isn't going to lead us out of this.

JimmyGene| 2.19.10 @ 7:38AM

Crist should change his name to "Crisp," as in "toast."

Republican Voter in Leesburg, Florida

Melvin| 2.19.10 @ 7:41AM

"Ay Carumba" It is refreshing to know that there is still male politicians out there that has a set of cojones and isn't afraid to act like a man and speak exactly what is on their mind.
From what I have read about Mr. Rubio he seems that he is sincere in his Conservatism and he lives it every day unlike his Crist who pulls it out of the dust bin when it is politically expedient.
The younger generation of Conservatives appears to have finally broken down the door that the pseudo Conservatives placed in their paths.
Now if we can elect enough of these young fighters they can take the battle to the Liberals rather than planting big sloppy kisses all over them like Charley Crist seems so apt at doing.

Bruce| 2.19.10 @ 12:02PM

Exactly so, Melvin. Perhaps my pessimism of our younger generation is misplaced. Perhaps they actually do get it. I was happy to hear Rubio on Hannity the other night tell it exactly like it is as concerns the Muslim problem. This young man does get it. I believe in a few years we will see him on the national stage where he belongs.

martin j smith| 2.19.10 @ 7:57AM

What is needed to oppose the Left Agenda are people who are aggressive,articulate and asserive-unafraid of the MSM and the Left (including RINOS ) to stand up to them. Rubio is one.

Joan Wayne| 2.19.10 @ 8:09AM

At last people are seeing what I've been proporting for months. As a part time Floridian I've been proud to support Rubio but hard core Rep still wanted suntan Charlie. I was so happy to hear Rubio speak the thoughts of thousands of Floridians. He's gonna be our next "star" as he puts it to the American people. To paraphrase Jeff Bridges song in "Crazy Heart", do you want to be somebody or do you want to be somebody else? I'll take the latter!!!!

Anthony| 2.19.10 @ 10:17AM

First Christie 's give them hell budget speech in N.J. and now Rubio's at CPAC. WOW, I mean WOW. As V.P. Cheney said at CPAC, it's time for the next generation of conservtives to step up.
Add Ms. Cheney (who gave a knock out speech at CPAC) and sister Sarah to this mix, and that wave coming at the Leftists is actually a sunami.
P.S. Gotta love the V.P's line about Obama, our mantra should now be, as they say during March Madness, Obama is ONE AND DONE.

Max Quad| 2.19.10 @ 11:16AM

A breath of fresh air!!! There is still hope. Springtime in America is now.

Franklin| 2.19.10 @ 11:43AM

I'll trade both my MN senators for one of him!

Bruce| 2.19.10 @ 12:05PM

Can we assume that our resident lefty trolls are over at Kos and Moveon gathering some talking points before coming here to make asses of themselves?

occamsrazor7| 2.19.10 @ 12:42PM

Living in Florida I have watched Rubio's Rise. He is what independent conservatives, like myself, want in our elected representatives. No more Charlie "Chameleon" Crists. Out with all incumbents period.

tj| 2.19.10 @ 2:02PM

Go Marco....we now need 524 more like this

tj| 2.19.10 @ 2:10PM

Marco gets it in a big way... more than I can say for Obayme, Puglosi, Reedunidiot

Al Adab| 2.19.10 @ 2:54PM

Continually it becomes ever more clear that One: Republicans are not synonomous with Conservatives and Two: Conservatives will be backing candidates on an individual, rather than party basis.

While it is likely that most, if not all, of those candidates will be Republican, not all Republicans will get Conservative support. The Movement has found its spine and refuses any longer to "settle for the lesser of two evils." The GOP has disappointed and indeed betrayed the Conservative movement in the past, but no longer. While Conservatives bring the GOP success, GOP success clearly has not favored the Conservatives. In fact, all too often, Cons get the blame when RINOs act like what they are. The Left still call all Reps "Conservatives", but that is simply not true. We cannot allow the opposition to define us, our policies or principles any longer. Words have meaning.

"Let's grow up Conservatives. If we want to take this party back,..." . B. Goldwater 1960

Deborah D| 2.20.10 @ 6:01AM

Well said, Al. I'm with you.

Hardcard| 2.19.10 @ 4:29PM

Thank God for Marco and his parents,true Americans.

Liberty or Death| 2.19.10 @ 7:46PM

I like this guy a lot. Finally, a politician who knows who he answers to. Perhaps the tide is turning...

Back to the Constitution, come hell or high water!

Rubio! Rubio! Rubio!

ATLmedia| 2.19.10 @ 9:11PM

Did he use a teleprompter?
---
'NY 23' ...happy memories-I say go for it
Teabaggio ;-(8)

Nelson H.| 2.19.10 @ 9:57PM

Is it just me or has anyone noticed how much this guy resembles young Marlon Brando? Reminds me of Marc Antony addressing the mourners at Caesar's funeral.

Osamas Pajamas| 2.20.10 @ 6:42PM

This registered California libertarian and atheist would crawl over broken glass to vote for a Marco Rubio, here, or anywhere else --- for the same reasons that I would do likewise for Sarah Plain, Dick or Liz Cheney, or Ann Coulter. There are still some doofuses [sp?] on either side of the libertarian-conservative divide who think that a reasonable alliance is not possible, and they are wrong. We won't get the sea change that we need without first turning the tide --- and that will take all of us, who advocate liberty, prosperity and peace for every American.

John II| 2.21.10 @ 12:03AM

The origin of the term "doofus" is obscure, although probably related to the Scots "doof," meaning "fool."

I'd prefer "doofi" as the plural on the Latin analogy of "alumnus, alumni"--which would carry through the apparent morphological humor if indeed the source of "doofus" is "doof."

But the analogical leveling is attested by the word's usage, so that, yes, "doofuses" is the correct and correctly spelled plural.

We shall have much use for the word in the coming months, so it's good to get these little details straight. I shall attend to your religious conversion later, PJ; meanwhile we both have some important political ass-kicking to do.

To paraphrase Churchill: We of the Allied Conservative Forces have joined in a great struggle against a common foe, and together . . . we shall CRUSH the Obama renegades!

Margie| 2.20.10 @ 8:18PM

Why, Osama's PJ's~~ you are one of most reasonable atheists I have ever seen!
Kudos to you. I'm glad you're on the Right side.

Liberty or Death| 2.22.10 @ 2:24PM

Seriously? Sexy underwear and DVD burner links/solicitations? I'm all for sexy underwear. But come on! This is hardly the venue.

What the heck is this? Craigslist!

Is nothing sacred anymore?

MitchB| 2.22.10 @ 6:32PM

Wow! I'm from Massachusetts - you're very welcome - but this guy Rubio is certainly as good if not better than Scott Brown. I'll take them both.
I'll say it. Of course it's early. Either one is extremely presidential. The more of these guys the better!

Alex| 2.25.10 @ 6:13AM

The main reason for Crist's drop in the polls are rumors of his sexual preference.

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