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.

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Crist has tried to downplay the butt-whupping Rubio has administered in these votes of people who are the most active in the party, presumably know the most about him, and who are the type of folks who would go through snow (if we had it here), rain, fire, floods, or hurricanes to vote on primary day. These are just a small number of voters and "the only poll that matters is the one on election-day and I can't wait," Crist has said in what has to be one of the purest examples of whistling past the grave-yard on record.

In the eighties, Reba McIntire had a great country hit, the refrain to which is, "How blue, can you make me?" In Florida, the answer seems to be "not-very." The Sunshine State, which went for the little hustler from Chicago by two points in '08, seems to be over its dalliance with leftism. The same polls that show the solidly conservative candidate ahead in the Republican primary race show that Rubio would also comfortably defeat any of the Democrats now running in the general if the election were held now.

But aye, there's the rub. The primary isn't until August, the general in November. Months are lifetimes in politics, and things can always change. But right now there's every indication that the keynote speaker for the 37th annual CPAC will represent Florida in the Senate beginning in 2011. By the way, the keynote speaker for the first CPAC in 1973 was an obscure western governor named Ronald Reagan. And he did OK too.

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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.

xzcvxc| 5.6.10 @ 11:03PM

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