Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Peter Robinson ·
Aug 24, 2011 at 10:58am
Sen. Rubio spoke yesterday evening at the Reagan Library. The speech runs 23 minutes. If you have that much time, watch it all. And if you don't? Then just dip in at random. There's not a single flat or uninspiring moment in the entire address.
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Dec '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
I think I have found my man crush.
Mar '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Funnily enough, I was just watching it, via NRO.
It brought back memories of when I entered the USA as an immigrant, in 1985. I wasn't into politics in those days, and was only dimly aware of who the president was. It seemed to me just the way the american president was, and the way america was.
Although I didn't come from Cuba, I came from the UK and had seen socialism up close - I lost my job, as a result, and came to the US via Canada. So I could identify with Mr Rubio's grandfather, though I had followed a much more privileged path.
Since then, of course, the American dream has been lost in a sea of red ink and bureaucracy, and it falls on people like Mr Rubio to remind us that the current nightmare need not be unending - he is a great antidote to Mr Steyn!
But Mr Rubio is not yet running for president, so Mr Steyn may yet turn out to be right. That was the unanswered question in the speech - will the nightmare continue for another four more years, if our best potential candidates don't run?
Edited on Aug 24, 2011 at 11:41amMay '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
If he doesn't screw it up (e.g., scandals, extreme positions, etc.), he has a great chance to become president. It will do no one any good to try to push him into the ring before his time.
I was amazed to see some on the Right speculating that he should run this year because he is a good talker and handles himself well off-the-cuff, plus he is of an ethnic minority extraction- after two years in Federal office. Are you kidding me? This, after we already have experience with the other party doing exactly that?
I hope we don't ruin him by pushing too hard, too fast. He has a great future after the right period of seasoning.
Mar '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
I'll give it an 85%-90% on the Ronald Reagan "Time for Choosing" scale.
Edited on Aug 24, 2011 at 11:46amMar '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Duane Oyen:
I was amazed to see some on the Right speculating that he should run this year because he is a good talker and handles himself well off-the-cuff, plus he is of an ethnic minority extraction- after two years in Federal office. Are you kidding me? This, after we already have experience with the other party doing exactly that?
Mr Obama handles himself well off-the-cuff?
Plus, the other party are socialists (sorry - the word that should not be spoken) - which as Mr Rubio eloquently explains, never works, wherever it is tried.
Mr Rubio far exceeds the syphilitic camel, which is all that we need for an improvement.
Edited on Aug 24, 2011 at 11:48amDec '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
The Q&A is worth watching as well.
Oct '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
While listening to that speech, I experienced a feeling similar to one I had in 1980 when I heard Reagan speak - relief. Everything is going to be ok, there's an adult in charge.
Then I remember he's not running for president and the depressing 1979-like class war stagflation riots re-enter my consciousness.
Dec '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Whoever wins the nomination on our side would be dumber than a box of hair if he/she did not enlist Rubio to go on the campaign trail for him/her.
Apr '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
I have found and believe that few people really appreciate what America is and has stood for. Too many Americans simply lack the perspective to appreciate just how much more evil and wrong the USSR and its puppet regimes were. They may understand it intellectually, but I doubt many feel it emotionally. What resonated with me when listening to Reagan speak about America and Communism is just how well he understood the truth of it.
I was born in communist Romania. I was too young at the time to grasp how it was like, but through my parents, relatives, and family friends I have heard first hand account of it. I don't think any American has ever come so close to describing the truth of those regimes as Ronald Reagan until Marco Rubio.
What made Reagan great is he understood what America really is and I think Marco Rubio does too. This is a very important thing. The problems that face us today are no worse or easier then the ones that faced us in the past, but knowing who we are as a nation can only leave us feeling optimistic that we will over come them.
Oct '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
I hate to say this, because I am a huge Rubio fan, but I wasn't blown away by this speech -- until the last 5 minutes or so when he started talking about his family. He seemed almost to be having a teleprompter malfunction near the beginning, stumbling through some sentences -- although it looks like he wasn't using prompters. It almost seemed like he was intimidated by the gravitas of the audience and the setting. It was distracting and I began focusing more on his performance than on the content of the speech.
I'm being waaaaaay too nit-picky, of course. It's just that he has set such a high bar in all of his other speeches I've heard. I actually think he's better at speaking off-the-cuff than he is delivering prepared remarks. During the campaign his command of issues in a close setting was astonishing. This old interview with the Miami Herald editorial board is a great example.
The Cuban girl cutting my hair the other day told me "Rubio" means "blonde" -- interesting.
Edited on Aug 24, 2011 at 2:00pmMar '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
As he should be - that was a plus, for me.
May '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
David Williamson
Duane Oyen:
I was amazed to see some on the Right speculating that he should run this year because he is a good talker and handles himself well off-the-cuff, plus he is of an ethnic minority extraction- after two years in Federal office. Are you kidding me? This, after we already have experience with the other party doing exactly that?
Mr Obama handles himself well off-the-cuff?
Plus, the other party are socialists (sorry - the word that should not be spoken) - which as Mr Rubio eloquently explains, never works, wherever it is tried.
Mr Rubio far exceeds the syphilitic camel, which is all that we need for an improvement. · Aug 24 at 11:46am
Edited on Aug 24 at 11:48 am
What we were permitted to see during the 2008 campaign indeed made Obama seem to handle things well off-the-cuff. Either that or he was very well-prepared, as in the TARP meetings in Sept/Oct. 2008. The impression, as reported, is important.
Mar '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Duane Oyen
What we were permitted to see during the 2008 campaign indeed made Obama seem to handle things well off-the-cuff. Either that or he was very well-prepared, as in the TARP meetings in Sept/Oct. 2008. The impression, as reported, is important.
Duane - as I recall, Mr Obama in the TARP meetings in 2008 was rather cool and detached - he was present - he hasn't changed that much.
I really don't recall the off-the-cuff expertise.
May '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
"Being an American is not just a blessing; it's a responsibility." There's that appeal to honor that we need more of.
May '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Only criticism (and a very picky one): "Truisms" isn't really the right word in that one section of the speech. "Truths" would be better.
Feb '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Yup, he was a bit clumsy at first. A freshman senator making an speech at the Reagan Library with Mrs. Reagan in the front row is like teaching Sunday School with Billy Graham in your room--you're gonna be nervous. He's got good speaking skills--understands cadence, intonation, repetition and pauses. I also agree that he connects the most when he tells the personal stories . But that's because people like hearing stories more than theory, particularly when the stories illustrate or demonstrate theory. Jesus used parables for the very same reason. I am most impressed by Senator Rubio's demeanor and sunny disposition. Our party does well to attract and highlight people who can talk about our challenges and still be optimistic, to be positive in a city full of cynics. Let's encourage him to continue to grow and learn legislative skills, champion and pass some bills and get even more influential!
Nov '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Duane Oyen: If he doesn't screw it up...he has a great chance to become president. It will do no one any good to try to push him into the ring before his time.
This, after we already have experience with the other party doing exactly that?
I hope we don't ruin him by pushing too hard, too fast. He has a great future after the right period of seasoning.
Excellent points, all.
Apr '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
Exactly right. I haven't yet seen a great deal of him, but each time I do see him I am more impressed. He does have exceptional potential but the clamor to push him into the 2012 race seems more driven by a certain dissatisfaction with the current field than a genuine view that he is the right man right now.
Give him time. He'll be the real deal.
Apr '11
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
This wasn't a speech...it was a love letter. When will this man be president?
May '10
Re: Marco Rubio at the Reagan Library
David Williamson
Duane Oyen
What we were permitted to see during the 2008 campaign indeed made Obama seem to handle things well off-the-cuff. Either that or he was very well-prepared, as in the TARP meetings in Sept/Oct. 2008. The impression, as reported, is important.
Duane - as I recall, Mr Obama in the TARP meetings in 2008 was rather cool and detached - he was present - he hasn't changed that much.
I really don't recall the off-the-cuff expertise. · Aug 24 at 2:50pm
It's the impression, David. The coolness, especially compared with McCain's strategic blunder and apparent panic, was reassuring to the middle. Unfortunately.