No Rubio in 2012
Rubio announced yesterday he is not running for president in 2012:
“I want to be a United States senator. I want to be the best United States senator that Florida’s ever had ...I just got elected three months ago ...So how can I be a full-time
United States senator if my eye’s already on something else?"
I truly admire Rubio's commitment to his job as a senator, that he wants to be the best. He views his responsibility to Florida as more than a stepping stone to the White House. The GOP might suffer without Rubio on the presidential candidate bench, but can you question the integrity of his decision?
It might be a strange comparison, but I can't help being reminded of Sarah Palin stepping down as Alaska's governor in 2009, and now being praised for a possible 2012 presidential run. I have great respect for Palin, but it's hard to forget her willingness to not finish a tough job. Were her eyes already on the 2012 bid when she gave up her governorship?
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Mar '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
This is actually my biggest reservation about Palin: she is quitter. She has consistently left jobs without seeing them through. POTUS is not that kind of job, and whoever becomes POTUS needs to be someone who has a history of not just execution, but completion.
Mar '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
There's a big, juicy worm on that hook, but I think I'll just keep swimming.
Oct '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Two of our very best have proven themselves by being unwilling to use their conservative successes as a step ladder to the presidency. Rubio and Christie will both be great presidents, if we last long enough as a nation to elect them.
Re: Palin, above. Much debate has gone into showing that her resignation from the Governorship of Alaska was, in fact, for the state's benefit. And what other commitments has she walked out on??? Did she abort her less than perfect child? Did she write off her foolish daughter, Bristol? Did she quit the VP campaign despite the withering slander campaign against her? Does she now just sit down and be quiet?
Palin is one of the real men in the political universe. Like Maggie Thatcher or Michelle Bachmann, Nickie Haley or Susana Martinez, she has the cajones that the male conservative political animal allowed to be castrated fifty or so years ago
Mar '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Palin resigned as mayor, as well as governor. Yes, it troubles me.
Ideologically, I think Palin is *awesome*. And she is every liberal feminists' nightmare: a proud and successful woman who did it without leaning on a powerful husband or family. She is good, and right, and true. There is much that makes Sarah Palin phenomenal, and I am whole-hearted supporter.
And I think her political instincts are on par with Clinton; she is a natural.
But I just don't see her making a good President. I'd *love* to be wrong.
Jul '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Palin did not resign as mayor, but she did resign from the Oil & Gas Commission in protesting the unethical behavior of her colleagues and the Governor's complicity in it--which she then used to effectively challenge him for the GOP nomination. Her resignation as governor still troubles me, but she left the state in excellent hands, and she also fulfilled nearly all of her campaign promises before stepping down, so...I think it's a difficult issue to really process.
As for Rubio, he didn't take himself out of the running for VP and if anyone but Palin is at the top of the ticket...I expect him to be at the bottom. My personal suspicion is that Palin will lean more towards picking a woman, and if I had to lay money on it, I'd say it will be Susana Martinez. 50 million Hispanic voters according to the new census. Putting Rubio or Martinez on the ticket might well be the most successful thing the GOP nominee could do to destablize the president.
May '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
You're still new around here Lauren but there is a long and bloody history on that and every other Palin-related question.... don't be surprised if you blink and there are 120 comments to sift through...Truth lies somewhere between her sacrificing for her family in the face of imminent bankruptcy under the weight of determined legal challenges and being a feckless, media dilettante.
May '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
iWc: ... Ideologically, I think Palin is *awesome*. ... And I think her political instincts are on par with Clinton; she is a natural. ... But I just don't see her making a good President.
· Mar 29 at 9:01am
I have to agree, I don't think she has the temperament. She would make a phenomenal RNC chair, a spectacular Presidential Chief of Staff, and would IMHO be great in Congress. I suspect if she were to get herself elected to the House, she would be Speaker in a few terms.
I will support her for President if she gets nominated, but she isn't my first choice.
Jan '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Trace is a pretty sharp guy, and he's probably right about a Palin war breaking out. So I'd like to offer a Palin-free comment on Marco Rubio, before the storm.
A good man has got to know his limitations. When Obama was a rising star, he was encouraged to run right away, and he ran before he was ready. I'm convinced that one of the reasons why Obama "farmed out" the tax and healthcare bills to Congress was that he simply didn't have anyone else to give it to. He hadn't been around Washington long enough to know who to trust. Obama was politically ripe, but he wasn't ready to be president.
I think Rubio is at the same point, but he's made the smarter choice. He isn't ready to be president, but he will be later on. Better to wait until then. Smart guy.
Aug '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
I really like Senator Rubio and I am pleased to see his good sense in forgoing a run in 2012. His decision confirms he has good sense and a measure of humility.
Unfortunately you have brought this good news together with a thought crime against the Queen of the North, so further discussion of Rubio is off the table. I look foward to the inevitable flame war to follow.
Jan '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Nice swipe at Obama, Rubio!
Freshmen senators running for the oval office should be closely scrutinized. I'm glad this particular senator is raising the bar on the quality of experience and length of stay in his current job before campaigning for the presidency; Obama's election lowered that standard.
Dec '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
KC Mulville: Trace is a pretty sharp guy, and he's probably right about a Palin war breaking out. So I'd like to offer a Palin-free comment on Marco Rubio, before the storm.
A good man has got to know his limitations. When Obama was a rising star, he was encouraged to run right away, and he ran before he was ready. I'm convinced that one of the reasons why Obama "farmed out" the tax and healthcare bills to Congress was that he simply didn't have anyone else to give it to. He hadn't been around Washington long enough to know who to trust. Obama was politically ripe, but he wasn't ready to be president.
I think Rubio is at the same point, but he's made the smarter choice. He isn't ready to be president, but he will be later on. Better to wait until then. Smart guy. · Mar 29 at 9:30am
Excellent points made here. While I'd like Rubio to run, I think he has the smart enough to know he requires more experience. I think everyday Obama wakes up he realizes he's got a lot to learn.
Mar '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
I am in total agreement with Clair on Palin, there is no way we should elect someone to President with so little experience. I don't dislike her but she is not someone I would ever vote for in a Primary . Christie is similar. A candidate should at least be a Governor, in the leadership of a Legislative branch, or a Cabinet member ( including Assistant Sectary positions in State or Defense) for 3 or 4 years before running for President.
Rubio has some of the experience in he was the speaker of the house of a large state. I see him being a strong candidate for Senate Majority Leader if he sticks around in the Senate for more than one term. I like him but Rubio is a Moderate who is a little more conservative on some issues than GW was (mainly fiscal). That is I think even in the 50's/60's he would of been a Republican where as GW would of been a Conservative Democrat.
So my thoughts are Rubio in 2020 since in 2016 the President should not have a primary challenge.
Edited on Mar 29, 2011 at 11:12amMar '11
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Marco Rubio is destined to be the 2012 VP pick, that is if he accepts, because he will almost certainly be asked by the candidate at the behest of party leaders. He hits every point on the electability scale: He's a young family man, has a compelling story for legal immigrants, will help carry the electorally rich state of Florida and best of all he is a real Conservative.
Jun '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
KC Mulville: Trace is a pretty sharp guy, and he's probably right about a Palin war breaking out. So I'd like to offer a Palin-free comment on Marco Rubio, before the storm.
A good man has got to know his limitations. When Obama was a rising star, he was encouraged to run right away, and he ran before he was ready. I'm convinced that one of the reasons why Obama "farmed out" the tax and healthcare bills to Congress was that he simply didn't have anyone else to give it to. He hadn't been around Washington long enough to know who to trust. Obama was politically ripe, but he wasn't ready to be president.
I think Rubio is at the same point, but he's made the smarter choice. He isn't ready to be president, but he will be later on. Better to wait until then. Smart guy. · Mar 29 at 9:30am
KC: I was going to say exactly the same thing: you beat me to it. Rubio has a huge future. But he needs some more seasoning (and he knows it).
Jul '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
One thing we never discuss about Palin is whether it was seemly for her to accept McCain's invitation to join his ticket.. The woman had served only 20 months as Governor of Alaska.
Of course, the temptation was considerable; the nomination would catapult her onto the national stage and position her to cash in on celebrity.
But in doing so, she turned her back on the people who entrusted her with the office of Governor and who had a right to expect that a neophyte not even halfway through her first term would honor her commitment.
As with Palin, so with Rubio: I expect politicians to honor their contract with the voters by staying out a first term, rather than exploiting the fame they garnered by winning office in the first place.
Edited on Mar 29, 2011 at 12:23pmJul '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
iWc:
And I think her political instincts are on par with Clinton; she is a natural.
This is a phrase I hear over and over about Palin; that she has great political instincts.
I honestly don't understand what that means. Anyone care to elucidate?
Dec '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
I won't back someone without executive experience in the Republican primary. No more McCains, no more Obamas.
I'll happily support governors like Barbour or Pawlenty or Daniels, or even Romney over someone who's experienced only in the Senate, or someone who's inexperienced in the Senate, even one as appealing as Rubio.
Don't get the wrong idea, Rubio rocks. But not for President, not yet. He should serve a term in the Senate. Go home. Run for Governor. Get there, do a good job, then maybe run for President.
Dec '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Kenneth
iWc:
And I think her political instincts are on par with Clinton; she is a natural.
This is a phrase I hear over and over about Palin; that she has great political instincts.
I honestly don't understand what that means. Anyone care to elucidate? · Mar 29 at 12:29pm
It means she wouldn't hesitate to shut down the government on her own terms rather than waiting for Democrats to choose the day.
She doesn't shrink from a fight, she meets her opponents directly, and head on.
Finally, she looks for alternate routes to talk to her audience. She doesn't prattle for the press, hoping they'll pass on a favorable impression. Instead she talks directly to her people.
What's been more effective in the conversation about Obamacare than "death panels"? What's proven more true?
I don't really want her to run for President. But the fact that she has a terrific eye for politics is simply not deniable.
Jul '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Jerry Broaddus
Kenneth
iWc:
This is a phrase I hear over and over about Palin; that she has great political instincts.
I honestly don't understand what that means. Anyone care to elucidate? · Mar 29 at 12:29pm
It means she wouldn't hesitate to shut down the government on her own terms rather than waiting for Democrats to choose the day.
She doesn't shrink from a fight, she meets her opponents directly, and head on.
Finally, she looks for alternate routes to talk to her audience. She doesn't prattle for the press, hoping they'll pass on a favorable impression. Instead she talks directly to her people.
What's been more effective in the conversation about Obamacare than "death panels"? What's proven more true?
I don't really want her to run for President. But the fact that she has a terrific eye for politics is simply not deniable. · Mar 29 at 2:40pm
But what has she accomplished, really? And what about her impulsive endorsement of Christine O'Donnell?
Dec '10
Re: No Rubio in 2012
Kenneth
But what has she accomplished, really? And what about her impulsive endorsement of Christine O'Donnell? · Mar 29 at 2:47pm
You asked about instincts, not accomplishments. And, you say her endorsement of O'Donnell was impulsive. Why? Because you didn't like it? Because she lost?
I'm willing to bet that you hadn't even heard of Christine O'Donnell before Palin's endorsement. I'm equally willing to bet that you were more negative about O'Donnell after she won the primary than you were before.
O'Donnell didn't turn out to be a great candidate in that election. Without Republicans adding catcalls and steroidal eye-rolls to the media's already very negative treatment, she might have been good enough. She certainly would have made a better showing than she did.
The Democrats and the media found an imperfect candidate and they pummeled her. And a bunch of Republicans helped.
Yet before the anal exam, O'Donnell beat the "popular" Delaware congressman walking away.
I submit that Republicans who did their best to torpedo O'Donnell after the primary probably shouldn't count that loss against any analysis of Palin's instincts.