Marco on the Move, or, a Sudden Eruption of Sanity?

 

As the Rubio campaign prepares to blanket Iowa with a 30-minute television specialThe Hill reports that “Buzz Builds for Rubio.” An excerpt:

Buzz is growing on the ground in Iowa around Marco Rubio, who many political watchers believe is set for a stronger-than-expected showing at Monday’s caucuses.

In interviews with The Hill, Iowa Republicans and independent analysts in the state say Rubio is primed to break free from the second tier of contenders and finally emerge as the candidate to save the establishment from Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, who are battling for the lead in Iowa.

“He easily has the greatest upside,” said Doug Gross, who served as Iowa finance chairman for the campaigns of George W. Bush and Mitt Romney.

Forty-eight hours to go, folks.

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  1. WI Con Member
    WI Con
    @WICon

    He’s smooth, and oh so likable! I’ll give him that. He will also sign whatever immigration ‘reform’/’comprehensive reform’ what ever the hell you want to call it, that Ryan and the Reformacons are cooking up – but if he wins, those people are staying and more will likely come. That will not end the issue, the GOP will be negotiating with itself about citizenship within the next one or two presidential elections.

    I’ll take Cruz with that Veto pen vs. Rubio’s rubber stamp.

    • #31
  2. Spin Inactive
    Spin
    @Spin

    raycon and lindacon:Great, another conservative who, if he wins, will be marginalized by the same party hacks and “consultants” as usual. And we will have forever lost our chance to the destroy the prevailing status quo which has enabled the 60 years of mostly unbroken march of the left-progressives to remain in place as the elite consolidate their separate class status, and we serfs assume our designated servitude within the European Union that we have almost achieved.

    Pardon me while I go out back and blow my own head off.

    I swear, Republicans are a bunch of old curmudgeons.  And we can’t figure out why people don’t vote for us…

    • #32
  3. David Sussman Member
    David Sussman
    @DaveSussman

    Folks who are pushing Cruz are doing it for the right reasons… yes, I believe he will stand strong on {most of} his ideals. However, a President has to work with Congress to pass legislation. When you have little political capital (iow, no one likes you), you won’t get anything passed.

    Sorry, but there is more to voting for just the candidate, it’s what will happen once they are elected. Cruz has very few friends, even in his own party.

    • #33
  4. Arizona Patriot Member
    Arizona Patriot
    @ArizonaPatriot

    Eeyore:

    Arizona Patriot:

    Eeyore:And Ted Cruz is insane?

    Peter Robinson Grabs Squish Sponge From The Hands Of Rob Long

    Neither Peter, nor the article he quoted, stated or implied that Cruz was insane. The phrase was “save the establishment from . . . Ted Cruz.” Cruz is certainly anti-establishment, and bless him for it.

    Ross Douthat at the NY Times had an article earlier this week asking why Rubio wasn’t doing better, and positing that it is because he is too conservative for the establishment. I know, it’s the NYT, but Douthat is a reasonably solid conservative (the only one they have, I think) and a good analyst.

    AP, I try never to let facts get in the way of the occasionally half-decent snark. I’ll have to admit, tho, that I was somewhat willing to read that into Peter’s not specifically excluding Ted from the headline’s implication, within the body copy.

    I stand corrected.  I read the body copy and disregarded the headline.  My mistake.

    • #34
  5. Tom Wilson Inactive
    Tom Wilson
    @TomWilson

    I think Rubio is our strongest general election candidate. That’s a big selling point in my book. A candidate that is reassuring to the middle or at least doesn’t scare them while being grounded and committed to the three legs of conservatism seems a wise choice. Cruz is solid in his conservatism, but will scare many folks. I don’t trust Trump on any leg of conservatism, social, defense, or economic.

    • #35
  6. Tim Wright Inactive
    Tim Wright
    @TimWright

    I notice a great many people saying that Rubio is “our” strongest candidate. I will pass over the likelihood that he will immediately sell out the people who voted for him once elected, making some wonderful deals with Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell on immigration and support of the chamber of commerce. What’s with the our….why is being a republican equated with being in favor of an increase in liberty and good limited government? Simply because they are not yet self-identifying as socialists, they deserve our support?
    Tim

    • #36
  7. Matthew Gilley Inactive
    Matthew Gilley
    @MatthewGilley

    I see my good friend Mike LaRoche still won’t take yes for an answer. Puts me in mind of Christmas Vacation: “The little lights… they aren’t twinkling.” “I know, Art. Thanks for noticing.”

    • #37
  8. Petty Boozswha Inactive
    Petty Boozswha
    @PettyBoozswha

    I take solace in the idea that Rubio is as smart as he is smarmy, and as a student of history see’s what breaking his “read my lips” pledge did to GHW Bush. Read Byron York’s take down of the Gang of Eight here: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-immigration-system-marco-rubio-wanted/article/2576240 and you will have to really hold your nose to vote for this guy, but I think he’s learned his lesson and won’t ruin his Presidency by selling us out again.

    • #38
  9. Z in MT Member
    Z in MT
    @ZinMT

    The big difference between Cruz and Rubio is that Rubio thinks he can fix the Republican party. Cruz wants to throw out the current Republican party and remake it.

    To me that is the clear dividing line, and my attitude on the issue changed when we had some Republican’s already foreshadowing the excuses for not repealing Obamacare even with a Republican president and Congress as – but we need 60 votes to get past a Democratic filibuster.  This was on this site and a year ago. If a political party is going to throw in the towel two years ahead of time based on not having super majority support then the party needs to be thrown on the scrap heap.

    • #39
  10. Joseph Stanko Coolidge
    Joseph Stanko
    @JosephStanko

    Tim Wright: I notice a great many people saying that Rubio is “our” strongest candidate. What’s with the our….

    ‘Cause I’m a registered Republican, and a dues-paying member of the California Republican Party, and I want my party to field a candidate who can beat Hillary.

    • #40
  11. Mike LaRoche Inactive
    Mike LaRoche
    @MikeLaRoche

    Matthew Gilley:I see my good friend Mike LaRoche still won’t take yes for an answer. Puts me in mind of Christmas Vacation: “The little lights… they aren’t twinkling.” “I know, Art. Thanks for noticing.”

    In Marco Rubio’s case, I won’t take a yes-man for an answer.

    • #41
  12. wmartin Member
    wmartin
    @

    According to the final poll of Iowa by the Des Moines Register, there is no real evidence of any Rubio surge. In fact, according to the internals of the poll, Rubio’s vote declined in the last two days.

    • #42
  13. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Rubio is a smart guy and I’ve supported him for a while. And I think he learned a lot about working with the other side (Gang of 8) and how that can get you into trouble. At the same time, I think he has the ability to make it all work AND not get caught in the same kind of mistake. I’m counting on it.

    • #43
  14. Vald the Misspeller Inactive
    Vald the Misspeller
    @ValdtheMisspeller

    Last poll out of Iowa before caucuses:

    Jennifer Jacobs Verified account ‏@JenniferJJacobs

    Iowa Poll by @jaselzer:
    TRUMP 28
    Cruz 23
    Rubio 15
    Carson 10
    Paul 5
    Christie 3
    Bush/Fiorina/Huck/Kasich/Santorum 2
    Not sure 2
    Jan 26-29”

    Rubio”Buzz”, or just someone at The Hill with his cell phone set on vibrate?

    • #44
  15. Commodore BTC Inactive
    Commodore BTC
    @CommodoreBTC

    other than rhetorically/aesthetically, no one can explain to me how Rubio would be different than GWB

    • #45
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