Posted on 03/22/2012 8:24:51 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Yesterday's endorsement of Mitt Romney by former Florida governor Jeb Bush sent the implicit message that the time had come to wrap up the nomination process and begin focusing on the general election. Bush made that more explicit in an interview with Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Salena Zito --- and Bush had an idea how to make the ticket even stronger:
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has earned the right to take on President Obama in November.
“It is time to get behind the nominee,” Bush told the Tribune-Review on Wednesday during a visit to Pittsburgh. “And it is time for the country to focus on the most important thing, which is to elect a president who will create a climate for high growth and job-creating abilities for our country.”
Does he want to be VP? No, but he knows the man for the job:
“Marco Rubio,” he said of the freshman Florida GOP senator, who served as a volunteer on Bush’s governor’s campaign. Bush described Rubio, 40, as “dynamic, joyful, disciplined and principled.”
“He is the best orator of American politics today, a good family man. He is not only a consistent conservative, but he has managed to find a way to communicate a conservative message full of hope and optimism,” Bush said.
No doubt, Rubio would be a popular choice for a running mate in the GOP. He routinely wins the polls here at Hot Air for the slot, for example. If Romney does win the nomination — and that seems just short of certain now — he’d need a popular figure like Rubio among conservatives, and I’m not sure there’s another choice that could help him consolidate the base as effectively.
However, I’m still not sold on this as an effective general-election choice. Rubio has not had any executive-branch experience yet, and has been in the Senate for a mere 14 months. He needs more time to garner broader experience before one can make the claim that he has a resumé that justifies him being one heartbeat away from the Presidency. (Yes, I know Obama only had two years in the Senate before beginning his run for the top spot. Look how well that’s working out.) As talented as Rubio is, he has a brilliant career ahead of him if he shows some patience and builds a record of more than just fabulous oratory. He needs a full term in the Senate with his name on significant legislation, then a term as governor in Florida. With that kind of record, Rubio might be unbeatable in any cycle. With four or eight years as VP after less than two in the Senate, Rubio could end up being a historical footnote.
Bobby Jindal makes more sense as a running mate in this cycle, or Nikki Haley, both of whom are governors outside of Washington with Southern draw. Jindal probably would be better in getting conservatives to coalesce behind him, and he has a real track record of political reform in his second term in the top spot in Louisiana.
Update: Fox asked Rick Perry about rumors of his being on the shortlist, and Perry says that rumor is all it is:
“Texas governor versus VP? The balance on that one isn’t even close,” Perry said. “I would suggest to you that’s deep in the rumor category and I got a better gig where I am, thank you.”
Perry would make a pretty good running mate, though, and would help Romney get conservative backing. I don’t see Perry in a #2 slot, however, and I doubt he sees himself there either.
“IMO Rubio will be lucky to get re-elected to the Senate, there are a lot former supporters that are turned off by him.”
Why? Just curious, as I have always read him as counterfeit.
“Romney Dynasty has roots to Mehican Hispanics, Rubio is Hispanic.”
Are you sure? I thought he was all pure ‘white and delightsome’, that the only reason for Mexico was to run their chicken ranch scheme free of law enforcement.
RE: Can’t stand Rubio.
We’d like to know why...
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So would I. I guess some here on FR just do NOT want anyone on any ticket that can beat the Kenyan and I wonder why.
RE: I guess some here on FR just do NOT want anyone on any ticket that can beat the Kenyan and I wonder why.
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Many are looking for Mr or Ms. Perfect. Good luck with that.
Is the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave????
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NO, he is NOT!!!!
Besides being able to talk to the pool boy without an interpreter?
He's been a US Senator for two freaking years! That's IT! AND, the track record of US Senators, a/k/a gasbags and crooks, being elevated to POTUS or VP isn't exactly encouraging.
My own intensely personal feeling is that in order to be a Natural Born Citizen, one must have been born in Hawaii of a foreign father. I am confident that I am correct because many many elected Republicans have told me exactly that ... or something very close to that. But you know if Alito, Scalia, Thomas and the boys are not too busy, maybe they could enlighten me.
True, neither of the Rubio parents was an American citizen at the time of little Marco's birth (BTW, Marco is an Italian handle, the espanol version is "Marcos") so it is possible that he is therefore an Italian Natural Born Citizen. And it is entirely possible that he was born in Hawaii. In fact, I'd actually prefer it. Floridian's have earned a reputation for not being very bright, and their weather is unbearable 9 months of the year, which doesn't help the state IQ any.
I say, better yet, why don't we just drop this whole annoying Constitutional thingie. The guy is here now, and that's good enough for the MSM, Barack Obama, and my Republican Congressman!
You’re wrong, but not for the reason you think you are. Scott Brown has been pretty strong on immigration bills. He voted against DREAM and told Obama he wouldnt vote for amnesty. However, Reagan signed the amnesty bill, which means that Reagan doesnt have as much in common with his FR identity as a lot of people think.
So if Rubio is open borders, then he has more in common with Reagan than Scott Brown.
I’m so tired of this BS. If FReepers spent 1/10th the time bashing the Muslim Marxist usurping the WH as they do bashing GOP candidates who even on their worst day aren’t a fraction as bad as that thing in the WH now, maybe, we might win this November.
I go to other forums, I read Twittter, etc and conservatives and Republcans are going after Hussein. Here, it’s bashing our own side 24/7. Makes me wonder how many are really O voters.
It ain’t gonna work - ROMNEY NEVER GETS MY VOTE!! Jeb, you and the GOP E has finally have shown your true colors. There is no crossing the aisle - there is no aisle as you are ONE!!
Pro Homo, Pro Abortion, Anti-traditional marriage, big gov’t socialistic Romneycare, appointing liberal judges, very weak on 2nd adm and pro-gun rights - same as the liberals.
Only those attracted/drawn to evil would ever vote for Mitt or be apart of the GOP E!
LLS
LLS
Rubio is not NBC, Rubio is a McCain stooge for the MB interventions and Rubio is as soft as da Bushes on Illegal Immigration. I don’t trust Rubio!
WOW, pretty pathetic, very pathetic that our former head of the State of Florida, a former two term Governor does NOT know the Constitution’s Article II. Section 1. Clause 5.!
There is NO difference whather you are a democRAT or a pubbie, the Constitution is the same!!
It ALL looks like these leaches are doing this to cover up for Bari, Barry Soetoro, Soebarkah, Steve Dunham, Harrison J. Bounell and other aliases used with different SS### and faked SSS#, aka BHO to be eligible as p-Resident!!!
Do you hate everyone you don’t completely agree with?
Mark Levin says he is eligible and he’s a lot smarter than you.
This clashes with the “Western Strategy” that Romney will need to employ to beat Obama. Susana Martinez better fits that strategy.
“Is Rubio an NBC?”
Probably not but no matter if you agree or disagree it will be a poor idea to put him on the ticket. If he goes on the ticket as VP the lawsuits and controversy will start immediately and that is the last thing the GOP needs this year. Just put Alan West on the ticket if Fla is worrisome.
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