Is Marco Rubio Florida's new Allen West
01/02/2013
Rand Paul, Michele Bachmann, Connie Mack, Allen West and Marco Rubio - who would have thunk it? Rubio joined the other four in voting against the fiscal cliff bill. Who would have thunk it?
Really. Rubio is certainly a far more thoughtful politician than the folks with whom he joined hands. Bachmann? Paul? Mack? West? Is this the company Rubio now keeps?
The general consensus seems to be that Rubio's vote was a carefully calculated effort to protect his ambition to be the Republican nominee for president in 2016. Perhaps, but he cast his vote with a fuzzy crystal ball. The only certain thing about 2016 is that most of what the political folks are talking about today will be irrelevant in four years.
Rubio's vote was not a moment of statemanship. It was not an effort to lead. It was not about helping America.
It was about Rubio. And Sen. Rubio is better than that.
If Rubio has decided that he is merely a Tea Party leader than he offers little to Republicans and Democrats who are not part of the Tea Party movement - and he limits his potential in 2016.
But let's forget 2016 for a moment. Rubio represents the Sunshine State. Did his vote reflect what was best for Florida? Would Florida be better off if the nation had fallen off the fiscal cliff? Would the resulting economic crisis further cripple Florida's economy?
Sometimes when the spotlight of the national stage becomes too bright, one forgets the voters who lifted you onto the stage.
This was Rubio's Allen West moment - strident and pointless.
let say the other states will find out this rubio guy's history and the things he allow to pass as fl lead senator. people need to go back dig up some of the things he help get thru as the republican head of senate. gvnr bush didn't mind because he got what he wanted a point man for all he invisioned for florida.this man as never worked for a thing...lived off other and be point man because he could swing the electors vote by way of hispanic orgin in the south florida region,but now its different and this why he looks bad this is good for all plus s. fl. to see nothing in the head just self..!
Posted by: johnm | 01/04/2013 at 09:57 PM
Remember when junior Senator Obama voted against increasing the debt ceiling?
Posted by: Dana Pickard | 01/04/2013 at 12:04 AM
Oh please let's all pray to the political gods that Rubio doesn't become another West, one was enough!
Rubio was calculating in his vote and I agree shooting for the future, but I am not ready to lump him in with the West contingent just yet.
He has mostly made the right moves until now, hopefully it was just one glass of champagne too many on NYE!
Posted by: Kendall | 01/02/2013 at 04:44 PM