Marco on the march
At first glance, Florida's Senate primary challenge seems as ludicrous as it is daunting. A popular sitting governor boasting high approval ratings, higher name recognition, support of state and national Republican political machines, and a $6 million war chest versus a barely-known former state representative with limited financial resources, negligible support from the political establishment, and marginal Florida name recognition.
It's all over before it begins, no? Charley Crist buries Marco Rubio in the primary, right? Ahem . . . Not so fast, my friends.
An awakening
In August of 2010, Florida Republicans will participate in a special election to select either Crist or Rubio to run against"It will serve as nothing less than a signal test of convictions, a referendum that will underscore the essential character of and future direction for Florida's Republican Party." über-leftist Kendrick Meek for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez. But much more than a simple ballot choice is riding on this particular primary election.
It will serve as nothing less than a signal test of convictions, a referendum that will underscore the essential character of and future direction for Florida's Republican Party.
It is no secret that Americans of every political stripe -- even many who voted for Obama -- are becoming angry at what they see happening to their country. The growing nationwide influence of conservative Governor Palin, downward-spiraling approval numbers for Obama and the Democrat Congress, and the overwhelming grass-roots support of the Tea Party movement are clear indicators that more and more Americans have reached the tipping point.
They are greatly upset with those who conveniently set aside their alleged principles whenever it is politically expedient, and we Floridians are no different.
Core beliefs . . .
When you hear Marco Rubio speak -- and you will -- the first thing you will notice is that he looks ten years younger than his 38 years. It is hard to picture him as the popular Speaker of the Florida House, resigning only because of term limits (in which he strongly believes).
The second thing you will notice is that he does not use a teleprompter. Unlike Obama and so many other political shills, he doesn't need one because every word he speaks is formulated by deeply-rooted core values. Marco Rubio walks, talks, lives, and breathes conservatism.
The third thing you will notice, so very unlike the president, is Marco's love of the United States of America. The son of poor but industrious and grateful Cuban exiles from Castro's island prison, Rubio never fails to laud the God-given freedoms and resulting greatness which exemplifies America -- and the opportunity She offers to the oppressed of the world.
B2's grandparents were political refugees and, if still with us, would understand Marco Rubio completely. And for those of you who want to know more about Marco, do not fret. You will learn much more about Marco Rubio at the B2J and elsewhere in the ensuing months.
. . . versus pandering
As columnist George F. Will noted, because so many companies do business with state governments, governors are fund-raising dynamos, so a Charley Crist nomination would not burden the national party, which helps explain why
party leaders like him. But that is myopic reasoning. Here are a few reasons why:
Crist fully embraced (literally) Barack Obama and his $800 billion stimulus scheme, appearing with Obama at rallies that only served to legitimize Obama's statist agenda. It is important to remember that Obama's stimulus got no votes from U.S. House Republicans and only three from Republican senators. Is this Crist's idea conservatism at work?
Crist is an acolyte in the man-made global warming cult who desires a severe cap and tax on Florida's carbon emissions. Is this what the Republican Party stands for?
Crist chose his former campaign manager -- long-time, like-minded crony George LeMieux, to serve as a seat warmer in the Senate during the months leading up to what was expected to be a Crist shoo-in election in 2010. Never mind the fact that the placeholder is another "go along to get along" moderate. Why not just select a Democrat to replace Martinez?
Crist expanded, and vetoed reform of, the state's wrong-headed property insurance "public option." It is government-run insurance that, by offering rates lower than rational assessments of risk dictate, has driven private insurers to limit business or even stop doing business in the state.
When a powerful hurricane hits, American taxpayers in Florida and every other state will foot the bill, but Crist will be safely ensconced in Washington. Doesn't he make you proud to be a Republican?
Crist is what my German mother-in-law would call a Betrüger; He talks one game and plays another.
The upcoming battle
Earlier this year, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) endorsed Charley Crist in the senate race. It is the NRSC's belief that only Crist can win in Florida.
However, this may prove to be short-sighted folly. In the Sunshine State, the reality is that Marco Rubio can win because"...We have seen that a candidate who earnestly extols conservative values can win and win big." he is more in tune with the majority of the Republican base in Florida. Crist, like that failed presidential hopeful John McCain, must rely on crossover voting from Democrats and independents. Why is this short-sighted?
Because the NRSC wrote off the primary that precedes the election.
it is estimated by George Will that only about 20 percent of Florida's four million registered Republicans will vote in the closed late-August primary. That means only about 450,000 votes might win it.
It is not unreasonable to assume that at least that many votes will be cast for Rubio by Florida's attentive conservative Republicans who are sick and tired of RINO appeasement politics and the ruination of our nation. Make no mistake -- Rubio can win the primary.
In the statewide 2010 senatorial election, just as in any statewide gubernatorial election, we have seen that a candidate who earnestly extols conservative values can win and win big. There is no finer example in Florida than Governor Jeb Bush.
Marco Rubio will win if opposed by liberal Kendrick Meek.
Cure the RINO disease
Mind you, the NRSC's endorsement of Charlie Crist is essentially a repudiation of the Republican Party's real power base. It is an indication that the elite, country-clubbing Republican political mongers intend to pursue more moderate, touchy-feely, appeasement-oriented candidates in 2010.
If so, history has proven they will lose more than they gain.
Although there are few stalwarts remaining in Washington upon which we conservatives can depend, there are two whom we greatly admire."When I listen to Marco speak, he makes me proud to be an American. -- Senator Jim DeMint" Senators Jim DeMint and James Inhofe epitomize the spirit of conservatism and it is therefore no fluke that both have publicly and warmly endorsed Marco Rubio for the United States Senate.
Senator DeMint recently stated that, "When I listen to Marco speak, he makes me proud to be an American." High praise indeed from a tough guy like Jim DeMint.
Very soon now, Crist will unleash the full might of the NRSC, his party's establishment PR hit men, and start spending all those hoarded millions to neutralize Rubio's rising popularity. Ahead in early polls by a comfortable 14-point margin, Crist believes he can bludgeon Rubio into non-viability. But in May, when Rubio announced his candidacy, Crist held an overwhelming 30-point lead in the polls.
With your help, David will slay Goliath.
Help cure RINO disease, help cure America -- it's time for Florida's conservatives to get busy and stand tall for someone who shares our vision. Support Marco Rubio.
Hype and Chains.