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September 28, 2009
Marco Rubio vs. Charlie Crist. The Rocky Balboa fight of politics
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Marco Rubio vs. Charlie Crist. The Rocky Balboa fight of politics.
The Rocky Balboa fight of politics is occurring right before our eyes here in the Sunshine State.
Charlie Crist, the ever-popular governor of Florida with approval ratings in the 60's is getting more than he ever bargained for in his race for the United States Senate from Marco Rubio, the former speaker of the house in the Florida state legislature.
The pundits predicted an early landslide. The Republican establishment in Florida offered Rubio an easier office to win.
Maybe Attorney General?
Rubio declined.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) even threw their hat behind Crist the week he announced.
So what.
So how is Rubio still around?
It's definitely not the money as Crist has all but dominated that game by taking part in establishment fundraisers in Atlanta and Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Rubio has been touring the state.
Of Florida that is. Not Georgia, and not DC.
Again, how is Rubio still around? Could it be the conservative message and not the message that Crist recently offered by being one of a very few Republicans to endorse President Obama's stimulus package, a stimulus package of which only 36% of Americans believe is actually working? Or the fact that Crist said that Florida's above average unemployment was "not that big of a deal"?
Not to mention the fact that voters may be considering Crist a lightweight as Rubio has challenged Crist to ten debates. Ten debates that Crist has declined because he is supposedly too "focused on governing" and is saving sea turtles instead.
The Facts
Crist has recently outraised Rubio approximately 12-1. Yet, for those voters that know both Crist and Rubio, the polls are evenly split between the two.
Rubio has recently adorned the cover of National Review and has all but been endorsed by such conservatives such as George Will, Mike Huckabee, Jim Demint, former speaker of the House Dick Armey, and Jeb Bush.
Crist's endorsements? John Cornyn and the Republican DC establishment who along with the rest of Congress has a 16% approval rating. Again, so what.
Rubio has also won practically every Republican straw poll in Florida, including Hernando county, Crist's own back yard.
Crist? The guy's too worried about saving sea turtles to worry about straw polls.
So why is Rubio's message resonating?
It's simple.
True conservatism, principles, honesty, and authenticity.
Marco Rubio on Issues
SPENDING: “I am gravely concerned by a federal government that continues spending money it doesn’t have. In early 2009, I joined Florida’s entire Republican congressional delegation in opposing the $787 billion stimulus bill. In the U.S. Senate, I will support measures like a balanced budget amendment and the line-item veto that will help control the excessive and wasteful spending in Washington that threatens to leave future generations with crushing debt and a country worse off than that of their parents and grandparents.”
TAXES: “I have never voted for a tax increase. While I generally support tax cuts, I believe meaningful tax reform that simplifies our tax code, makes it easier to understand and is more fair to the taxpayer should be our ultimate goal. In the mean time, I will support efforts to reduce the tax burden on American workers, entrepreneurs and businesses. This includes: eliminating the Death Tax; eliminating taxes on capital gains, dividends and interest, thereby encouraging greater savings and investment; and making America the most attractive place to do business by lowering corporate tax rates.”
JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS: “I support judges who will respect the rule of law, strictly interpret our Constitution and not legislate from the bench. I opposed Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. As a whole, Judge Sotomayor’s record reflects a view that judges can and should inject personal experiences and biases into what should be the objective interpretation and application of the law. While her comments about the “better conclusions” a “wise Latina woman” would bring to the bench are universally known, I have more specific concerns about her case history and testimony regarding the Second Amendment at the state level, eminent domain takings and the so-called constitutional right to privacy that resulted in the Roe v. Wade decision. Together, these and other cases point to a nominee who would bring an activist approach to the highest court in the land.”
SECOND AMENDMENT: “Like the rest of our Constitution, I believe the 2nd Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy. I believe the right to bear arms is a constitutionally protected right. The right of citizens to defend themselves by bearing arms is a fundamental human right that should be protected.”
IMMIGRATION: “Legal immigration has been a great source of strength and prosperity for America, but I believe illegal immigration threatens the foundation of this system. If I had been in the Senate at the time, I would have opposed the McCain-Kennedy bill. I believe we must fix our immigration system by first securing the border, fixing the visa and entry process and opposing amnesty in any reform.”
ENVIRONMENT: “As a U.S. senator, I would oppose a national energy tax on American consumers, farmers and business owners. At a time when our economy is struggling, a cap-and-trade scheme would further strain family budgets and destroy jobs. Creating jobs in the energy sectors and becoming more energy efficient requires entrepreneurial innovation, not big government mandates. Instead of higher energy bills and job losses, the American people deserve a comprehensive, job-creating energy policy that promotes energy efficiency, alternative energy production and the development of our own natural resources.”
ENERGY: “I support a comprehensive energy plan that encourages nuclear energy, exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and environmentally safe leasing of oil and natural gas fields in the outer continental shelf and on federally owned lands with oil shale in the West. As senator, I will stand for policies that make us more energy efficient, less reliant on foreign sources of oil, create jobs and ease the burden on family budgets.”
SANCTITY OF LIFE: “I am pro-life. As a state legislator, I supported various pieces of pro-life legislation that, among other things, would require doctors to perform ultrasounds before performing abortions and another bill that would ban the use of taxpayer dollars to fund stem cell research.”
CARD CHECK: “I oppose card check and any efforts like the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to tip labor law in favor of unions through binding federal arbitration. I am concerned by labor unions’ unrelenting campaign for card check, which would eliminate workers’ right to a secret ballot in unionization elections. I believe workers’ rights should be protected and that a card check system would open the door to pressure and intimidation that would disrupt the workplace and threaten businesses’ livelihoods. I also oppose EFCA’s arbitration provision, which would give labor and management just months to reach a labor agreement before a contract is imposed by a federal arbitrator.”
Sen. Jim DeMint: The Conservative We’re Looking For — Marco Rubio
Really a great write up and support from Jim DeMint for Rubio.
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Wild Thing's comment........
I sure hope Marco wins. I have really had it with the rino Crist.
The Soros wing of the GOP is in a total panic because they favor Charlie Crist, you know the Meghan McCain type low lifes that was the Republican party to be like the democrat party BS.
So far the good ones news is several of the County Republican Committee straw polls have gone overwhelmingly for Marco.
Posted by Wild Thing at September 28, 2009 05:45 AM
Comments
I have enjoyed that Florida has usually had a Governor with an (R) before his name. I have even had favorable e-mail exchanges with the Crist office. But, He is a "Reach across the Aisle" RINO. Myself and others of the "Walton County Tea Party Patriots" believe that Marco Rubio is talking the good talk. I hope to see how he "Walks the walk". Going to begin my Marco Rubio designs today.
Frankie Cee
Posted by: Frankly Opinionated at September 28, 2009 10:12 AM
"The Soros wing of the GOP is in a total panic because they favor Charlie Crist, you know the Meghan McCain type low lifes that was the Republican party to be like the democrat party BS."
Nothing starts my day better than reading an absolutely priceless sentence. As usual, you hit the nail on the head, Chrissie.
Posted by: horace at September 28, 2009 10:13 AM
Yeah, what happened to Charlie Crist? He used to seem so fresh and yet, he's a rino, like Hagel. Rubio sounds like a decent enough guy. Let's see what he's got.
Posted by: Lynn at September 28, 2009 11:39 AM
I would rather just have a Dem elected to office than a Rino Repub. At least with a Dem you can be pretty sure you know how they are going to vote. Maybe in 2010 a whole bunch of Rinos will be voted ut of office as well as a bunch of Dems. Hope you get Rubio elected Chrissie. I like his answers on issues.
Posted by: TomR at September 28, 2009 12:28 PM
