For several years now, I have referred to Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio as "Republican Obamas". Why? Because both are freshman senators, both are minorities, and both have unconcealed presidential ambitions, now corroborated by their declared candidacies. And I've always wondered what it is about Tea Partiers that they (correctly) decry the arrogantly presumptive notion of an inexperienced, wet-behind-the-ears, never-run-so-much-as-a-lemonade-stand-in-his-life naif seeking, much less attaining, the presidency of the United States when that person is a Democrat, but seem to have no problem with the idea when it's one of their own favored pols. It's not unlike how "birthers" went nuts over Barack Obama's constitutional ineligibility for the presidency (due to one of his parents not being a native-born or naturalized U.S. citizen, not where he was born), and how that identical fact about Senators Cruz and Rubio never gets mentioned. I mean, if we're going to take courageous constitutional stands, shouldn't we at least do so non-self-servingly?
Another thing about which I've warned TPers is that if they think that the media won't tear down Cruz and Rubio on these same grounds after having circled the wagons and run interference for The One from the day he first declared his presidential candidacy, they're more obtuse than even I have given them credit for being.
Well, here we go:
Florida Senator Marco Rubio's lack of national experience could seriously undermine his 2016 candidacy, say political insiders.
According to Politico's weekly bipartisan survey of top operatives and activists in Iowa and New Hampshire, Rubio's limited political experience will be a problem for him as the race for president gets underway.
Sixty-one percent of all Republicans surveyed and 63% of Democrats think Rubio's experience will be a problem for him. In Iowa, 63% of those surveyed say it will be an issue, while in New Hampshire 57% say it will be a problem.
Some have compared Rubio to Barack Obama, noting his lack of experience while acknowledging that his speaking skills and compelling personal narrative were what made Obama attractive to voters.
"He'll have to offer more than one really great speech, because voters are looking for more than inspiration," an Iowa Republican told Politico. "We've had plenty of that with Obama. Voters are looking for accomplishment and experience as well."
"Every election selects the candidate that corrects the perceived deficiencies of the current occupant of the White House. After seven years of an eloquent, one-term senator — the GOP is going to look for something different," a New Hampshire Republican told Politico.
"Without a doubt, when push comes to shove later this year, Rubio will be faced with being too young without enough experience," another operative told Politico. [emphases added]
See, I told you so.
Oh, I know what some of you are thinking; "MEDIA BIAS!" "GOP ESTABLISHMENT COCKROACHES!" But in this case, you have to admit - if you're intellectually honest - that they're right. Again, if "in over his head" empty-suitedness was a bad thing with Obama, how can it be a good thing with Marco Rubio? And indeed, regardless of your take on that question, Red Barry has spent over six years pissing in that particular punch bowl. Lightning, in short, really doesn't strike the same place twice.
And not just for the soon-to-be ex-Florida senator:
Rubio is not the only candidate who could be laboring under the charge of a lack of experience. Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul are both vulnerable to a similar critique, said several insiders.
That's because....they are. And for the exact same reasons.
But then, this is why a Scott Walker-Marco Rubio ticket is, or ought to be, such a no-brainer. Proven conservative executive accomplishment and experience at the top of the ticket, additional charisma and eloquence (and, yes, ethnicity, aka the Julian Castro antidote) in the #2 spot, and youth and energy and freshness, a total break with the recent past, from and with both.
Walk recognizes it. I think Rubio would come around to it. Does the GOP nominating electorate see it? On the answer to that question will the Old American Republic's resurrection rest.
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