Rubio Shows Cleverness And Class
During a speech to a Hispanic leadership group Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R) was interrupted by a group of protesters upset over his opposition to the Dream Act. They first held up signs objecting to his opposition to the law held up signs linking him to the Tea Party and implying that he was anti Hispanic.
In a move I think many politicians could learn from Rubio praised the bravery of the protesters for expressing their views in a forum where many would disagree with them and expressed gratitude for living in a society where all views are welcomed. He then encouraged them to stay and listen to what he had to say.
Rubio then went on to criticize both Republicans and Democrats for making immigration a campaign issue instead of finding real solutions.
4 Responses to “Rubio Shows Cleverness And Class”
Good for him! Its so rare to see politicians acting like grown ups even this little crumb of decency has kinda made my day.
I didn’t think I was going to like Rubio when he first beat Crist, a guy of whom I am a pretty big fan, but he’s turned out to be one of the most thoughtful, reasonable sorts we’ve recently seen, with the courage of conviction, but the sense to know when to compromise. This simply just enhances that reputation, I think.
Just what we need. A tea party VP. Though this speech sounded more conciliatory, his 2010 election stance was very different.
[But some Hispanics, including some conservatives, say Rubio has been a perpetrator of some of the most objectionable rhetoric as he rode a wave of tea party support to his Senate victory two years ago.
.....
Indeed, Rubio has taken a hard line on illegal immigration, a position that solidified his support among the tea party voters who rallied to his support. He opposes the DREAM Act, which would allow some children of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, and spoke favorably of Arizona’s controversial anti-illegal immigrant measures.]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-florida-gop-candidates-praise-marco-rubio-a-favorite-for-running-mate/2012/01/26/gIQAzGicVQ_story.html?hpid=z2
Plus his finance problems would only exacerbate those of the two leading contenders.
[Rubio owes far more on his $384,000 Miami home than it is worth. He bought the home in 2005 for $550,000 with a $495,000 mortgage. He soon had it appraised for $735,000 and took out a home equity line of credit for $135,000.
In 2008, despite earning a declared $400,000 - including his $300,000 salary from the Miami law firm Broad and Cassel - Rubio failed to pay down the principal on his home for several months, according to Florida campaign finance disclosures.
During the same period he did not pay down the balance of a $100,000-plus student loan from his days at the University of Miami, the disclosures said.
.....
Before joining the Senate last year, his name surfaced in an Internal Revenue Service investigation of the Florida Republican Party's use of party-issued credit cards. He frequently had used his party credit card for personal use, and later reimbursed the card company for about $16,000.
Rubio's handling of his personal finances contrasts sharply with the image of him on his Senate website, which highlights Rubio's efforts to prevent Washington from "piling up debt."]
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/26/us-usa-campaign-florida-rubio-idUSTRE80P1O020120126
Doesn’t sound that bad, but neither Romney nor Gingrich needs more flack about spending habits.
This does show class and cleverness, both attributes one would want in a leader.
It would be terrific if he is actually moderating his stance and leaving the Tea Party behind. Time will tell.