His ideas are old and unworkable. His finances are a mess. He is a major liar, and work shirker. Worst of all, he is against any immigration at all for his own Latino people. Hypocrite. Don't care how well he spins it.
3
Rubio became disillusioned with his job as a Senator very quickly for someone who thinks so well of himself that he convinced the Florida car dealer to fund his run for POTUS. He delivers canned speeches and responses to questions that are all bluster but little substance. I think he became reasonably comfortable with all his Senate perks, and has a lust for the benefits and stature of POTUS, rather than the ability and maturity to lead our country. How many more times will he feel the "need" to tell us about his mother and fathers first jobs after leaving Cuba. That "need" is why he ran for Senate, and now wants a promotion with a lifetime pension. Can anyone really think that he, or for that matter any of the current GOP candidates could be the Leader of the Free World ?
4
If Rubio could ditch that mean-spirited conservatism, he might get enough non-Repulican votes to make a good showing in the general. In the meantime, tell every Republican you know (I don't know any myself.) that he looks younger than springtime.
5
The issue comes up with Rubio, I think, because he comes across as too eager, too ambitious, too much of an opportunist.
2
AGE? Who cares? Rubio pushing I-Squared - the tripling of the number of H1b visas allowed each year - means he does not get my votE.
5
He'd be bossed around and bullied by just about every world leader out there. How does one fear and respect a negotiation with Beaver Cleaver? Answer: You don't. And no other world leader will. Netanyahu won't have to malign him like he did with Obama, because - like every other republican politician - Rubio would be soft and pliant with Israel. He is distinctly unqualified for the office, but so are all the others on that side.
6
He's too "almost everything about him," including ignorant.
5
It's not that he's young, it's that he lies! He's a polished liar, but still a liar.
He holds his finger up to the winds of New Hampshire and mouths what he thinks those people want to hear. Then he offers proposals, such as tax changes, that do not match his claims. After all, how many people look at the details? If Rubio simply SAYS his 'plan' accomplishes what he SAYS it does, many people simply accept that as truth. Too bad it isn't!
The GOP long ago discovered the power of 'the big lie' and pretty much all of their candidates follow that principle!
He holds his finger up to the winds of New Hampshire and mouths what he thinks those people want to hear. Then he offers proposals, such as tax changes, that do not match his claims. After all, how many people look at the details? If Rubio simply SAYS his 'plan' accomplishes what he SAYS it does, many people simply accept that as truth. Too bad it isn't!
The GOP long ago discovered the power of 'the big lie' and pretty much all of their candidates follow that principle!
4
Youthful inexperience?
Ponder this: Our Founding Fathers had NO EXPERIENCE in the American political spectrum. Yet, they forged everything to establish our country.
Ponder this: Our Founding Fathers had NO EXPERIENCE in the American political spectrum. Yet, they forged everything to establish our country.
2
Quite a bit different now that we are a superpower that deals regularly on a global stage with other superpowers. I would hope the trial and error would have ended long ago. We need to have higher expectations for our leaders.
3
You sound as though you're quoting Dr. Carson's misstatement from a few days ago about how none of the signers of the Declaration had political experience. Actually, almost all of them did. Most of the "Founders" were legislators in their home states. Indeed, 41 of the 55 signers of the Constitution were members of the Continental Congress. Most of them had held political office in their state or local governments.
The idea that they were political novices who happened to mostly get it right makes for a good story, but the story has no basis in fact.
The idea that they were political novices who happened to mostly get it right makes for a good story, but the story has no basis in fact.
4
That is a false statement. Of those who drafted the Constitution, about four-fifths had been members of the Continental Congress. Essentially all of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia had state or national political experience; most also had local political experience, too.
He's not too young, he's too short. Marco Rubio is short in stature, short in his personal fiances, and short in new policies. Mr. Rubio just does not add up in any way toward being seen as a strong leader of the free world.
5
It's not that he's "too young", it's the fact that he *looks* "too young". And it doesn't help that his boyish looks make him look even younger than his 44 years. This is probably why Cruz never gets questioned about his age. Other than the fact that he is currently not much of a threat to gain the nomination, his cynical brow makes him look older.
4
Rubio is too financially irresponsible in his personal life, and thereby too hypocritical with his sanctimonious rhetoric about the need for fiscal responsibility at the federal level.
12
He is not too young. Judge him on his policies and personal qualities. Personally, I am not impressed that he got caught up in the Florida real estate mania in a way that was worse than average. Looks greedy and unwise.
3
The truth is irrelevant here. Those who buy into his story and actually support his views will vote for him no matter what evidence is presented. If voters support candidates who don't believe in evolution, why wouldn't they buy into other fantasies, like building a wall is the answer to immigration problems. The only hope is that Dems and others who actually understand science and the real world, come out to vote.
7
Mr. Rubio's chronological age is belied by his old and outmoded ideas, from military interventionism to opposition to marriage equality to retrograde thinking on reproductive rights to Cold War-era positions on Cuba to know-nothing attitudes toward science to....
Looking just at the political positions he espouses, Rubio is older than Bernie Sanders.
Looking just at the political positions he espouses, Rubio is older than Bernie Sanders.
10
Marco Rubio cannot manage his OWN finances why should we trust him with the finances of the United States, for example when he got his first high paycheck instead of paying his debts he bought himself a yacht. No wonder he has to get in bed with all these rich old men. Don't trust him with America.
10
Ted Cruz comes across as a smarmy creep, which makes him seem older and more lecherous than Rubio, who will be crushed by Hillary if and when she ever gets to debate him. Rubio often looks like a child who is about to cry because he doesn't get his way.
5
I don't know if Rubio is too young for Republicans, but he is too wrong for the rest of us (and that wrongness pervades all too many areas).
See MikeC's earlier post for a partial list!
See MikeC's earlier post for a partial list!
4
Mr. Rubio said, “If I am the nominee, they will be the party of the past, and we will be the party of the 21st century.”
Let's see what "his party of the 21st century.” looks like:
1. Deny scientific facts such as Evolution and Climate Change
2. Deny women reproductive rights including denying abortion in cases of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother.
3. More tax cuts for the rich.
4. Block immigration overhaul.
5. Abolish Obamacare and don't offer an alternative plan.
6. Deny equal rights for gays and lesbians and same-sex marriage.
and on, and on
No thanks, Rubio may be young but his policies are more a throwback to the 1950's than 21st century.
Hillary may be older but her ideas and policies are up to date with the times!
Let's see what "his party of the 21st century.” looks like:
1. Deny scientific facts such as Evolution and Climate Change
2. Deny women reproductive rights including denying abortion in cases of rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother.
3. More tax cuts for the rich.
4. Block immigration overhaul.
5. Abolish Obamacare and don't offer an alternative plan.
6. Deny equal rights for gays and lesbians and same-sex marriage.
and on, and on
No thanks, Rubio may be young but his policies are more a throwback to the 1950's than 21st century.
Hillary may be older but her ideas and policies are up to date with the times!
29
Ted Cruz's age is not a factor because he doesn't look young -- he just looks creepy.
16
Yes. Joseph McCarthy II
3
Theodore Roosevelt became the youngest president only by being vice president and succeeding the assassinated McKinley. So he isn't a fair example.<br /><br />NYT editor: Thanks. Fair point. Adjustment made.
5
The reason Ted Cruz's age hasn't been a factor is that his ideas, policy positions and campaign approach are so wacko that reasonable people are turned off well before they get to the age issue.
I don't think of Rubio as young, mainly as a pandering lightweight - intellectual and character-wise.
I don't think of Rubio as young, mainly as a pandering lightweight - intellectual and character-wise.
14
I agree with RF from Houston. I think the operative word when it comes to judging Cruz is wacko. He is an aimless wanderer; a classic politician in the worst meaning of the word.
The entire Republican line up is shallow and scary. Can you really imagine one of these people as the Head of The United States of America - really !!
The entire Republican line up is shallow and scary. Can you really imagine one of these people as the Head of The United States of America - really !!
8
My sense is that Rubio is narcissistic and mainly driven by ego. He desperately wants to be "American Idol".
I think he needs to take on a realty TV show of some sort. I'll wish him the best of luck with that. And he will need it.
We are in trouble with the current "contestants" to choose from.
The only one who cares about working for the American people, the country, or the future of the world is an Independent Democrat who most think doesn't stand much of a chance.
Good luck world.
I think he needs to take on a realty TV show of some sort. I'll wish him the best of luck with that. And he will need it.
We are in trouble with the current "contestants" to choose from.
The only one who cares about working for the American people, the country, or the future of the world is an Independent Democrat who most think doesn't stand much of a chance.
Good luck world.
11
Speaking skills aside, it is not only his math that is wobbly - his grammar is as well: that would be fewer philosophers, not less - less is used when using nouns that cannot be counted, fewer is used when using nouns - that is, philosophers - that can be counted.
I am surprised I have not seen one comment on that grammatical error in that most quoted line.
I am surprised I have not seen one comment on that grammatical error in that most quoted line.
11
Not being American but very interested in American politics, I would like to say as a foreign observer that you should consider if the candidate to conduct your great country has the intellectual preparation and the character to lead the Nation to fulfill a vision that is shared by the majority of the population. A vision that brings back America to be the strong leader of the free world that used to be. A vision that unite the country and can show the road to a better future for all the Americans. And if the US is doing well, the whole world will be better off. So, if that person is 42 or 60 years old who cares. If Mr Rubio meets all the conditions to be that man, so be it.
2
Age is not a differentiator. It is experience and vision. He doesn't have the experience of JFK but he is about equal with BHO. BHO and WJC have remarkable intelligence that shows.
Most older voters are waiting for his vision statement. His ability to articulate that statement in a fashion that is believable to the intellectual establishment & to common Americans is critical to his success as a candidate. I am not saying that it won't come because it is a long time until the election but thus far I have not heard it.
The candidates with vision, integrity and record to back it up are typically grandparents.
There haven't been any tough votes for Senator Rubio. He could not muster the force or leadership to break the Congressional logjam that retarded US economic recovery & he has been totally unable to envision a plan to slow the concentration of wealth and mal-distribution of incomes. Everyone knows that wages for 80% of the working population have been stagnant and he did not address this issue in his Senate speeches or in this campaign.
He has no military, foreign relations, or intelligence experience and would be a huge risk to address the national security challenge of certain global warming & ocean acidification.
The member of the GOP with the qualifications to lead is Michael Bloomberg.
So, I envision a brokered convention in which Mr. Bloomberg will be given the opportunity to describe the realities of our time & accept the GOP nomination.
Most older voters are waiting for his vision statement. His ability to articulate that statement in a fashion that is believable to the intellectual establishment & to common Americans is critical to his success as a candidate. I am not saying that it won't come because it is a long time until the election but thus far I have not heard it.
The candidates with vision, integrity and record to back it up are typically grandparents.
There haven't been any tough votes for Senator Rubio. He could not muster the force or leadership to break the Congressional logjam that retarded US economic recovery & he has been totally unable to envision a plan to slow the concentration of wealth and mal-distribution of incomes. Everyone knows that wages for 80% of the working population have been stagnant and he did not address this issue in his Senate speeches or in this campaign.
He has no military, foreign relations, or intelligence experience and would be a huge risk to address the national security challenge of certain global warming & ocean acidification.
The member of the GOP with the qualifications to lead is Michael Bloomberg.
So, I envision a brokered convention in which Mr. Bloomberg will be given the opportunity to describe the realities of our time & accept the GOP nomination.
2
Would be similar to Bush, who came in with no experience what so ever (governor of Texas has little power)...and Bush then ignored Clinton security advisers, including Richard Clarke, advice and refused briefings on Al Qaeda which led to 9/11.
11
Great example. I agree.
That Hillary Clinton has flaws, of course; but she knows enough not to drive the truck into an abyss for lack of experience. Marco Rubio does speak well, granted, but is otherwise vacuous in his remarks, no doubt out of ignorance and, its corollary, arrogance. He would be toxic to common sense measures requiring reflection, introspection, understanding of the complexities in today's world, and the fine balance required of a statesman to govern well. So far, he has demonstrated fidelity to the far-right Tea Party, particularly in denying science, evolution and human contribution to climate change, an awful combination for someone so young and already so rigid.
15
How can he capture any youth vote if he is against science, including climate change? He won't get any black vote at all, nor much youth vote. Is only asset is that he would probably win Florida, which IS critical to GOP chances. He will get a bit of the Cuban anti-cuban relations vote, but the youth don't feel that way and want to normalize relations).They must also have Ohio (where Obama won by taking the Cleveland area), but show little interest in the only semi-sane candidate, Kasich.
9
Marco Rubio is scary and vapid...Eve Harrington in a suit: "All about Eve"...
A 44 yr old male Eve with 44 year old ideas for how America would be great again if only we can go back to Reagans "Morning in America" A candidate for the 21st century....as seen from 1984
.....Vapid
A 44 yr old male Eve with 44 year old ideas for how America would be great again if only we can go back to Reagans "Morning in America" A candidate for the 21st century....as seen from 1984
.....Vapid
13
Rubio too young??? John McCain was too young for Republicans.
4
Maybe youth has something to do with being a strident radical.
2
Rubio cannot do math on a micro or a macro level. He is glib but his glib utterances are often incorrect (see welder vs philosopher salary). He is, as they say in Texas, "All hat and no cattle."
14
Rubio appears callow, immature, unprepared, and inexperienced. His so-called "winning" debate performances were based on well-rehearsed talking points, memorization, and a scripted aggressive tone. His paid lackeys are doing a good job in terms of presentation but they cannot obfuscate the obvious lack of substance. The difference between Rubio and Cruz is that the former is indeed child-like whereas the latter is scary, threatening, and very, very off-putting.
11
Very very easy softball questions for the most part from last night's debate. In a debate on issues VS Clinton he will get killed, when he can't do his prepared campaign speech. Of course, that DOES depend on moderators who INSIST that questions be answered before moving on. And, when they lie in their answers, IMMEDIATELY call them out on it. Perhaps the League of Women Voters will have real moderators, but I'm not hopeful. Any of us here on this forum would be better moderators than what we have seen so far.
8
Definitely a relevant question by Toni Monkovic. For Republicans? Yes. But the real answer is that it's Rubio's sometimes awkward thought process rather than his age. Still, a couple of weeks ago I listened to a speech he gave and it actually sounded a little Kennedyesque. There was a guarded, optimistic call to raise this nation to greater heights that was not in keeping with Rubio's typical confusion in developing a thesis. But I think that his speech was lost on Republicans.
The reality is that it's not age, but capability and vision that makes a good president, of which Kennedy is the quintessential example on the young side. Many will add Reagan to the old side. For Republicans, I guess they do feel more comfortable with an older candidate, in general. But to reiterate, that is no guarantee of capability.
Cruz is a little one-off. I think that most voters can't see him as their candidate. I think that his eccentricity masks any criticism of his age; indeed, maybe that characteristic makes him appear older to Republican voters. In theory, his cum laude degrees from Princeton and Harvard should produce better thought. Perhaps he's just playing the conservative audience the way other conservative media personalities have. It's disingenuous, and maybe indicative of an older mind to Republicans, one that shows experience in manipulating the voter base after years in office.
The reality is that it's not age, but capability and vision that makes a good president, of which Kennedy is the quintessential example on the young side. Many will add Reagan to the old side. For Republicans, I guess they do feel more comfortable with an older candidate, in general. But to reiterate, that is no guarantee of capability.
Cruz is a little one-off. I think that most voters can't see him as their candidate. I think that his eccentricity masks any criticism of his age; indeed, maybe that characteristic makes him appear older to Republican voters. In theory, his cum laude degrees from Princeton and Harvard should produce better thought. Perhaps he's just playing the conservative audience the way other conservative media personalities have. It's disingenuous, and maybe indicative of an older mind to Republicans, one that shows experience in manipulating the voter base after years in office.
3
Is Rubio Too Young for Republicans? Actually all GOP candidates and Hillary Rodham Clinton are just too stupid for America!
Rubio is mentally younger than Cruz as can be seen in his symplistic logic and poor judgment. Mr. Obama's change in our Cuba policy is a good thing, Rubio's change on immagration is bad. The last thing our tax code needs is more tax credits. Aid for families should be based on family wealth and need.
13
At age 43 Kennedy at least had the connections to attract intelligent aides and advisors to his administration. Who would Rubio bring in - John Bolton? Pudge Kagan? And who would he put on the supreme court?
Yes, Obama was also young and leaned on the wrong crowd to bail out the banksters, an early unforced error.
Yes, Obama was also young and leaned on the wrong crowd to bail out the banksters, an early unforced error.
7
Kennedy had been to war, saw action in the south Pacific, was wounded, and acted courageously to save himself and his men. Rubio has um ... a nice haircut.
22
I disagree on the hair cut. Rubio looks somewhat effeminate.
1
Another candidate who has tried to re-write his family history, who has had questionable financial dealings and skills, who has been propped up for years by a Florida millionaire.
His performance last night was a re-hash of his typical stump speech. More expenditures for an already bloated military budget and fewer taxes and less oversight for large corporations and banks.
And Marco, philosophers are paid more, on the average, than welders.
(Side note to the Republican party - the Hispanic vote is not monolithic. And the number of old Cubans in Miami who are conservative Republicans is shrinking each year)
His performance last night was a re-hash of his typical stump speech. More expenditures for an already bloated military budget and fewer taxes and less oversight for large corporations and banks.
And Marco, philosophers are paid more, on the average, than welders.
(Side note to the Republican party - the Hispanic vote is not monolithic. And the number of old Cubans in Miami who are conservative Republicans is shrinking each year)
17
Rubio tried to rewrite his family history? His parents weren't immigrants? They didn't work as a bartender and maid? Rubio hasn't done better than his parents?
Rubio has good ideas, good speaking skills and doesn't work from a teleprompter.
You need to look up what welders make.
Rubio has good ideas, good speaking skills and doesn't work from a teleprompter.
You need to look up what welders make.
100% right on hispanic vote, Cuban and mexican vote not at all the same. Its a white man and womans blindness to think so. Simply amazing a smart commentaror would think the two groups are more than marginally aligned. And alignment is basically only in their grouping by whites.
6
There is a lot of animosity between the different nationalities of Hispanic people but from what I've noticed most of them are united in their dislike of the Cubans, so Rubio and Cruz will do little or nothing to help the GOP get Latino voters. Also note to Marco: While you're out there campaigning maybe you'll get a tour of an auto plant. They have ROBOTS that weld now so that's not really a job with much of a future.
4
Too young .. And as Rand Paul noted last night .. Math is not his strength
$1T additional for defense -plus- $1T for domestic (child related) = $2T
Where does he expect to get that type of coin?
Free stuff incarnate :-)
$1T additional for defense -plus- $1T for domestic (child related) = $2T
Where does he expect to get that type of coin?
Free stuff incarnate :-)
20
Rubio's callowness and bluster make his lack of experience seem particularly palpable. He tends to speak in clichés and does not seem to have a deep knowledge of the world, history, science, human nature, even the U.S. Rather, he comes across as a high school actor or debater--good at learning lines and finding cues that will allow him to start in on his prepared monologues. There is very little thoughtfulness to be found in his demeanor or his speeches; his large collection of speeding tickets seems to be a better indicia of his personality and true nature than anything he says (though, honestly, I find him very hard to listen to--he just seems so completely canned.)
26
Obama changed the rules. Experience and evidence of good judgement no longer matter. What matters is having a good life story and not being a white male. While I personally (an older white male) would prefer someone who has more experience, I believe Rubio is the Republican who is most electable and will therefore support him.
1
Obama was a little excessively conciliatory to his enemies. It took him a while to recognize that the partisanship was not philosophical or debatable - instead it was all about money and power. To say Rubio is the electable Republican as *THE* reason for supporting him is to erase any shred of rationale or negative concern about President Obama. On any dimension President Obama is head and shoulders above any current Republican candidate including Bush the Weak or Kasich the Mutterer. Rubio remains the unarmed Florida Man in any battle of wits.
9
Despite a coordinated effort to cast Sen Rubio as a "great orator with a storybook family history" who is the choice of Republican voters with an eye to the future, Sen Rubio's past performance and the facts of his family history do not support these fantasies. He has not represented the interests of the majority of Florida voters during the Great Bush II Recession and is not presenting ideas the majority of Florida voters find as attractive as his admittedly "boyish good looks".
Sen Rubio is not now and will not be in the future qualified to be president. If nominated and (heaven forbid) elected, he will be a puppet of the special interests who control him now. If we thought Bush II damaged the US, Sen Rubio presents an even greater threat to American values, prosperity and safety.
Sen Rubio is not now and will not be in the future qualified to be president. If nominated and (heaven forbid) elected, he will be a puppet of the special interests who control him now. If we thought Bush II damaged the US, Sen Rubio presents an even greater threat to American values, prosperity and safety.
35
I don't think his youth is so much a problem as the fact that he's probably too extreme for the general election. His stance on abortion for example. He believes all women who are raped should be made to have a child against their will. If the GOP win in 2016, they'll likely have all three branches of government under their control and a chance to diminish or outright overturn Row Vs Wade. Rubio is the most likely to want to push for that.
33
All women except his daughter(s) no doubt.
17
The last 2 letters are so different from my assessment of Rubio and everyone I know. He seems the embodiment of NOT being your own person.
Not sure why white women would support a young guy who has trouble with money, has been supported by and represents wealthy old men for quite a while, and he has an ideologically and fundamentalism type religious view for women's family planning. Carry a rapist's child?? No way. He does not get it.
Not sure why white women would support a young guy who has trouble with money, has been supported by and represents wealthy old men for quite a while, and he has an ideologically and fundamentalism type religious view for women's family planning. Carry a rapist's child?? No way. He does not get it.
52
Marco Rubio is being bolstered by the press looking for Camelot in the Republican party. What a shame! His record is less than stellar...with Florida so poorly represented by him in the Senate.
The American public deserves better than any of these clowns who are feeding fear and misinformation to the electorate.
The American public deserves better than any of these clowns who are feeding fear and misinformation to the electorate.
18
In his effort to overcome what is seen by many as his callow youthfulness, Marco Rubio tried to play the ever-vigilant warrior, continually emphasizing military preparedness during Fox's Tuesday night debate. But frankly, I wouldn't trust him to lead a Boy Scout troop on a day trip through a small state park, much less be commander-in-chief of the world's most powerful armed forces.
38
Rubio is a marvelous screen for any image you want to project onto him. He is bland, and follows the proscribed route of saying nothing to disturb anyone. His youth helps him; he has little past to fight the projected images.
Cruz doesn't get the same criticism, because he doesn't make anyone think of bland callow youth. He makes them either embrace, or go running in fear from, a persona that channels something vicious.
If I were to try to fit candidates into characters from the Wizard of Oz, I could accept Rubio as Scarecrow or Tin Man, in search of a brain or a heart; I'd make Cruz the Wicked Witch, or at the very least one of the flying monkeys.
Cruz doesn't get the same criticism, because he doesn't make anyone think of bland callow youth. He makes them either embrace, or go running in fear from, a persona that channels something vicious.
If I were to try to fit candidates into characters from the Wizard of Oz, I could accept Rubio as Scarecrow or Tin Man, in search of a brain or a heart; I'd make Cruz the Wicked Witch, or at the very least one of the flying monkeys.
28
No doubt he's smart, but his judgment on money matters is pretty iffy. He clearly wants to be in with the wealthy and powerful and politics is his key. He is very ambitious. Not bad in itself unless it is too obvious.
What all that boils down to- he's just not seasoned enough, questionable judgment, flip-flopping on immigration, extreme anti-choice- that's a lot to overcome in the general election.