D.C. whisper campaign targeting Marco Rubio
In recent months, a whispering campaign has spread in Washington suggesting that Rubio may look good on paper, but he cannot “pass vet” for the vice presidential nomination. The whispers became more audible last October following a hit piece by Washington Post reporter Manuel Roig-Franzia, who accused Rubio of deliberately “embellishing” his family history by saying that his parents arrived in the United States after Castro took power when they, in fact, arrived during the Batista years. (I pointed out at the time that the story offered zero evidence that Rubio intentionally misled anyone)…
The Great Whisperer has used these stories to plant seeds of doubt about Rubio: How well do we really know this guy? What else is there in his record? Indeed, the whispers are making their way into the mainstream commentary. Even in ranking Rubio first on his vice presidential list, The Post’s Chris Cillizza writes, “We hear whispers that his time in the state legislature could be mined by a good opposition researcher.” And this month, the National Journal downgraded Rubio’s position on its vice presidential power rankings because, it claimed, Rubio “skated into office without much of his past being vetted in the media. That would change in a hurry if he’s tapped for the vice presidency, and coming four years after Sarah Palin had such trouble adjusting to harsh scrutiny, that’s a very real concern for some Republicans. After all, Tallahassee has its own secrets.” (Miami Herald political reporter Marc Caputo vigorously disputes the suggestion that Rubio was elected without proper scrutiny by the Florida press corps.)
Rubio spokesman Alex Conant explains, “The fact that that is all they can say, and they can’t point to any specifics, kind of says all you need to know.”
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For me, Rubio sounds too much like John McCain. We can do better – especially if it’s Romney on the top of the ticket.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 3:27 PM
God knows, we wouldn’t want to have anybody in the Executive branch who hadn’t been fully vetted by the press!
Steven Den Beste on March 26, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Who would you suggest?
Punchenko on March 26, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Its about time somebody starting looking into Obama.
joey24007 on March 26, 2012 at 3:30 PM
What are you talking about?? We read his autobiography!!
/msm
CurtZHP on March 26, 2012 at 3:32 PM
Romney will get the independents that now have buyer’s remorse, and Rubio will get the “white” Hispanic vote.
0bama will be sent packing, and the GOP has a lock in the executive branch for perhaps 16 years.
It’s a natural.
Droopy on March 26, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Guess these are worried about Rubio being asked to vp? I would still like him to stay where he is now. I really do like Rubio and he might do real well in the future as president or vp?
L
letget on March 26, 2012 at 3:34 PM
Ok, I’m certainly not on the “Rubio for VP” bandwagon as anyone who reads my posts can attest. But this is just absurd. He wasn’t vetted when he ran for the Senate? Dude had to fend off Chuck Crist AND Kendrick Meeks in order to be elected. Basically he faced off against 2 Democrats, so believe me, if there was some smoking gun that could’ve been used against him, it would’ve been.
Now that’s not to say the Democrats and media(I know, I’m being redundant) can’t just make stuff up in order to smear Rubio should he be tapped for the VP slot. After all, most of the negative stories about Palin were based on hearsay or complete fabrications. And as we saw with her, the Democrat/media complex had no qualms about going after her family in order to destroy her. So Rubio’s wife and his 4 kids as well as his Cuban parents will be fair game in the minds of the American left.
But this “whisper campaign” is just a bunch of BS created out of thin air in order to scare the GOP off of the guy. Which tells me maybe their internal polling shows him adding a lot to the ticket.
Doughboy on March 26, 2012 at 3:34 PM
For the sake of getting even, I would take some sick pleasure out of calling libs racist for smearing Rubio.
The Count on March 26, 2012 at 3:34 PM
Keep in mind this is the same corrupt press that helps “embellish” the background of Democrats. The corrupt media has no problems with “embellishments” from Democrats themselves.
This is the same corrupt press that had no problems with Hillary dodging bullets that didn’t exist.
This is the same corrupt press that didn’t care that Obama said he was conceived in Selma.
I am not even going into the scandals of Obama, just the “embellishments” that give heart-ache to the corrupt media when it is a Republican.
GardenGnome on March 26, 2012 at 3:36 PM
While the question of vetting is an open one, part of this “whisper campaign” is just common sense. The guy has only been in the Senate a little over a year. We can do better.
McDuck on March 26, 2012 at 3:37 PM
Rand Paul, but something tells me that borderline Ginger wouldn’t make the cut when it comes to GOP pandering.
I think you’ll see Mitt go for someone like Rubio (1 pander), Martinez (2 panders)
Of course, he could shock us by picking someone like Tim Pawlenty (the clones).
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 3:37 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHA! NOW the NJ notices “vetting”, a shame they didn’t four years ago. Meh.
ABO2012
herm2416 on March 26, 2012 at 3:40 PM
To be fair, wouldn’t picking Rand Paul also be considered a “pander”? A Tea Party conservative with Southern cred, who just happens to be the son of Ron Paul?
GOPRanknFile on March 26, 2012 at 3:42 PM
It won’t matter.
If there’s no dirt on Rubio, the left/MSM will make something up.
Purple Fury on March 26, 2012 at 3:45 PM
True, but at least it would be a pander to principled people; or, if you think about it, a sign of good intentions … the proverbial olive branch to the base (?).
It should be sad that our party feels the need to put X on the ticket to attract group Y. I realize this may be necessary for “victory,” but it reflects an unhealthy current in our society.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 3:46 PM
The whispering campaign seems mostly pointless.
If he can’t “pass vet” the Romney campaign will find that out soon enough.
Hell, the rumors might bring more scrutiny to Rubio, which will make the vetting easier.
Mister Mets on March 26, 2012 at 3:48 PM
lol @ white Hispanics for Rubio.
El_Terrible on March 26, 2012 at 3:49 PM
They tell you who they don’t want by virtue of whom they preemptively try to eliminate from the competition.
That said, Team Romney should be doing their own vetting of Rubio if they have any plans of tapping him for the VP nod, because as with Palin, the pushback will be viscous, because the Democrats don’t want to have the Republicans rip away the special interest group card. Just as they tried to anoint Barack Obama with Absolute Moral Authority just be virtue of him being the first African-American president, so they want to be able to do the same when the first Hispanic or female president rolls around. They can’t let the GOP steal the card, which is why the attacks on Rubio would dwarf even the bile that would be thrown at a Chris Christie by the left (though being an ex-governor from the northeast, Romney would be an idiot to pick Christie and provide virtually no regional balance to the ticket).
jon1979 on March 26, 2012 at 3:49 PM
I understand your frustration and concern, but the fact is when a VP is picked, it’s always, for the most part, going to be a political choice. Some sort of pandering is going to take place. Rubio and Martinez both have conservative records so it’s not as if either would be chosen only because he/she is Hispanic…just like Palin wasn’t chosen only because she was a woman.
GOPRanknFile on March 26, 2012 at 3:50 PM
I suppose that after the WaPo’s hit job and Univision’s blackmail attempt failed to leave a dent in him, the Democrat-media complex is still exploring its options.
KingGold on March 26, 2012 at 3:50 PM
Mormon/Former Mormon ticket.
Evangelicals will turn out in numbers to support this based on the evidence in the Bible belt states. /
liberal4life on March 26, 2012 at 3:51 PM
I thought Rand would have been a good pick, but in the end there will be pandering and more pandering. Jindal would also be an interesting pick since he is a Southern governor, of Indian descent, and was educated in the North and at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Too bad everyone remembers Jindal’s terrible SOTU rebuttal and the awkwardness he projects from time to time.
The last thing we need is a double dose of awkwardness on our ticket which is why I think cool, young, and charismatic Rubio will ultimately get the slot.
Punchenko on March 26, 2012 at 3:52 PM
Romney does need to vet him better. McCain let Palin out to dry. Please not another rehash of 2008. If he’s not ready/skeletons in his closet…fine, but don’t let it highjack the narrative all autumn before the election. Vet carefully!
inthemiddle on March 26, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Dont know if I’ve mentioned this before, but you’re the bigot you guys are always claiming we are.
El_Terrible on March 26, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Well, if we must, go with Martinez. You get more; plus she’s not calling for intervention around the world. At least she seems a little bit more level headed.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Given that Jindal hasn’t swung Romney’s way and … oh, I was just about to say I bet Romney could get LA, but WHO knows!!!
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Yeah, Martinez is the dark horse. She would be a good pick. Governor, Mexican-American, conservative record, intelligent, articulate, impressive resume, governs and has high approval ratings in a state that is trending blue, and extremely likable.
GOPRanknFile on March 26, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Yeah, they most likely will turn out in droves. It will be sweet watching Mitt and Ann wave goodbye to the Obamas from the steps of the Capitol as they board Marine One.
Punchenko on March 26, 2012 at 4:01 PM
Read: I might not agree with her on everything, but she doesn’t whine and seems to have some common sense.
I can even respect her conversion story.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:02 PM
Mitt, Ann, and Ann. Remember, Ann didn’t sell out for nothing! Plus, am I the only one that noticed Ann Coulter is morphing into Ann Romney?
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:04 PM
No need to ask about the sticky pages.
SouthernGent on March 26, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Jindal is the smart choice, but since I want him to actually be President, it is probably best for him not to join the losing Romney team. Rubio is simply too new and will be labeled a pander pick, but I fully expect the Romney team to go there.
McDuck on March 26, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Does a child’s “choice” of religion at age 8 really define his beliefs? At this age, boys still believe that the Easter bunny exists and that girls have cooties. My guess is that this was emphasized to support the notion that he is some sort of Mormon Manchurian candidate. It’s 2012′s version of the Birther controversy.
blammm on March 26, 2012 at 4:05 PM
I suppose Ann Romney will become the new fashionable Jackie O who every conservative woman will want to emulate. I’m OK with that — it sure beats Michelle’s preachy nonsense and the constant banter about her arms. I recall Brian Williams saying something about how the White House was “managing a star” when it came to Michelle Obama. Ugh, November cannot come soon enough.
Punchenko on March 26, 2012 at 4:08 PM
I think Santorum is going to choose Bachmann as his VP.
El_Terrible on March 26, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Now, that would be the risky “pander.” Grassroots ppl might be more fired up; but the media will attack her relentlessly — #waronwomen.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:12 PM
He will most likely go with Snarlin’ Arlen so he could have a shot at carrying his home state (since that will be the only state he might take in the GE.)
Punchenko on March 26, 2012 at 4:14 PM
With Romney at the top of the ticket, we’d be lucky to have someone as conservative as Rubio in the VP slot.
He’ll probably screw up and pick somebody like Susan Collins.
UltimateBob on March 26, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Rubio will not be VP, he has said repeatedly that he doesn’t want it. Like with Christie, “no means no.” At this point talking about Rubio being Romney’s VP is just wishcasting.
I recall an article on here a few weeks ago where Romney staffers supposedly claimed they had no interest in Martinez.
The most likely candidates are Ryan or Pawlenty, IMO.
Doomberg on March 26, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Olympia Snowe is free.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Didn’t ZzzPaw take himself off that list? *snicker
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:17 PM
Romney/Santorum, because that’s what the GOP deserves.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:17 PM
Romney just said he’s not interested in following Santorum’s remarks these days… I guess that blows apart my above “dream ticket”
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:20 PM
The problem I see with Martinez is that she hasn’t had time in Washington. That is usually a prerequisite for VP. Other than that, she’s golden.
Harpoon on March 26, 2012 at 4:23 PM
I am sorry, but it must be Rubio.
Senator from the great state of Florida (“The Hanging Chad State”).
When the Jeb’ster calls you to serve your country, you do not say “No.”
Droopy on March 26, 2012 at 4:24 PM
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/national/article1221541.ece
Coincidence? I think not.
GOPRanknFile on March 26, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Rubio will NOT be the VP.
If it’s Mitt, it will be Gov. McDonnell.
Schadenfreude on March 26, 2012 at 4:46 PM
I’ll take that as a plus.
MeatHeadinCA on March 26, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Indeed. The New Mexican media tried extremely hard to get Lt. Gov. Diane Denish elected but Martinez handled the whole thing impressively. It also helped that she dominated Denish in the debates.
GOPRanknFile on March 26, 2012 at 4:53 PM
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