Rubio vs. Rand vs. Ryan: The race for conservative mantle in 2016
The reason Rubio ranks lower in the National Journal rankings is largely because of social issues, on which Rubio scores a 70 and Paul scores a 90. Both rank among the most conservative senators on both fiscal and foreign policy issues.
The two of them are also neck and neck on Heritage Action’s ongoing scorecard, with both of them tied for the second-highest score among current senators (96).
Make no mistake: Rubio, Paul and their advisers are keenly aware of how the other guy is voting on any given issue. Paul’s people think Rubio has been trending more conservative in order to keep pace with Paul, while Rubio’s people emphasize that he has been among the most conservative senators in the chamber over his first two years and remains in good stead with the tea party, which helped him (and Paul) win election in 2010.
Such is the nature of Republican primaries these days. Basically every Republican is afraid of being the next target of the tea party because he or she hasn’t been a down-the-line conservative. And any potential 2016 presidential candidate needs to be careful not to venture into RINO (Republican In Name Only) territory — particularly when the other guy is staying pure.
Blowback
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Rubio is not a conservative, He does not want to conserve America. He wants to Mexifornicate America.
VorDaj on February 22, 2013 at 8:32 PM
Actions speak louder than words.
For now I’d rather look at governors. I’ll be impressed with someone in Congress if they actually take it to Obama and the Dems.
(Rubio, that means every time you have your photo made with the likes of Schumer, your stock goes down).
INC on February 22, 2013 at 8:34 PM
Rand.
/thread
SirGawain on February 22, 2013 at 8:35 PM
…vs. Jindal.
Bobby’s by far the most accomplished. And he’s their age.
itsnotaboutme on February 22, 2013 at 8:48 PM
Give me a break. This kind of crap doesn’t help anyone.
MikeknaJ on February 22, 2013 at 8:50 PM
C’mon. You want him to run away screaming? Or take the pic scowling? Will that win votes?
itsnotaboutme on February 22, 2013 at 8:50 PM
I agree..I also think there will be others who will join in..
Dire Straits on February 22, 2013 at 8:52 PM
Jeb’s Waterboy is not a conservative.
I’m not interested in senators who were never governors and have no executive experience governing. They also have no experience as proven reformers.
Talk in the senate is cheap.
Democrats believe in Affirmative Action and rewarding for nothing not conservatives.
Jayrae on February 22, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Rand
Socmodfiscon on February 22, 2013 at 9:05 PM
Talk to Rubio. He’s the one who wants amnesty, not me. And his, in Orwell speak, calling it “earnesty” doesn’t fool anyone, not me anyway.
VorDaj on February 22, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Most amusing thing is that the evil guy who supposedly wants kill Nanas is a veritable lefty. Yes, Paul Ryan is a right of center guy who worked for Jack Kemp. Discuss. Also, Rubio is a moderate Republican whonwantsnto be President.. Discuss.
Illinidiva on February 22, 2013 at 9:20 PM
I don’t think the nominee will be any of those three.
ddrintn on February 22, 2013 at 9:22 PM
It’s so good we have people on here to point out who is and who isn’t a conservative/
thebrokenrattle on February 22, 2013 at 9:33 PM
WaPo. Might as well be talking about an alien species that they have just encountered and have absolutely no understanding of.
besser tot als rot on February 22, 2013 at 9:36 PM
You express sarcasm, but in doing so, you imply an opinion about the same – essentially doing that which you mock.
However, that being said – arguing about a pol’s conservatism is essentially, at least at HA, an expression of whether or not the commenter agrees with the pol’s positions. Which is kind of the entire point of political activism, and in particular, political blogs.
besser tot als rot on February 22, 2013 at 9:43 PM
Maybe the article itself clarifies this, but what is their definition of “conservative foreign policy”?
RINO in Name Only on February 22, 2013 at 9:47 PM
Agreed. I’ll also add “vs. McDonnell,” who will certainly make an attempt at it, and maybe not so much Ryan, who is looking more at advancing within Congress.
Gingotts on February 22, 2013 at 9:54 PM
The race to be the next establishment Republican who will talk tough about cutting spending and enforcing immigration laws.
Wigglesworth on February 22, 2013 at 10:04 PM
vs. Walker. Better than the rest.
nobar on February 22, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Umm.. You know that Walker came out in favor of some sort of legalization for undocumented workers today.. I suspected this because Ryan and Walker are BFFs.
Illinidiva on February 22, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Yup. Ryan will seek to become Speaker, a governor, or a senator before he runs for POTUS.
itsnotaboutme on February 22, 2013 at 10:24 PM
Rubio is establishment repub and does whatever his party tells him. Panders to win votes on immigration without caring about the health of the nation.
Senator Paul or Gov. Jindal are both excellent choices.
Panther on February 22, 2013 at 10:44 PM
Rand.
wildcat72 on February 22, 2013 at 11:10 PM
I think a Jindal/Pence (or vice versa) ticket would knock everyone’s socks off. Social conservatives will be happy, fiscal conservatives will be happy, Tea Party will be happy. Even ‘Rockefeller Republicans’ will be able to get behind those two.
Hostile Gospel on February 22, 2013 at 11:13 PM
Pence in 2016 could be formidable. And Scott Walker. No one in the media is talking about the governors.
MikeknaJ on February 22, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Translation: Please don’t tell me the truth, I prefer being lied to.
xblade on February 22, 2013 at 11:25 PM
Then he’s as bad as the rest.
NEXT!
xblade on February 22, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Rubio vs. Rand vs. Ryan
Hmmmmmmmm…….Ryan I guess
Dollayo on February 22, 2013 at 11:56 PM
Mr. “I agree with a hardcore Demoncrat 98% of the time” is right out.
MelonCollie on February 23, 2013 at 12:11 AM
Kind of ironic not one of them is conservative but they are vying for the conservative mantle….
unseen on February 23, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Any one of those mentioned would be a good VP for Palin.
Palin 2016
ChuckTX on February 23, 2013 at 8:49 AM