Politico reports:
Former Vice President Dick Cheney threw his support to Marco Rubio in the Florida GOP Senate primary Thursday, warning that "Charlie Crist cannot even be trusted to remain a Republican."
The Cheney endorsement represents the most significant national "get" to date for Rubio, and comes as Crist weighs bolting the Republican Party to run as an independent.
In a statement issued by Rubio's campaign, the former vice president urged Crist to stay in the primary or drop out of the race altogether. "The only winners from an independent bid by Crist would be Barack Obama and Harry Reid," Cheney said.
Crist's plunging poll numbers and open consideration of an independent run have prompted a stampede of previously neutral GOP figures to get behind Rubio. In less than a week, the former state House speaker has won support from 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor and now Cheney.
Rubio is the golden boy for conservatives, Tea Party members, and those disgusted with business as usual in the Sunshine State. Moreover, he has racked up massive support from traditional conservatives like South Carolina's Jim DeMint and has taken his long shot senate bid to a blistering lead.
Not on the surface unlike Rand Paul's fairing in Kentucky, Rubio still has much to prove as to whether he can match the level of consistent conservatism held by Paul. But that does not mean that Rubio isn't a conservative at all; I merely have my doubts. Truly, he may do well, or he may become a tool of the establishment and betray traditional conservatives views of spending, the role of government, foreign policy, etc.Those fears aside, Rubio has taken on the establishment in the form of Crist and now has them knocking at his door for support.
Not on the surface unlike Rand Paul's fairing in Kentucky, Rubio still has much to prove as to whether he can match the level of consistent conservatism held by Paul. But that does not mean that Rubio isn't a conservative at all; I merely have my doubts. Truly, he may do well, or he may become a tool of the establishment and betray traditional conservatives views of spending, the role of government, foreign policy, etc.Those fears aside, Rubio has taken on the establishment in the form of Crist and now has them knocking at his door for support.
I don't believe that Cheney's endorsement should look poorly upon Mr. Rubio. He cannot help it if an evil, neocon sees victory and desires to be on the winning bandwagon. Moreover, for some ignorant people, Cheney is still a positive figure who's support is a welcomed move. Of course, these people truly care little for the Constitution, conservatism, liberty, or the like--whether they realize it or not. For, one look at Cheney's record shows him to be one of the greatest opponents to liberty and the Constitution to ever hold the office of vice-president.
The real thing to be taken away form the ordeal is the irony in Cheney endorsement. He is obviously not committed to conservatism; he did endorse Clintonian Trey Grayson in KY. Therefore, in endorsing Rubio over Crist, Cheney is basically saying, "Don't vote for the guy like me!"
Crist is a big government type like Cheney. He has continuall betrayed principle and until a couple of weeks ago he was the establishment's man. Rubio on the other hand is the antithesis of Cheney. He seems to be committed to principle. Likewise, he is a Tea Party favorite and took on the party establishment with his choice to run.
If Cheney's endorsement means that he sees himself in Rubio, we should all be concerned. However, if he is telling us to shy from Crist/Cheney types, for once we should take his advice.
The real thing to be taken away form the ordeal is the irony in Cheney endorsement. He is obviously not committed to conservatism; he did endorse Clintonian Trey Grayson in KY. Therefore, in endorsing Rubio over Crist, Cheney is basically saying, "Don't vote for the guy like me!"
Crist is a big government type like Cheney. He has continuall betrayed principle and until a couple of weeks ago he was the establishment's man. Rubio on the other hand is the antithesis of Cheney. He seems to be committed to principle. Likewise, he is a Tea Party favorite and took on the party establishment with his choice to run.
If Cheney's endorsement means that he sees himself in Rubio, we should all be concerned. However, if he is telling us to shy from Crist/Cheney types, for once we should take his advice.
Cheney wouldn't have endorsed Rubio unless he saw something there that he liked.
ReplyDeleteOr look at it this way. Both Rand Paul and Marco Rubio have support of the so-called tea parties. Yet Cheney endorses only one of them. What's the difference that makes Rubio appealing to a neocon like Cheney that also makes Rand Paul unacceptable? Rubio's CPAC speech showed us that he is an apologist for the foreign policy status quo.
I wrote in my blog a while back that Rubio was just another face for big government Bush Republicanism. Rubio was, after all, an ally of Jeb Bush in Florida. The Cheney endorsement seals it.
In case you're interested (or are having trouble sleeping), here are my Rubio pieces:
http://uncouthruminations.blogspot.com/2010/02/dangerous-marco-rubio.html
http://uncouthruminations.blogspot.com/2009/10/compassionate-conservatism-revisited.html
Thanks. I'll check them out.
ReplyDeleteI have a buddy who is both a big libertarian and big Rubio guy. He is even placing people for the campaign. The funny thing is he was talking about how much of a "true conservative" Rubio was two months ago while my YAL buddies were, shaking their heads "no."
I have heard that his foreign policy isn't the only thing suspect. I've heard he has a some questionable votes on his record as a state legislator.