Rubio Tells Conservatives They WILL Support the Nominee
EmailMarco Rubio stepped onto the stage at CPAC knowing that part of his job was to jolt conservatives while telling them that they’ll have to support the Republican nominee for president even if it’s not exactly who they want.
The sprawling ballroom at the Marriott in northwest Washington, D.C., had filled up to hear the hero of the conservative movement speak. He was introduced by someone who called him a future president. He got a standing ovation before he even said a word.
And when Rubio spoke, he won them over. “He is a terrible president,” Rubio said of President Obama as the crowd erupted in cheers. “He cannot run on his record,” and he “has decided to pit Americans against each other,” the Florida senator said.
Noting that the Republican candidates have tried to portray themselves as the most like Ronald Reagan, Rubio jabbed that “the Democrats never fight over who’s more like Jimmy Carter.”
Rubio said he loves the GOP primary, and he told the people at the Conservative Political Action Conference not to “let the media convince you” that the process will divide the Republican Party. Instead, he said, all Republicans will come together behind the nominee (which many conservatives fear will be Mitt Romney, the moderate choice).
“You know that, right?” Rubio asked rhetorically.
Romney’s triple loss to Rick Santorum, another conservative, in this week’s three voting contests has sparked the storyline that Republican voters are simply not excited enough to rally behind the front-runner.
Despite Rubio’s plea to the conservative movement, it’s unclear whether the message got through. When one of the first speakers at CPAC ran through the list of candidates, Romney got only tepid applause, while Santorum’s name brought about whoops and cheers.
Thomas Beach, an Army veteran from Moulton, Ala., lamented after Rubio’s speech that the “Republican establishment” could endanger the party if it continues to “push people like Romney.”
“Rubio reflects what I believe in my heart,” Beach said. “I’m a conservative. I’m the base.”
Rubio, a young, telegenic senator who continuously has been on observers’ short lists as a nominee for vice president, spent most of his speech lambasting Obama on Medicare, energy, the military and the White House’s recent contraception mandate.
He also made a joke about Teleprompters that went over pretty well. He said it’s hard to find them in Washington because one person is hogging them all, meaning Obama.
“He says what most of us think,” said Polly Sullivan, a clinical researcher from Loveland, Ohio. “I hope that more people can hear him.”
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Republicans are idiots. Party before country, that’s their motto.
Posted by: Disgusted with gop | February 9, 2012, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
You know I read this entire story and no where did Rubio tell the audience that they WILL support the Republican nominee.
Posted by: newcountryman | February 9, 2012, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
VERY amusing. “Democrats NEVER fight over who’s more like Jimmy Carter”! And I NEVER see many Republicans fighting over being like ANY other Republican President other than their ONLY hero, the B Actor. They have ONE and the Dems have MANY. FDR, JFK, BILL CLINTON! Go ahead, have a party with Bill because he was STILL a WAY better President than even YOUR SINGLE Hero!! Also, Obama is a GOOD President and just because these FOOLS keep on repeating their LIES does NOT make them TRUE!!! They’ll realize this when they LOSE in November but as always, they will NEVER admit it.! OBAMA 2012!!!
Posted by: demNme5 | February 9, 2012, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Why can’t he run on his record? Employment improving, market improving, Bin Laden Dead.
Posted by: pksk531 | February 9, 2012, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
This is all so funny, Republicans are the ones deviding this country. Pitting americans against each other. They all seem to beleive its three, way or no way at all
Posted by: Rick M | February 9, 2012, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Great post DEMNME5
Posted by: Rick M | February 9, 2012, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
You know I read this entire story and no where did Rubio tell the audience that they WILL support the Republican nominee. Posted by: newcountryman | February 9, 2012, 12:24 pm.
Paragraph five (and six): “Instead, he said, all Republicans will come together behind the nominee (which many conservatives fear will be Mitt Romney, the moderate choice). “You know that, right?” Rubio asked rhetorically.”
Posted by: A Cynic | February 9, 2012, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm
Its amazing the mythicism that has been created about Ronald Reagan. Don’t get me wrong I liked him, but given todays Republican Party, even he wouldn’t have a chance! I hope someone could help me. I the article, a person pointed out that; “I’m a conservative.” Exactly what does that mean? Its sounds as if it goes far beyond fiscal constraint.
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | February 9, 2012, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
I have a solution to all of this, Romney should run for president in China where he has created more jobs, Obama remains president since he has done a great job, Rubio goes back to Cuba and we ship the extreme republican party to another extreme country, Taliban land Afghanistan. Dumb and Dumber and then there are Republicans.
Posted by: Abraham | February 9, 2012, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
When I was a young man, I behaved as an idiot; now, I am much older and hopefully wiser. Folks have to fogive Rubio, he is young and an idiot.
This crowd vividly shows the paradox of the Repub candidates. To win the nomination, they must appeal to this wierdos. But by doing so, they have sold their souls and lost the general election and guaranteed Obama’s reelection and a Democratic Congress.
Posted by: Bob Ramos | February 9, 2012, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
He has lost the white Independents, Catholics, and many many more.We are not going to feel guilty this time about not voting for a black boy. I really really hope that he says he lost because of racism.
Maybe the Black Panthers will go to war with us , that would be great clean up the country.YEAH
Posted by: drc6212 | February 9, 2012, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
So, DRC6212 you voted for the President simply because you felt guilty for the “black boy?” Please expound.
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | February 9, 2012, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
Republicans compromise with anyone??? Even other Republicans???? Not possible. They’ll stay home on election day.
Posted by: RRMorgan | February 9, 2012, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
Bush didn’t NEED a teleprompter because HE had an aide reading for him into the ear plugs he was wearing because he didn’t read well enough to use a teleprompter.
Posted by: Laura Nason | February 9, 2012, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Warren Buffett has it right. Last night he said that during the bush years “all yatchs rose with the tide”. This country needs the millionaires to pay their fair share, not like Romney who paid 13% in taxes. I could not believe all the repubs got mad about the positive Chrysler commercial during the Super Bowl.
Posted by: pt | February 9, 2012, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
He has lost the white Independents, Catholics, and many many more. We are not going to feel guilty this time about not voting for a black boy. Posted by: drc6212 | February 9, 2012, 1:31 pm.
A black boy? Wow, your racism is shining through bright and clear. For your information, Obama hasn’t “lost” white independents, Catholics, or any other large demographic group. That is pure Republican wishful thinking. For every mysogynistic white religious guy out there (who wouldn’t vote for Obama anyway), there is a WOMAN who understands the president stands up and fights for them.
Posted by: Disgusted with gop | February 9, 2012, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
I’m a Catholic and Obama hasn’t lost my vote!!! The difference with me and many is that we’re not taking our religion to the extreme. I believe in Jesus Christ and doing good whenever possible, that’s all that matters. And being a Catholic I can tell you I’ve used contraceptives. I believe God doesn’t judge anyone, people do. These Republicans are just still living in old times. OBAMA 2012!!
Posted by: HereInOmaha | February 9, 2012, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
Cuba remains a primitive Little Island and Marco Rubios.Ideas and beliefs
are no different than Castros to control and Brain Wash.
Miami was named by Forbes the most miserable city in the U.S.A.
Socialists breed socialism no matter what country they flee too!.
Posted by: America | February 9, 2012, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm
Lie Ruiio lie! That’s exactly how you excel so keep on doing what your best at. There’s a whole lot of people in the room just aching to be told what they want to hear so keep those cheers coming and lie Rubio lie.
Posted by: dan | February 9, 2012, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
That’s the purpose of having a party – to consolidate behind a nominee in order to give that person the best chance to win.
With that said, that’s an old concept. People will not consolidate behind Romney if they figure the best thing for the party is to let Obama win.
You see if Romney wins – with his ‘captive’ audience (conservatives) in his pocket, he’ll be free to pursue his Keynesian vision – VAT taxes, stimulus spending, larger government – vis-a-vis healthcare and a larger military – and its going to devastate the Republican party in the long run.
2 years into his presidency Republicans will lose both the house and senate, and 4 years, later the White House too.
Meanwhile the 16- 18 trillion dollar debt that Romney will start with will balloon to 22 trillion + by the time he’s booted out in disgrace.
It’s better to have Obama in for another term, and for Republicans to reorganize with a real alternative to Obama’s own Keynesian visions.
Posted by: RoboT | February 9, 2012, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
Mytakeonthis ~~ Actually DRC6212 said “We are not going to feel guilty this time about NOT voting for a black boy.” (capitalization mine) In other words, not s/he did not vote for Obama, but s/he knows the primary reason was because Obama is black. Of course, Obama is just as white as he is black, but that doesn’t compute with some people. There isn’t enough brain space to accommodate pesky little facts like that in the mind that thinks skin color is the only thing that matters.
Posted by: Joyce | February 9, 2012, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
How telling that the VERY FIRST posting in response to this article was from someone resorting to name calling. Not an intellectual argument against the stated policies of the Republican party. If you don’t like someone’s position on something, call them an idiot. Call their mother an idiot. But DO NOT have a reasoned, diliberate discussion on the issues of contention. Obama started long ago with his class warfare rhetoric. I suppose you’ll deny it’s class warfar. His speeches are certainly NOT designed to be uniting. Do you see a unifier’s vision in his speeches of late? Let’s take more from those who have more to fund wasteful, bloated government programs whose primary concern is keeping the Democrat voting bloc loyal. Nevermind that this president has already spent $5 TRILLION we don’t have. Nevermind this president ignored the findings/recommendations of his “debt commission” (Simpson/Bowles). Why doesn’t that bother anybody on the left? We all know why. It called for SERIOUS, ACTUAL reforms to entitlement programs. Those programs are key to keeping the Democrat voting bloc in place and loyal forever. I guess I don’t understand why people support the purposeful, financial dismantling of this country. Time to eat our peas (yes, Barack said that)! Let’s make the cuts now so our grandchildren aren’t completely screwed 50 years from now. If you’re among the handful of loons that believe debt doesn’t matter, please get the maximum cash advance from each one of your credit cards and forward the proceeds to me! Thank you, very much.
Posted by: s | February 9, 2012, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
How telling that the VERY FIRST posting in response to this article was from someone resorting to name calling. Not an intellectual argument against the stated policies of the Republican party. If you don’t like someone’s position on something, call them an idiot. Call their mother an idiot. But DO NOT have a reasoned, deliberate discussion on the issues of contention. Obama started long ago with his class warfare rhetoric. I suppose you’ll deny it’s class warfare. His speeches are certainly NOT designed to be uniting. Do you see a unifier’s vision in his speeches of late? Let’s take more from those who have more to fund wasteful, bloated government programs whose primary concern is keeping the Democrat voting bloc loyal. Never mind that this president has already spent $5 TRILLION we don’t have. Never mind this president ignored the findings/recommendations of his “debt commission” (Simpson/Bowles). Why doesn’t that bother anybody on the left? We all know why. It called for SERIOUS, ACTUAL reforms to entitlement programs. Those programs are key to keeping the Democrat voting bloc in place and loyal forever. I guess I don’t understand why people support the purposeful, financial dismantling of this country. Time to eat our peas (yes, Barack said that)! Let’s make the cuts now so our grandchildren aren’t completely screwed 50 years from now. If you’re among the handful of loons that believe debt doesn’t matter, please get the maximum cash advance from each one of your credit cards and forward the proceeds to me! Thank you, very much.
Posted by: s | February 9, 2012, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
Poisonous and vile . Rubio ( and Jindal ) need to take their conservative lie filled b/s back to where they cam from and sell it there . Good luck .
Posted by: davem | February 9, 2012, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
If country before party is patriotic, then what is party before country? That’s right. It’s treason.
However, since we can’t put a bullet in traitors in congress, the least we can do is vote them out of office.
Also, if they’re out of office it becomes easier to prosecute the most treasonous.
Posted by: Joie | February 9, 2012, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
“How telling that the VERY FIRST posting in response to this article was from someone resorting to name calling. Not an intellectual argument against the stated policies of the Republican party. …”
I suppose you did not see the article highlighting Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” anniversary? Only 20 comments. 19 spewed the most awful things while 1 pointed out how ridiculous it was for the Right-Less /Republicans to complain about someone who is only promoting health and exercise. The smart people stayed away and allowed those comments to stand by themselves. That way the WORLD could witness the idiocy first-hand.
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | February 9, 2012, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
“… they’ll have to support the Republican nominee for president even if it’s not exactly who they want.”
The hell I will; who do you think you are, Rubio? I’m my own man, and my vote is my own.
Posted by: Aaron Ververs | February 9, 2012, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
Teleprompter jokes? Really? I thought those went out with the birther conspiracies.
Oh, wait…
Posted by: Aaron Ververs | February 9, 2012, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
“…. But DO NOT have a reasoned, diliberate discussion on the issues of contention….”
You’re right. Two wrongs do not make a right. So, let’s look at these social issues because a President is responsible for more than just fiscal issues. You do not have an issue with Newt Gingrich and his marriages? More, how these marriages ended and began? According to my secretary (she has it streaming), someone in the CPAC audience stood up and said; “We shouldn’t have unmarried pregnant girls strutting the stage as if there’s nothing wrong.” O kay… I’ll buy that. But aren’t you the same people who pushed for Sarah Palin and her unmarried pregnant daughter Bristol? So… I’m with you… Let’s discuss the social issues of contention. Thanks!
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | February 9, 2012, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
Well, I don’t see any Republican candidates comparing themselves to THE LAST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.
Posted by: Quatermass | February 9, 2012, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
I don’t see any of them as good for the country. I see a lot of greed, lies, rhetoric and just plain stupidity. The ones that are so sure their party is the savior of this country are too far gone to reason with. Parties are NOT the answer, people are and it is going to take years of voting for the right people to get things fixed. Unfortunately I don’t see it happening in the maybe 20 to 30 years I have left on the planet. Good luck America, you’re going to need it!
Posted by: Tim C | February 9, 2012, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm
“How telling that the VERY FIRST posting in response to this article was from someone resorting to name calling. Not an intellectual argument against the stated policies of the Republican party. …”
I suppose you did not see the article highlighting Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” anniversary? Only 20 comments. 19 spewed the most awful things while 1 pointed out how ridiculous it was for the Right-Less /Republicans to complain about someone who is only promoting health and exercise. The smart people stayed away and allowed those comments to stand by themselves. That way the WORLD could witness the idiocy first-hand.
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61
_______________________
When Cheney was having heart surgery, the liberals posted that they hoped Cheney would “die on the operating table”. Why don’t you show us an example of when Republicans posted comments saying they wanted Obama or Clinton to die.
The very FIRST post on this thread was a name-call and other liberals want their conservative counterparts to die on the operating table. When it comes to sick posts, I think your party has won THAT race.
Posted by: ivan | February 9, 2012, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm
Cuba remains a primitive Little Island and Marco Rubios.Ideas and beliefs
are no different than Castros to control and Brain Wash.
Miami was named by Forbes the most miserable city in the U.S.A.
Socialists breed socialism no matter what country they flee too!.
Posted by: America
________________
For someone who supposed to be a member of the “love” generation it seems you traded in your tie dye shirt for a Nazi uniform.
Interesting how YOUR candidate pushed socialized medicine and it was this Cuban, Marco Rubio who was against it.
Posted by: ivan | February 9, 2012, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Rubio said, “the Democrats never fight over who’s more like Jimmy Carter.” But Rubio, Crown Prince of the Tea Party, failed to mention that Republicans never fight over who’s more like George W Bush. The question for Rubio is: Who’s more responsible for current budget, fiscal and economic problems, Jimmy Carter or George W Bush?
Posted by: A Adams | February 9, 2012, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
Many Americans will show their stupidity if they don’t make Gingrich the President of the USA. Here is a man whose voice echoes your vision as a nation. To ignore that is just plain stupidity
Posted by: bob | February 11, 2012, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm