U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is in the second tier of Republican presidential candidates when it comes to the polls but a prominent national conservative pundit thinks he, along with Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., has the best shot of winning the nomination come 2016.
Stephen Hayes from the Weekly Standard offered his take on the Republican presidential field in a cover story in this weeks issue and placed Rubio tied with Walker at the head of the pack. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., stands third in Hayes eyes followed by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., former Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, Gov. John Kasich, R-Ohio, and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., with other candidates running behind all of them.
The conventional wisdom about a Rubio for president campaign has swung wildly over the past two months, Hayes noted. In the weeks after the 2014 midterms, commentators mused about a Rubio bid as if it were a sure thing. But when Jeb Bush made clear that he was likely to run, the peddlers of conventional wisdom were sure Rubio wouldnt challenge his mentor. Last week, Rubio hired well-regarded New Hampshire political strategist Jim Merrill, and the commentariat quickly concluded that he was in. Interviewed by Hugh Hewitt, Rubio said: I wouldnt be running against Jeb Bush. If I ran, I would run because I believe Im the right person for the right time in our countrys history. The reality is that very few people know if Rubio will run, but unless something changes his thinking, he is far more likely to run than not. His wife is supportive, his team is prepared, and a decision is imminent.
As for Walker, the case for Rubio is simple: he is the most talented communicator in politics today, Hayes continued. He is a visceral conservative who makes the case for limited government and American greatness better than anyone in the Republican field -- better than anyone, anywhere. And he has used his short time in Congress to make himself a leading Republican voice on national security and foreign policy, serving on both the Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees.
Hayes pointed to Rubios appearance at a forum organized by the Koch brothers last month and found Rubio funny and thoughtful while showing his fluency on national security. Pointing to another speech Rubio had at the forum, Hayes insisted Rubio offered a compelling personal story and offered a strong vision for the country.
Rubios best moment came ... when he addressed the group about the promise of America, Hayes wrote. Rubio spoke for 30 minutes without notes and captivated the crowd with stories of his grandfather and his parents. Rubios speeches often convey a sense of humility and wonder that hes risen to a place where he might influence the direction of the American experiment in self-governance. Rubio manages to tell convincingly the kinds of only-in-America stories that might come off as hackneyed and manipulative from other politicians. Maybe thats because theyre often personal for him. Maybe hes just a better story-teller than most. Whatever the explanation, Rubio can drown skepticism about Americas future with reminders about the countrys past and, in the process, give goosebumps to a cynic.
Hayes noted a few problems Rubio will be confronted with on the campaign trail, including his role in immigration reform as part of the Senates Gang of Eight and his friendship with former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Fla., whom Hayes labeled a shady figure due to the scandals that plagued him in Tallahassee and Washington. Hayes discounted the idea that Bushs role in the 2016 campaign would cripple Rubios fundraising.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
