Although the next presidential election is four long years from now, it already appears that Florida Senator Marco Rubio is a clear front-runner. Whereas Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan would seem to be the likely candidate after running with Mitt Romney for Vice-President, that is not the case at least presently.
This early, early speculation is clearly based on Rubio’s unique qualities that are timely and necessary for Republicans to win in 2016.
Senator Rubio has chosen to lead the Republicans with his call for bipartisan immigration reform. As the son of Cuban refugees, he clearly has become the poster child for the GOP desperately trying to bring Hispanics.
His efforts are beginning to pay off silencing President Obama’s attempt to be the man on the white horse to millions of Latinos.
There is little doubt that Rubio’s efforts have an excellent chance of passing through both Houses. He continues to stress the need for Republicans to explain their support and ongoing efforts on behalf of Hispanics.
Rubio simply said can be a leader that goes far behind the Republican perception of white, rich men. His efforts are being noticed by conservative radio in the form of Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin.
Unfortunately, as Rubio continues to turn heads in the Republican Party, Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, is now associated with losing the election in 2012, ongoing fiscal battles on the Hill which are not good headlines for the GOP and his rather low key personality at a time the Republicans need a fiery orator who can broaden the base.
Whereas Ryan embroils his speeches with hard statistics and data, Rubio speaks in broad, general terms that the common man can listen to without nodding off.
It’s early. Neither of the two men has formally committed to running for president and indeed Ryan may opt out of any presidential race to ramrod legislation designed to strengthen the Republican’s majority in the House.
The last candidate that successfully won the White House coming out of the House was James Garfield in 1880.
It could be Ryan’s strategy to allow Rubio to run wild in his obvious candidacy for the White House. Often times front-runner’s become tiresome to the general public and with so much media exposure are bound to make gaffes under a microscope of reporting. More to the point, in presidential politics – as in life – sometimes playing hard to get can be a very good way of making yourself more desirable.
Maybe the smart politician in 2013 is the one lying low for a couple of years.
* If you have enjoyed this column, may I suggest you scroll down this page and press the SUBSCRIBE box? It's FREE. Thank you for your patronage.
** Send your comments to: dwight.schwab@gmail.com
Comments