Like the 2008 presidential campaign of Barack Obama, Senator Marco Rubio is ready for change, believing he is the leader to move the country forward with an "A New American Century" of conservative ideals.
On April 12 Marco Rubio announced his presidential bid, stating "Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday began a campaign for president by promising to take us back to yesterday. Yesterday is over and we're never going back."
There's no doubt Rubio's comment was a jab at Hillary Clinton, whom twenty-four hours prior released "Getting Started," announcing she would be vying for the presidency again on the Democratic ticket.
Clinton credentials are vast: First Lady, former Senator of New York, 2008 Presidential candidate, and former Secretary of State. If she were a Republican she would be emulated, supported, and revered. But Clinton is Democratic and to the political right she is so "yesterday."
Once upon a time Republicans cherished the golden age of politics -- a politician with years of experience, a God like complex with veracity and valor. Then Barack Obama entered like the Kennedy's, young in age and politics, and proclaiming a message of 'Hope and Change' which led the Democrats to victory in 2008. Four years later he followed with a message of 'Moving Forward' and was victorious again.
Conservatives veered 'Hope and Change,' and 'Moving Forward' screaming they must 'Take our country back,' and restore Ronald Reagan's America, a "Shining city upon a hill." But the past is the past now. And with a year and a half left of Obama's presidency Rubio speaks of change, "Too many of our leaders and our ideas are stuck in the 20th century," and we must move on from "yesterday." But unfortunately for Sen. Rubio, his rhetoric cedes from the message of change.
Rubio is vehemently against President Obama ending the 50 year old embargo in Cuba, though 63% of Americans support normalizing relations with Cuba and corporations want to trade with Cuba.
Rubio is prolife and wants abortion to be illegal in all situations. Speaking at an SBA gala, Rubio stated, "The Right to Life is a fundamental one that trumps virtually any other right that I can imagine" but 50% of Americans want abortion to remain legal under certain circumstances.
Rubio was one of the 47 senators that signed the Iran letter in opposition to President Obama negotiating a deal to end Iran's nuclear program. The letters' explicit intent: It should be ratified and is only an executive order that would be vetoed with a Republican President. Many Americans were not impressed and agreed with the sentiment of New York Daily News; the 47 were "Traitors."
Americans agree the rich should be taxed at a higher rate. Rubio's economic plan includes individual rates be compressed to two brackets, 15% and 35% and the corporate tax be reduced to 25% from 35%. Essentially Rubio's economic plan would decreases taxes on the rich and increases taxes on the middle-class. His economic plan is similar to every Republican economic plan: Lower taxes for the top earners and cut food stamps and Medicare for the poor. And he wants to repeal The ACA, never mind the fact the uninsured rate is 11.9% down from 2013 18%.
Hillary Clinton supports same-sex marriage, Rubio does not. But 70% of millennial's support same-sex marriage and millennial's will be 80 million strong in the next election. Though 58% support legalization of marijuana, Rubio is against it and would rollback laws in states that have legalized it -- although he would attend a wedding of a same-sex couple while still supporting the traditional definition of marriage as law.
Marco Rubio championed immigration reform. In fact he helped write the legislation and garnered support that led to its passage in the Senate. The Tea Party withheld their support of Rubio, leading him to renege. Immigration reform lives in his past, at least for now.
The truth of Rubio's conservatism: There is no change you can believe in. Rubio may believe he can campaign and uproot a diverse base of supporters like Barack Obama did. However, unlike Obama's presidential campaigns, Sen. Rubio's polices and ideas mark a candidate stuck in "yesterday."
(Article changed on April 27, 2015 at 12:38)
