Rubio frames good question for BP, expands respect in blogosphere

By Kay B. Day

Presumed GOP nominee for the Florida Senate Marco Rubio keynoted CPAC 2010.This morning former speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio was on Fox and Friends doing an interview about the BP oil spill. As that interview aired, content was popping up on some of the most influential blogs on the Web. On TV and in the blogosphere, he looked and talked like a US senator.

He brought up a point no one else is talking about in depth—what went wrong on the rig at Deepwater Horizon? What caused the explosion?

Some in big media say the blowout preventer failed. Politico said a report submitted to the House Energy and Commerce Committee included information about warnings of leaks “5 hours before the disaster” and about cement work that “failed to hold back hydrocarbons.”

And naturally there are conspiracy theories afoot—you can find those on your own by doing a search targeting the blogosphere.

On Fox and Friends, Rubio also stressed the need for Florida to take any and all steps to prevent the oil from contaminating our coastline. That’s an overlooked recommendation, considering the foot dragging that enabled oil to wreak havoc on other states’ coastlines.

The charismatic candidate who engages grassroots conservatives, GOP faithful and reform-oriented groups like the Tea Parties had a busy weekend. Rubio is featured in content at Hot Air and Powerline, two of the most influential conservative blogs on the Web. The US Report benefited from a link referral from Hot Air for a story we did in February and judging from the number of new visitors to our site, we can attest the reach of that site on the Web is very long.

Like Hot Air, Powerline is one of the top ranked blogs in the ‘sphere, and the header touting a Rubio story said it all: “Marco Rubio: The Real Deal.”

Many of us who typically vote for GOP candidates agree. But aside from being “the real deal,” Rubio has come to symbolize something GOP supporters have done that Democrat supporters have failed to do.

We have spoken directly to our national leadership regarding candidates, votes on issues and ethics. There’s still work to do, but we know our conservative activism has had an impact. A small example of that is Florida’s governor running on an independent ticket because he knew Rubio would win the GOP Primary.

Conservatives are a diverse bunch.

Big media and Democrat strategists tend to obsess over influences like the Tea Parties. I’d certainly call these diversified activist groups influencers, but those of us who aren’t formally part of the Tea Party groundswell are drawn to Rubio’s messaging on fiscal reform, taxes and national security.

At the moment, fiscal conservatism makes more sense than any other ideology regardless of your Party affiliation. Fiscal conservatism is a matter of national security and anyone who misses the significance of that is delusional. The only solution to our government's dangerous level of debt is to cut federal spending and downsize our obese government.

And above all, Rubio respects the United States unlike so many on the left who for unfathomable reasons overlook other countries whose long violent histories provide much opportunity for criticism.

Rubio’s approach to US sovereignty is one of strength rather than angst.

Democrats tend to consistently undermine the US and the result is the undermining of freedom around the globe. Every time our president past or present apologizes he plays directly into the ideology of totalitarian governments.

The presumed GOP nominee for the US Senate race in November, 2010 had a good weekend. His question about the cause of the BP explosion was right on and the attention he’s getting from influential conservative blogs suggests his messaging is spot on as well.

Powerline described Rubio as “the Florida sensation who knocked Charlie Crist out of the Republican primary and is, we hope, on his way to the U.S. Senate.” We “second that emotion.”