Crist, Rubio and Thorpe heat up GOP battle for US Senate seat
Friday, May 15, 2009 at 9:52AM 
Former Speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio (right) talks with Aaron Bean (left) in Jacksonville May 14. [photo by Kay B. Day]The race for retiring Republican Mel Martinez’s US Senate seat could not be more complicated. Start with Gov. Charlie Crist. He’s crafted a brand as politico of all persuasions. Shortly after his announcement, Crist picked up widely touted endorsements. At the moment, the Republican Party of Florida website looks like a Crist fan club.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.), chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, endorsed Crist right off the bat. State GOP Party chair Jim Greer basically endorsed him without officially endorsing him. Here’s a summary of the statement Greer gave to Congressional Quarterly: “State Republican Chairman Jim Greer said yesterday that if the state party deems it appropriate to make an endorsement in the Senate primary, it will be for Crist. Greer noted that Crist would be due that deference because he is the sitting governor.”
Before Crist declared his intentions, Dr. Marion Thorpe declared his candidacy for the Senate seat. Former Speaker of the House Marco Rubio also declared before Crist. And therein are the makings of a true political spectacle, because these candidates are charismatic and they are all Republicans.
Ironically, Crist entering the race creates more risk for the GOP. He’d probably win re-election as governor with little trouble.
Florida fireworks begin
Rubio spoke in Jacksonville on Thursday to the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated. That influential club is among the constituencies infuriated with the state party at the moment. What set the club off—snap endorsements for candidate Crist in a race where there is no incumbent.
Addressing the membership and guests—the room at River City Brewing Co. was packed—Betsy Young, RWCDF president, read an official statement. She called Greer’s quasi-endorsement for Crist “totally inappropriate.” And she declared her support for Marco Rubio. It’s rare for the president of a political group that is an icon—RWCDF was founded in 1938—to make a statement like Young’s so early in the season. Others irked by state and national party figures may follow suit. Young’s statement was followed by enthusiastic applause.
As Rubio began to speak, it became evident this man will be a formidable opponent for Crist and Thorpe. The Republican Party of Duval County is—appropriately in the eyes of many conservatives who talked to TUSR—remaining officially neutral.
During his address to the RWCDF, something else became readily apparent. Rubio most definitely has the “it” factor President Barack Obama has—a gift for speaking and a natural connect with those he called the “silent majority,” that phrase a touchstone to a frustrating time in the past for Republicans.
Rubio also brings Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.) to mind, because the South Florida native, whose parents were exiled from Cuba in the 1950s, speaks his mind in rapid fire sentences, emphasizing his beliefs in a manner you’d expect from an attorney. Other than oratorical ability, there are no other similarities between Obama and Rubio, however. “I left my teleprompter at home,” he quipped from the podium.
Before his speech, TUSR interviewed the former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and he responded to a number of questions in between greeting well-wishers and checking his cell phone. Media had been bombarding him all morning. And Rubio acknowledges media acts as policy shaper by the way politics are covered—elevating federal issues above state and local issues, with an approach that says the president “is going to save us from ourselves.” He believes in the limits of the federal government established by the Constitution, and criticizes the federal government for “printing money and borrowing.”
Rubio on the issues
Rubio’s platform is unapologetically conservative—a balanced budget, tax reform, helping small businesses. He told TUSR he is a fan of the Fair Tax. When he mentioned that during his speech, it brought the house down. He also has a perspective with a different angle on fiscal issues—he’s not after tax cuts promised as a campaign tactic, he wants real tax reform.
On social issues he said he doesn’t care what people do in the privacy of their homes—“It’s up to them.”But he believes in marriage and family as the “cornerstone of society.” His views on abortion are core conservative. He said, “Everyone’s rights end where other individual rights begin.” For him, social issues should not be a problem for conservatives. He sees government’s role in the economy as a top priority, with national security and securing our borders of vital importance.
Rubio said America cannot begin to address the more than 12,000,000 people here without documentation until the border is secure. He does not agree with blanket amnesty, but advocates seeking a solution based on common sense and application of the law while respecting individual rights. “I don’t think you can deport 13 million people without turning the country into a police state,” he said. He stated he is firmly against people coming into the country without legal documentation.
Speaking to the crowd, Rubio said his 4 children are “a big part of why I’m running for the Senate.” He wants his children to have the same opportunities we have now. The former speaker still lives blocks away from the home he grew up in. “Opportunity and prosperity are created by individuals working together,” he said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.”
He pointed out that many small business owners don’t have a voice in government because they aren’t represented by unions or lobbyists. He is appreciative of the role large corporations play in the economy, but he believes there is a tendency for “government to pick winners and losers in the economy.”
Rubio also pointed out what media missed about the Tax Day Tea Parties. The protesters weren’t just angry at the Democrats. “They were angry that the Republican Party that was so long the voice of that silent majority is no longer their voice.” He also pointed out the irony of modern day politics. “Democrats can only win by moving to the right. A conservative can only win by being a conservative.” He was candid about the power brokers backing Crist. “I will not have the help of power brokers around this country,” he said.
Most definitely Reaganesque
While conservatives realize the age of Reagan has waned, they tend to coalesce around the values President Ronald Reagan held as well as his ability to connect with everyday people. More than once I heard guests compare Rubio to the conservative icon.
Watching Rubio speak, I realized one basis for the comparisons. There’s an unflappable quality that isn’t shaken when he’s asked hard questions. One woman stood and said she’d received emails about his policy on immigration. Rubio responded with the same answers he gave during our TUSR interview. He’d perform well should media choose to mount the standard GOP attack—you get the feeling Rubio really believes what he says and he’ll walk the walk he’s promised in the talk.
Last month, we wrote about Dr. Marion Thorpe after TUSR interviewed him at the Republican Liberty Caucus convention. Thorpe has received short shrift from media and party leaders—after all, he’s a black Republican, something media just cannot seem to accept despite their neo-liberal stance on issues. His greatest challenge, in my opinion isn't so much about race as branding. Thorpe faces two recognized brands in what will definitely be a sizzling race. He will have to wage an aggressive fight for validation from media because media will be preoccupied with two Republican titans going toe to toe.
Conservatives on Crist
I’ve never interviewed Crist; TUSR has been unsuccessful in asking for state party media releases since the 2008 elections. Supporters of Thorpe and Rubio contacted TUSR to make arrangements for the interviews we’ve done.
It’s no secret some influential conservative opinion shapers are extremely critical of Crist. Red State offered scathing criticism. Erick Erickson oversees what is perhaps the top conservative blog/news site on the Web and he appears on many different networks as a political analyst. After Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) endorsed Crist, Erickson wrote, “Additionally, do they really want the GOP to feel reassured that Mitch McConnell blesses this endorsement? Exactly how many seats has the GOP picked up with Mitch McConnell as Senate Leader? How about losses every time?”
In what amounts to a body blow, Erickson subtitled his column, “NRSC FAIL.” Below the column there’s a link to a new Facebook group ‘Not One Penny to the National Senatorial Committee.’ One poster at the group that drew 370 members shortly after the Red State Post called Crist “ Democrat-lite.” By the next morning, 50 more members had joined and the number is likely to grow. Many conservatives were infuriated with Crist’s perceived chummy attitude towards Obama and the governor’s support for the federal stimulus money.
If I were a Republican candidate, I would not want Erickson to oppose me. He is most definitely a thought-shaper. In another post titled, “Tax Hiker Runs for Senate,” Erickson once again unloaded on Crist and he then declared Rubio a “bold conservative reformer,” adding, “I will stand with Marco Rubio against the tax hiking defender of government bureaucracy, Charlie Crist.”
Other key Web brands have also praised Rubio. Right Pundits’ Maggie M. Thornton called him a “rising star in the Republican Party.”
Another influential thought shaper is Dr. Richard Swier, an editor for Red County. Swier wrote about Rubio’s appearance at the South Sarasota Republican Club. “Yesterday,” Swier wrote in a glowing review, “Marco won the crowd.”
The same thing happened in Jacksonville. More than three times the crowd at the Duval gathering stood to applaud him. Frankly, there wasn’t a person in the room who had positive comments about Crist. Judging by member and guest comments, I’d say Rubio took the hearts of those at the Jacksonville gathering.
Heat wave ahead
This Senate race will be a tough one, full of drama, intrigue and lively debate. Dr. Thorpe, who has solid credentials in the area of healthcare, has already thrown the glove down in a gentlemanly manner, challenging Crist to a debate.
Rubio is determined to stand by his conservative principles and backs down from no one, not even the movers and shakers in the Florida state party. He shapes his thoughts on a moment’s notice and has a solid political success track record in the Florida House of Representatives. Within Rubio’s message there is a warning that will resonate with any conservative. “The federal debt,” he cautioned, “is a ticking time bomb.”
Right Pundits’ Thornton pegged it for many conservatives we heard from on Thursday. Rubio is a “rising star.”
Betsy Young (right), president of the Republican Women of Duval County Federated, talks with Cindy Graves, first vice-president of the Florida Federation of Republican Women. [photo by Kay B. Day]
Marco Rubio, former Speaker of the Florida House, talks with members and guests during the Republican Women's Club of Duval Federated in Jacksonville. [photo by Kay B. Day]
Crist, Rubio and Thorpe heat up GOP battle for US Senate seat by Kay B. Day
Reader Comments (5)
Rubio is using the McCain response of you can't deport 12 million people........undoubtedly he is not familiar with Attrition Through Enforcement......eliminate jobs and welfare...........the illegal aliens self deport.....
No jobs.....No welfare.........adios.
George
I appreciate your point, but he is also spot-on by stating we can't function as a police state. My impression is that he will attempt to actually get something done and he repeatedly says he'll do it legally, eschewing blanket amnesty.
I've suggested to several politicos that any subsidy given to an undocumented foreigner be offset by a federal cut. And I agree that those in the country illegally should not receive government assistance.
best, KDay
Your article certainly captured the excitement in the room. Marco Rubio is the most exciting candidate to come along in a long time. He is charismatic, articulate and a true blue conservative. One only needs to hear him speak to know he is just what the Republican Party and the state of Florida needs.
The last thing we need is a tan Arlen Spector in the Senate.
Marco Rubio is a fine man and a tribute to the Republican Party. He will find unlimited supporters from the campaign leaders in NE Florida. Every grassroots leader I spoke to this weekend is voting for Rubio and starting their networks. To hear him speak is to become a fan of the Rubio campaign and to instill hope in the Party! Go Rubio!
Marco Rubio is the future of the Republican Party!
Go Marco!!