Rubio thanks GOP women, independent media in conference call

By Kay B. Day

Rubio spoke to a packed house in Jacksonville in the early days of his campaign. The Duval County Republican Women Club hosted the event. It was obvious the candidate offered the GOP an excellent opportunity for the US Senate.[Photo by Kay B. Day]Former speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio is a busy man these days. In the last 24 hours he appeared on 3 major TV networks, held a press conference and dealt with former GOP rival for the US Senate Governor Charlie Crist’s switch to independent status. Rubio held a blogger conference Friday afternoon as he traveled.

Rubio remains unperturbed by Crist’s decision.

He said, “Nothing has changed as to what my campaign is about…I’m the only candidate running that will stand up to the Obama agenda.”

He added that Crist and Rep. Kenrick Meek (D-Fla.) are both Obama “supporters.”

That’s accurate. Crist’s actions suggest he would likely support a controversial climate change bill and Crist is viewed by many as Democrat lite.

The political ranking site GovTrack describes Meek as a “rank and file Democrat.” GovTrack notes, “Kendrick Meek has sponsored 69 bills since Jan 7, 2003 of which 66 haven't made it out of committee and 1 were [sic] successfully enacted. Meek has co-sponsored 778 bills during the same time period. (The count of enacted bills considers only bills actually sponsored by Meek and companion bills identified by CRS that were themselves enacted, but not if they were incorporated into other bills, as that information is not readily available.)”

Among Meek’s most recent votes are a ‘yes’ on the Puerto Rico Democracy Act and ‘yes’ on the Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Acts enabling a government takeover of healthcare and student loans.

Rubio said he wants to “go to Washington and offer an alternative.” He has repeatedly called for reducing big government and supporting free enterprise as President Barack Obama’s administration sets historic records for excessive spending and expanding the federal government.

Asked about campaign support from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Rubio said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and GOP chair Michael Steele had phoned him. Rubio said he hasn’t had a chance to call either of them back yet, but he’s planning to do it as soon as he has a chance.

If the GOP is to retain grassroots support, it makes sense for leaders to lend Rubio broad financial and other support. Many emphasize the Tea Partiers’ support for Rubio. I’m not a Tea Party member and nor are many in my circle and we all believe Rubio would be an excellent US senator.

Rubio already has the support of the influential Senate Conservatives Fund and he has received high profile endorsements. Among them: Rep. Eric Cantor, House Republican Whip from Virginia who is considered a rising star in the GOP and Gov. Mitt Romney who many Floridians supported in the 2008 primaries.

Rubio was asked by a blogger for Red County about concerns that the GOP not alienate Crist’s supporters, “particularly those that can write big checks.” Rubio’s answer may surprise.

“This race has never been about Charlie Crist for me—I’m not a grudge-holding person.” He appeared to chuckle and said, “At one time I voted for Charlie Crist for governor. This is a big campaign and we welcome everyone. It’s not about me. It’s about sending someone to Washington to call this agenda what it is—am assault on free enterprise.” He added that anyone who wants “to see our country remain exceptional” is welcome to get involved and engaged in his campaign.

The US Report asked Rubio what he would say to the Florida Federation of Republican Women who issued a formal statement on Friday sharply criticizing Crist for switching to independent as his chances for winning the Primary grew increasingly doubtful.

Rubio spoke directly to Florida’s Republican women. He said he is grateful to them even though they couldn’t “formally endorse” him in the beginning. “But they opened the door for me when no one else would…”

He also thanked independent media, saying,  “Many of you were covering this race when no one else was. I’m grateful to you for that.”

Candidates rarely think to express gratitude to media that are not linked to large corporate organizations. Rubio took the time to do that and I think that says a lot about him as a person.

Political analyst Roger Stone commented at his website StoneZone on the latest development in the high profile Senate race.

Stone recounted what one pollster said: “If Crist can capture approximately 50% of the Independents, 25% of GOPers and 30% of Democrats, he would definitely be in the hunt to win the Florida U.S. Senate Race,” Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio who first polled Crist as an Independent said. But that is a tall order.”

Meanwhile Rubio has thousands of Republican women in Florida who held back their endorsement in keeping with Party rules because more than one Republican candidate was running in the Primary. I suspect the effort those women unleash will be unprecedented in terms of determination and competition.

Rubio was the favorite from day one. Now the FFRW can make it official. And I’m betting those ladies will do a fine job when it comes to fundraising.


[Disclosure: Kay B. Day, editor, has supported former Speaker of the House Marco Rubio in this campaign since the early days. She has contributed to his campaign and plans to do so again. Readers who support Rubio can send a clear message to his competitors by offering a donation at the official Marco Rubio Campaign site. The US Report and the editors receive no benefits whatsoever for supporting Rubio. We just happen to believe he’s the best guy for the tough job that lays ahead.]