Official Marco Rubio thread...

[ncaaball2]

is Marco Rubio too short to be president, or is he the great short hope that other short people have been waiting for. Rubio would be the shortest person elected president since William McKinley at the end of the 1800's. Sure, guys like james Madison and john Adams were also short men, but that was a time when Tom Cruz and Michael J fox would be considered tall men.

This is the area where candidates like Trump and Jeb have a huge advantage over Rubio. trumo and Jeb are men of height, men of stature, and they dwarf Marco. People look at trump and Jeb and see leaders. The image of a short Frenchman with his hand in his waistcoat is no longer the vision of power and leadership that it once was.

Marco is already battling the stereotypes that come with a first name like Marco and a last name that is unfamiliar to the old guard, not to mention his darker skin tone. Will his height be the straw that breaks the camel's back?

Anyway, here is where Marco stands on the issue of immigration
https://marcorubio.com/issues-2/marco-rubio-immigration-plan-border-security-legal/

 

[ComeFiesta]

 

[NickleDimer]

I can deal with the shortness. His visual issue is that his default appearance mode is "sullen". And his hairline would be in full retreat during his presidency.

 

[Novacatt94]

When I see these types of threads pop up it makes me think that Marco is becoming a threat.

 

[nardibynature123]

It looks like Rubio is on ball's radar. I guess Rubio is going to win the GoP.

 

[nardibynature123]

Is that a bb2n?

 

[ncaaball2]

I am not anti-Rubio. He doesn't seem to be in the radical wing of the party with Cruz and huckleberry and Santorum and Carson. He is not w hypocritical selective socialist like Chris Christie. He is not way out in a limb like Bernie sanders. He falls in the acceptable portion of the candidates.

 

[VURambler]

It looks like Rubio is on ball's gaydar. I guess Rubio is going to win the GoP.

Fixed.

 

[RSTRICK30]

Current Sportsbook.com "odds" to become the next President:

• Hillary Clinton -140
• Marco Rubio +500
• Donald Trump +800
• Ted Cruz +1500
• Ben Carson +1800
• Sanders/Christie/Bush +3000 (each)

 

[ComeFiesta]

Get ready for Hill-dog.

 

[RSTRICK30]

If Donald or Dr. Ben just quit the race tomorrow, to whom would the majority of each of their voters throw their support?

 

[NovaHoops2002]

If Donald or Dr. Ben just quit the race tomorrow, to whom would the majority of each of their voters throw their support?

It's one thing to reply to a poll that you vote for someone, it's another thing to actually vote for them. I'd say the % of people that say they support those 2 clowns and would actually vote for them is about 25% max.

 

[gldendog]

Rubio is going to emerge from the moderates. It's him or Trump as the nom. Maybe Carson. Everyone else is toast. Rubio is most likely. But a lamb to slaughter vs Hillary unfortunately. Trump would be the best hope in that regard, sadly.

 

[ncaaball2]

Not so sure that Rubio would be a lamb to slaughter against Hillary. Rubio is one inch taller than Hillary, which he should be able to use to his advantage (although Hilary's height for her gender is above average).

There is a large portion of the swing vote who are anti-Clinton. If Rubio has any substance to him, he could put up a fight. Romney would have had a shot against Hillary.

 

[NickleDimer]

gr8 point about swing vote. Don't see many of them jumping on the Trump train. What % of "the Obaman democratic base" would swing for Ben? Does Rubio pull enough "southern catholics" to the red side?

 

[lowry99]

Interesting points. Hilary could easily overcome Rubio's height advantage and then some with the very long heels that are popular now, could be somewhat embarrassing (though Hilary looks like the type that may be uncomfortable in them, maybe even fall).

Just as much or more of an issue for Rubio as his height is probably the fact that he looks much younger than his age.

Marco should just say let it ride regardless, no Dukakis-style platform shoe b.s. that could backfire quickly. I believe he comes across as sincere and knowledgeable when he talks, without pandering, even on the stump speech b.s., will go a long way. He also seems to improve a bit each time out.

 

[gldendog]

Is Jeb Bush the weakest debater you've ever seen? Christ if the guy was just slightly below average he could've probably won the nomination. He's awful.

 

[RSTRICK30]

Obama won the two-party female vote by 14% and 12% in 2008 and 2012, respectively. What percentage of females would vote for Hillary in a a 2016 election against Marco?

 

[gldendog]

Obama won the two-party female vote by 14% and 12% in 2008 and 2012, respectively. What percentage of females would vote for Hillary in a a 2016 election against Marco?

Too many. If we are keeping it real unless she gets herself placed in federal prison she's gonna win.

 

[danmcguire]

gr8 point about swing vote. Don't see many of them jumping on the Trump train. What % of "the Obaman democratic base" would swing for Ben? Does Rubio pull enough "southern catholics" to the red side?

What southern state would be in play for this to matter? Just Virginia, right? CO, FL, OH, VA, NV, IA and NH should once again be the only states really in play, don't you think?

 

[NickleDimer]

What southern state would be in play for this to matter? Just Virginia, right? CO, FL, OH, VA, NV, IA and NH should once again be the only states really in play, don't you think?

Good point. I guess it's only FL. Which is also his home territory.

 

[Novacatt94]

Is Jeb Bush the weakest debater you've ever seen? Christ if the guy was just slightly below average he could've probably won the nomination. He's awful.

I honestly don't see this at all. I think he has excellent command of the issues.

If anything his body language is poor. He looks flustered as if he can't believe that he is getting blown out by a clown like Donald Trump.

 

[Novacatt94]

Too many. If we are keeping it real unless she gets herself placed in federal prison she's gonna win.

Agreed, unfortunately I think that a large percentage of women will vote for Hillary simply because "it's time for a woman to be President" despite the fact that she is the definition of a political hack.

 

[TheFoyeEffect]

What southern state would be in play for this to matter? Just Virginia, right? CO, FL, OH, VA, NV, IA and NH should once again be the only states really in play, don't you think?

In a pipedream for democrats, NC (Obama won it), GA, AR, and MS.

I also think that Pennsylvania has a chance of being in play. Mitt lost by a relatively small margin and that was with HUGE black turnout in Philadelphia. Will Hillary be able to draw black voters to the polls like the first black president and will she be able to command such a high percentage of the black vote? I know black republicans and independents who voted for Obama twice.

 

[gldendog]

I honestly don't see this at all. I think he has excellent command of the issues.

If anything his body language is poor. He looks flustered as if he can't believe that he is getting blown out by a clown like Donald Trump.

His command of issues his fine. His passiveness isn't. Needed to interject himself into more conversations. Too timid.

 

[TheFoyeEffect]

Jeb's problem is that while he's smarter than his brother, he is nowhere near as charismatic. It's kind of a Bill/Hillary situation, except Jeb doesn't belong in prison.

 

[wcburrs87]

Ball's constant references to Rubio's height are going to be enjoyable feature on this newsgroup.

 

[adp98]

You guys are focusing on the wrong number. It's all about turnout. Are women and minorities going to come out and vote for hrc? If not, the election looks like the off years when the gop romps. Imo, there is no energy for hrc. Big problem in presidential and down ballot. Obama got people to the polls, hillary inspires no-one.republicans will show up, you know that fact. Rubio also cuts her off at the knees with young people. You saw this last nig hr

 

[TheFoyeEffect]

Dems still have a huge advantage in data/analytics.

 

[Novacatt94]

You guys are focusing on the wrong number. It's all about turnout. Are women and minorities going to come out and vote for hrc? If not, the election looks like the off years when the gop romps. Imo, there is no energy for hrc. Big problem in presidential and down ballot. Obama got people to the polls, hillary inspires no-one.republicans will show up, you know that fact. Rubio also cuts her off at the knees with young people. You saw this last nig hr

Three observations:

1) Women will definitely turn out to vote for Hillary. Minorities may turn out to a lesser extent once they are bombarded with the message that the "old white rich guy Republican" doesn't care about them and doesn't want to give them the free stuff that they are "entitled" to.

2) Rubio may pull in a large percentage of the key Latino vote and the fact that he isn't "white" or "rich" (relatively speaking) may counteract the "old white rich Republicans don't care about us" factor which is what sealed Romney's fate in 2012.

3) Republicans, even the ones who are lukewarm to the eventual nominee, may turn out just to vote against Hillary. She is an extremely polarizing figure

For these reasons it is looking like Rubio can make things very interesting and cause a lot of sleepless nights for the Clintonistas. The 2012 election was very winnable for the Republicans but Romney did not run a good enough campaign and he was sunk by the 47% comment (despite the fact that it happens to be true). And the 47% issue speaks to what was noted above about the D's inherent advantage with demographics.

Would love to see a Rubio-Fiorina ticket which would counteract some of the advantage that Hillary holds by virtue of being a woman. Again, I can envision a high percentage of women voting for her simply because she happens to be a female.

 

[NickleDimer]

Rubio-Biden. Landslide.

 

[NickleDimer]

Adp,
You don't think HRC is going to turn on the girl power afterburners next summer/fall (assuming she's not in the clink)?

 

[adp98]

Adp,
You don't think HRC is going to turn on the girl power afterburners next summer/fall (assuming she's not in the clink)?

I think girls who are younger haven't grown up in the HRC era or that of our mothers. The women's movement doesn't move them as much because they know they'll see a women President. Women are empowered. I actually you think you are giving younger women too little credit. Many have a strong distaste because to them HRC is the woman who stays with her husband to accumulate her own power despite the fact he embarrasses her. She is not a model in the same way she is to some older women. I think many are underselling or not seeing this fact. Rubio actually will appeal more to the younger generation similar to how Obama was such a stark contrast to HRC. Rubio is her worst nightmare as a candidate. Doesn't mean he wins "handily" but it's the best match up if you're a Republican and worst if you're HRC.

 

[NickleDimer]

Fair point about Bill embarrassing her and those events ruining her girl power mojo.

When do you think Some of the people on the varsity debate last night start throwing in the towel? Who's next (other than Kasich, obv)?

 

[TheFoyeEffect]

Kasich has expended way too much energy in New Hampshire to not see it through to at least then

 

[adp98]

ND, I don't know. As long as they have money these guys will stick around. IMO, Rand is probably next to go and that could be coming soon. The Kentucky GOP will begin putting pressure on him to commit to his 16 Senate race. After that, I still don't understand the Carson thing. I just don't get it. I've read the resume, appreciate he's brilliant. However, he seems completely out of it to me. He's terrible in these debate settings and doesn't do any better when talking one-on-one to reporters. I have no clue how he's still in it and who his supporters are or what they see in him. Trump to me is an absolute genius. He says nothing. He doesn't have any clue on the issues and he doesn't care. He's up there just selling his brand and "winning". Jeb Bush must stay awake each night yelling at the ceiling "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy". Trump's run is approaching the beginning of the end but I have to tip my cap in admiration. He's a lot smarter than I gave him credit. He knows his lane and runs within it to perfection. He's the greatest brander (if that's a word) I've seen. He's somewhat of a one-trick pony but he's damn good at that trick. I almost forget Carly. Along with Rand Paul, she's next to go. I don't know if she makes it to New Hampshire. Won't be much longer after if she survives that long. Cruz is an SNL character right? He and Carly. They aren't real people. Rubio is just a stud. Knows the issues, doesn't get rattled. Stud. Kasich actually made sense on some of the issues but came off like a child and didn't communicate well. Jeb, I never got it with Jeb. He's got command of the issues but there's no fire. That was my take.

 

[catFANatic80]

I think girls who are younger haven't grown up in the HRC era or that of our mothers. The women's movement doesn't move them as much because they know they'll see a women President. Women are empowered. I actually you think you are giving younger women too little credit. Many have a strong distaste because to them HRC is the woman who stays with her husband to accumulate her own power despite the fact he embarrasses her. She is not a model in the same way she is to some older women. I think many are underselling or not seeing this fact. Rubio actually will appeal more to the younger generation similar to how Obama was such a stark contrast to HRC. Rubio is her worst nightmare as a candidate. Doesn't mean he wins "handily" but it's the best match up if you're a Republican and worst if you're HRC.

Yes the guy who who is anti gay marriage..climate change denier...against abortions for rape and incest victims...against raising the minimum wage...against allowing family leave...sure he is going to really bring out that young vote. He is more grannies candidate then young women.

 

[adp98]

He doesn't have to win the young vote, just not get crushed.

 

[danmcguire]

I am guessing the now popular view that the nomination will come down to Cruz vs. Rubio is probably correct. Once the good doctor drops out Teddy C. will see a big jump in the polls.

 

[NickleDimer]

Where does Rand go from here? Does he resurface again in 4 or 8 yrs? I enjoy what he brings. A little too far out there but makes you think. Could be an effective cog in this country's govt.

It's mind blowing that a foggy minded doctor, a reality TV star and a lousy CEO are still on the stage at this point. Everyone else I get on some level.