Senator Marco Rubio Takes Center Stage on CNN

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told Newsmax last week that Mitt Romney must brace himself for tough personal attacks from President Barack Obama, in what Bush said is sure to be the most negative campaign in modern American politics. The former governor said, “I think Mitt needs to stay above the fray a bit, and to offer a hopeful message that can lift people’s spirits up because after the end of this four or five months of really negative campaigning. I think people are going to be motivated by a more positive message.”
Jeb Bush also said that he thinks R0mney should pick Florida’s US Senator Marco Rubio to be his Vice President running mate.
Bush said Rubio is charismatic and “probably the best” VP candidate for the national GOP ticket this fall, saying that Rubio could well be the key to a GOP victory in November. “I think the combination would be extraordinary,” Bush added.
Then, one more time just for the record, Jeb Bush ruled himself out as a possible VP candidate. He presumably thinks the country is not ready for another Bush on a national ticket.
Afterward, Sunday on CNN’s State of the Nation, Candi Crowley interviewed Senator Rubio. It was the first time I had the chance to listen and watch Senator Rubio for an extended period, and I must say, I was impressed by his maturity (he is 40 years old) and openness.
Crowley is a unique journalist, in my view - polite but persistent, knowledgeable and willing to let the interviewee speak without interruption. So, when Rubio went up against her, he knew he was in professional and fair but insistent hands.
Her questions about the Hispanic vote were telling. Rubio made the point in several ways that Hispanics do not want a “free ride” in the US. He said many of them came to America illegally because it was the only way they could find to feed their children and save their families. He added that the Dream Act is not needed and is not advisable because it circumvents US law, and he said Hispanics would agree with him. What he and they want is a chance to have their children educated, under a special non-resident educational visa program, and then let the immigration process take its course, adding that he hopes America will understand that the Hispanic group in the US is conscientious, hard-working, and eager to be good Americans contributing to the country’s future. His is a moderate voice that seems to me to bridge the positions between the “throw-em-all-out” and “let-em-all-in” factions fighting it out for voter support.
When Crowley turned to the vice presidency, Senator Rubio gave what I consider to be a very solid answer. He said that the GOP now has its candidate, Mitt Romney, that Romney has a process in place for selecting the VP, and that arm chair quarterbacks ought to be quiet and let the process play out. Crowley repeatedly tried to get Rubio to say that he is or is not a candidate for VP, but he did not rise to her bait. He said again and again, ‘let the process play out. Romney is a serious and tested manager and politician and he will make the right choice.’ So, we will just have to wait with the Senator to see if he is chosen.
Then the conversation turned to his desire to be President sometime in the future. Again, Senator Rubio was mature and serious in his response. He said many politicians make a mistake when they enter political life by planning out their future. Rubio said, “I entered politics to serve.” He added that this should be the goal of all politicians. He went on to explain that if his services is seen as helpful, then he may have future opportunities in the public, NGO or business sectors, but he is not aiming at the presidency or anything else specifically. He is serving and hopes to do it well and for the benefit of America and his constituency.
And, in the course of the interview, Marco Rubio said something that made me appreciate his courage. He said he considers that George W. Bush was a good President, serving in very difficult times. I haven’t heard any other active GOP politician say anything so positive about President Bush, and I salute Rubio for doing it.
There, dear readers, is a polished and thoughtful politician at work with the media. He listened to the questions and answered politely with information on point. He discussed seriously the topics the journalist presented and didn’t try to talk about something else when the questions got tough.
And finally, Marco Rubio has something that no amount of money, training or position can buy.
It is called PRESENCE.
He fills the TV screen with his friendly, human face and smile. He is charming but serious. He is thoughtful without being pompous.
The GOP could do a whole lot worse than having Marco Rubio on its ticket as the vice presidential candidate.