Marco Rubio is National Review's cover boy: 'Yes, HE CAN'

Marco Rubio is on the cover the new National Review - a coup that should help the Miami Republican raise some national money from grass roots conservatives. The writer is John J. Miller, who has written several pieces critical of Charlie Crist:

On paper, it looks like a mismatch between an unbeatable juggernaut and a doomed also-ran. 

Yet Crist may be vulnerable: He warmly embraced President Obama’s stimulus spending and is one of the most liberal politicians in the Republican firmament. Rubio is among the brightest young stars on the right. Their contest could become the sleeper race of 2010.

The piece includes flattering quotes about Rubio from the likes of Jeb Bush (“He’s got all the tools. ... He’s charismatic and has the right principles”) and former Bush adviser Mike Murphy (“Finding Latino stars in the Republican party is a big deal...I don’t want to pigeonhole him -- I’d like him if he was Scandinavian -- but it’s a plus.”)

The good news is that Rubio doesn’t have to match Crist dollar for dollar. But he does need to hit a certain mark -- enough to lift his name into the consciousness of most Florida Republicans. It can probably be done for about $5 million, give or take. Primaries are famously fluid, with lots of last-minute deciders. Candidates such as Rubio can close hard and fast in the final two or three weeks, but only if they spend a long time preparing to make the most of their opportunity.  

Rubio may want to think of his task as a football game: He’ll need to play from behind, hanging in there against a stronger opponent for a full four quarters and hoping to put himself in position for a game-winning kick as time runs out. Then the nightmare will belong to Charlie Crist.

 

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Comments

[Young Republican for Crist]

At least Marco will have a souvenier to keep when the election is over

[Just say NO to Chuck AND Marco!]

Heaven help us! The GOP is going down the wingnut path.

[Chad]

Man he has big ears

[Randall Stevens]

11:09 - your comment carries sooo much credibility given that you are attacking both Republican candidates in your by-line...

[GOP 1]

Pick Frenchy and he will lose...

[Go Marco! Go Marco! Go]

Marco is exactly what we need to bring the Republican party back. He will win.

[RJ]

Excellent! Crist the Magic-RINO NEEDS TO GO!

[Dolf]

He will lose.

[Coldplay]

Just because your winning, doesn't mean you've won.....doesn't mean you'll win.

[politicalmoderate]

Crist is too liberal for Florida, and voters are finally starting to get that.

[Bye Bye Chuck]

When Charlie gets sent home packing on Primary Election night I would pay to be in the room and see the looks on Crist and all his flunkies(Lemieux, Eikenberg, Hefley) faces. That would be priceless.

[bye bye Barry, bye bye]

Either way, Florida voters are going to pick a Republican over a Dem, particularly after these two years of Obama's disastrous and dishonest leadership.

[Just say NO to Chuck AND Marco!]

11:23 What, because I don't want to see the Republican Party represented by obvious wingnuts like Marco or closet sellouts like Charlie Crist? Yes, heaven help us if they ever return to power - it will be the end of the middle class, the end of democracy, the end of the enviroment, and the beginning of the reign of the corporatocracy.

[slam dunk]

11:23 You know you want him. He is hot hot hot. Too bad he has a hot wife too.

[Bye Bye chuckie]

Speaker Rubio is a man of integrity who would serve Florida well in the US Senate.

[N. Florida Republican]

I've heard a lot of folks painting Crist as a RINO - and it just doesn't wash with me - he's chain gang charlie, pro-life, pro-gun, anti-gay marriage, supported amendment 1 to lower taxes...big deal if he gave Obama a hug. This guy Rubio is trying to say he's the "real" conservative, but I can't think of one thing he ever did. Sounds like another Obama all right - all talk about "yes we can" and how great he is with very little accomplishments to his name to actually show us he did anything. I ain't buyin' what he's selling. Rubio is probably another Martinez...talking one way and then voting another. Sticking with Crist for now and hope McCollum can beat Sink.

[SW Florida]

Rubio looks mean in this photo! At least Charlie knows how to smile.

[Buzzard.]

Either one - Marco or Charlie - is preferable to a liberal democrat. Either one would be a fine leader and I hope they both keep this civil.

But congratulations, Marco. You're getting some traction.

[Bob from south walton]

How can you vote either one. IMO they are the reason Florida is in shambles.

[Sick of RINOs]

RUBIO!!

[John]

Barack Obama won Florida in 2008. Florida is a blue state. Crist is too liberal for the right wing of his party, but not Florida in general. Rubio would have trouble in the general election. Republicans would be smart to stick with Crist if they don't want Kendrick Meek as the next senator

[Just say NO to Chuck AND Marco!]

12:52 Meek would make a great senator. why not just admit that BOTH Chuck and Marco are sellouts; its just a matter of degree.

[Vote out the greedy corporatist Republicans]

Made in China! More inferior and dangerous products made with Chinese $1 per day labor and sold to Americans. Why do we let these companies send American jobs to China and then we receive garbage in return?

It's all about corporate greed.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_RECALL_DVD_PLAYERS?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_RECALLS?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Joe in Citrus Park]

Just what we need, another right-wing GOP idealogue representing Florida in the U S Senate. Rubio's views on everything from abortion to tax policy to corporate governance to foreign policy (especially re Cuba) do NOT mirror those of the majority of Floridians, but it looks as if the Democrats are going to drive off the cliff anyway by nominating Kendrick Meek.

[Obama/Crist]

Sorry Charlie, you're a liberal.

[Buzzard]

01:02 - Sellout?

If I recall correctly, The Times recently ran a story identifying democrat Meek as the candidate who has pulled the most campaign money from out of state.

Who's the sellout?

01:57 - If Marco doesn't represent the views of "the majority of Floridians", he'll lose the election. Only then will we know who the majority support.

[RUBIO=RONPAUL]

Yes, HE CAN!

(Turn Florida into another Prop 13 ghetto state like California)

[RUBIO=ABRAMOFF]

Yes, HE CAN!

(Hope we forget that Ray Sansom was hand-picked by Marco Rubio)

[N. FLORIDA REPUBLICAN]

NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT.... CHARLIE CRIST DID APPOINT DEMOCRATS TO DIFFERANT POSITIONS. CRIST SAYS THAT HE'S PRO GUNS BUT THEN HE PUT LIBERAL JUDGES TO THE BENCH THAT ARE AGAINST SECOND AMENMENT.CRIST WAS PRO LIFE WHEN HE RAN IN 06. BUT THAN CRIST BECAME PRO CHOICE AND SUPPORTS STEM SCELL RESEARCH EVEN IF IT DOES KILL LIFE.SUPPORTS GAY ADOPTION AND MOST SAY CRIST IS "GAY HIMSELF" CRIST ALLSO GAVE THE RIGHTS TO 600,000 FELLONS THE RIGHT TO VOTE AS SOON AS THEY GET OUT OF JAIL. AND MOST OF THEM WILL VOTE DEMOCRAT! CRIST RAISED OUR TAXES TWICE. CRIST BELIVES IN CAP AND TRADE. AND CRIST WENT ON STAGE WITH OBAMA WITH THOUSANDS OF DEMOCRATS CHANTING "YES WE CAN!" SUPPORTING OBAMAS FAILED STIMULUS PACKAGE ON TV RIGHT IN OUR REPUBLICAN FACES THINKING HE WOULD GET A BUNCH OF DEMOCRAT & INDEPENDANT VOTES IN A GENERAL ELECTION! HOW ARROGANT! AND WHILE I THINK ABOUT IT...MARCO RUBIO HAS A RECORD OF FIGHTING AGAINST HIHGER TAXES,MARCO'S PRO GUN, PRO LIFE, SMALLER GOVERMENT AND SUPPORTS CONSERVATIVE JUDGES ON THE BENCH AND NEVER FLIP FLOPS! YA,NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT... I'M GOING WITH MARCO RUBIO. GO TO WWW.MARCORUBIO.COM AND DONATE OBAMA LOVEN LIBERAL CRIST OUT!!!! GO RUBIO 2010!!!!!

[Bud]

Rubio = Ron Paul? Hmmm. I like the sound of THAT!

[and I hope America fails!]

Rubio = Ron Paul = Fascist-Libertarian? Hmmm. I like the sound of THAT!

[GOP INSIDER]

Big MO-Rubio is well ahead of the expected pace to catch Gain Gang Charlie with the new meaning is that Obama is the iron ball and Crist is now draging that chain around the state

See all you fine folks at the Orlando meeting.

Must see TV! Marco will be the superstar this weekend.

[Meet Marco Rubio on Satruday August 22 at 3pm]

On your way to the Orlando Tea Party, join us in welcoming Marco Rubio to Central Florida:

Marco Rubio Rally
Saturday August 22
3:00pm - 4:00pm
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
2421 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee FL 34741
(407) 932-5245 Restaurant Phone

This event is free and open to the public.

Pick up some bumper stickers, yard signs, T-shirts and buttons to support Marco Rubio's campaign for US Senate.

And feel free to bring your camera to take photos with Marco Rubio.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2421+West+Osceola+Parkway,+Kissimmee+FL+34741&sll=28.342479,-81.42103&sspn=0.008498,0.019205&ie=UTF8&mrt=rblall&ll=28.342479,-81.420944&spn=0.27195,0.614548&z=11

[hawt]

that boy is goodlookin'; mccollum, not so much....

[OMAR]

http://vimeo.com/6124306
AWESOME VIDEO OF CONSERVATIVE MARCO RUBIO! THE NEXT SUPER STAR IN OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY!! VIVA RUBIO!!

[SteveR]

Marco Rubio is exactly what Florida Republicans need. I was against the "stimulus" and Charlie didn't just take the money, he went out and campaigned with Obama for it. The stimulus money has gone to bankrupt car companies, unions and ACORN. Meanwhile, small businesses are dying and people are losing their jobs. Marco Rubio for US Senate 2010! Send Charlie Crist home.

[Jen]

I want leader that is tough! And sticks to his principles! And wont back down from anything! Why wont Charlie Crist debate Marco Rubio still?! Charlie Crist needs to stop hidding and come out of the closet! And debate Marco Rubio like a real man! Crist, come out! come out! where ever you are!!!!

[lisa]

"LET THE DEBATE BEGIN!" BUT CRIST WONT LET THAT HAPPEN JEN. CRIST IS TOO SCARED! CRIST KNOWS HE WILL LOSE TO MARCO RUBIO ON THE IShttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROErHRmTrYwSUES ALONE!

[CRIST=SPECTER]

Poor Chuckles the Clown. His panties must be in a knot since seeing Rubio on the cover of NR.

Chuckles, that's what you get for being the do-nothing, empty-suited, empty-chair, spray-tanned fairy RINO that you are. No amount of pandering to the right, conservative talk, or unleashing of the Frenchman is going to change our minds about you being the most duplicitous politician to ever mislead this state.

[jc]

charlie is a rino , and jim greer his front man ,is putting pressure on all the parties in florida . palm beach county had a censure and a straw vote . the votes were 66-66 and 65-65- .the charman voted first , i thought the chair voted only to break a tie vote. when are they going to announce the corrected vote count and show that rubio won?

[jc]

flagler beach had a straw vote lastweek . the count of approximately seventy people was nine to one for rubio

[RUBIO=TOMTHUMB]

Yes, HE CAN!

(See over the podium, if he's wearing his 4" heels.)

[FSU Alumnus]

MARCO RUBIO FOR U.S. SENATE 2012

[Bernie]

The snow chains just came off. Marco has got some great traction. The rear view mirror is full of a dashing young conservative overtaking the political-finger-in-the-wind governing Crist. This finish is going to be spectacular for the conservatives in Florida.

PS: Remember there have been great victories in political races where there was great ideas backed with principled leadership opposing popularity on the other side. Leadership always wins!

[BILLY BOB]

MARCO, YOUR THE WHITEST HISPANIC I HAVE EVER SEEN! YOUR FOR GOD,COUNTRY AND GUN'S! AND I LIKE THAT ABOUT YOU! SO THIS GOOD OLE BOY FROM THE SOUTH HATES OBAMA LOVEN LIBERAL CRIST! AND SO DO ME A FAVOR... BEAT CRISSY! AND GET EEEEEEERRRR DONE!!!!! GO MARCO GO!!

[FRANK]

DONATE! DONATE! DONATE! TO MARCO! GO TO WWW.MARCORUBIO.COM AND DONATE OBAMA REPUBLICAN CRIST OUT!!!! AND EVERY REC IN FLORIDA FIGHT FOR A STRAW POLL AND VOTE FOR MARCO RUBIO! LETS FIGHT BACK OUR LIBERAL/MODERATE PARTY AND LETS GET BACK CONSERVATIVES BACK IN POWER!!!

[George L.]

why did he get the goodlooks gene, and i got the beat with an ugly stick gene.

[XLAX]

He looks like a constipated Eddie Munster!!

[thurmer]

For the sake of our Republic, I believe that Marco has a good chance at winning! I sure hope that all of you true conservatives can donate to his campaign. He is truly inspiring and I encourage you to youtube him and get to know him as much as possible.

[Developers and Realtors for Marco!]

Let's all support Marco! I know us developers and realtors who ruined Florida's economy will be backing him. We need you folks to be blind and ignorant and elect our little Toady, so we can line up for a second helping of your home equity. Marco will be a big step in that direction! Did we mention tax cuts! That's right! We, er, I mean Marco promises to mortgage Florida's future so you can have a little tax cut today! Just our way of saying "Thanks!" for sponsoring another round of unlimited and irresponsible growth, at the expense of your own kids and grandkids. Once again, we, er...I mean Marco would like to thank you for your support!