Marco Rubio
PALM BEACH – Former House Speaker Marco Rubio is making a big prediction in his Senate race: If voters listen to ideas instead of casting their ballots based on television commercials, he will beat Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican primary.
Rubio spoke at the annual Florida Society of News Editors/Florida Press Association conference today and fully acknowledged his underdog status to Crist, who has raised $4.3 million compared to Rubio’s $340,000.
“I have to hope and believe that ideas still matter in American politics. If we live country where all you’ve got to do is raise a lot of money and just run enough commercials to convince people that you’re not who they think you are, than we have much bigger problems than me not winning an election,” Rubio said. “I hope that principles still matter. I hope that being able to outline a clear vision of the future still matters in America, and if it does, then I’m going to win.”
Crist, who is ahead of Rubio in the polls by a 2-1 ratio, attended a luncheon hosted by the news editors in the same building. But the governor declined an invitation to appear with Rubio at the candidate’s forum that immediately followed the lunch, saying “I have governing to do today.”
The only major Democrat in the race, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, wanted to attend the event, but couldn’t because votes were being held in Washington.
But even without Crist, the event still managed to show a contrast between the governor and Rubio as Senate candidates.
Crist has said little about his candidacy and even less about issues facing the federal government. Rubio took questions for 45 minutes about a wide range of issues — Cuba, taxes, the environment, the federal stimulus package, immigration reform, Supreme Court appointments and more — and answered them thoughtfully and with detail.
He pointed out the biggest difference between him and Crist is that Crist supported the $787 billion stimulus package and he wouldn’t have.
“I just don’t think our government should spend money it doesn’t have and I don’t believe that stimulus spending will stimulate the economy. I just don’t,” Rubio said.
Instead, he said the best way the federal government can help the economy is to completely reform the tax code and reduce the capital gains tax to help attract companies who may now be heading overseas.
He said another big difference between him and Crist is that Crist supports a “California-style” environmental policy to limit carbon emissions. Rubio said he supports the development of new clean energy technology and hopes for day America uses no coal or fossil fuels, but he doesn’t want to hurt the economy now to get there.
Rubio said climate change is “global. As of yesterday India and China continue to refuse to comply.” ”I have no interest in America being the cleanest third world country on the planet and I think that that’s where we’re headed if we pass cap and trade legislation,” he added.
Rubio also sprinkled in a little humor when one editor pointed out that Washington leaders like Sen. John Cornyn, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, are endorsing Crist.
“Yeah, that sucks, doesn’t it?” Rubio said with a smile.
“I’m not running to be a part of their club,” he said more seriously. “At the end of the day it doesn’t make a difference to me who they’re supporting. I’m running because I believe so strongly that the issues that we face are that important and I want to speak out about them as long and as effectively as I can … So how do I overcome it? I have to work real hard. I have to come to forums that my opponents don’t show up to.”
SOURCE: Tampa Tribune
