A truly outstanding speech by Sen. Marco Rubio!
Here is complete video of Sen. Marco Rubio speaking at the Jack Kemp Leadership Award Dinner, where he was honored as a recipient. Rubio used the speech to set forth his vision for building a 21st Century America that keeps America an exceptional nation based on the principles that made the nation great. Rubio said America does not need higher taxes but more taxpayers that come as a result of a growing economy and good jobs.
Notice at the beginning, Rubio jokes with Rep. Paul Ryan, who was also at the event, about “Iowa” and “South Carolina.” I don’t think there is much doubt that Rubio is working toward a run for the 2016 GOP Presidential Nomination. Speeches like this one help lay the groundwork for a run, and help him hone his message for the campaign. This speech is an outstanding basis for a Presidential run. These are the themes that will resonate, not only in the GOP, but more widely across the nation. As he continues to speak and travel, Rubio will only get better at communicating his vision for the future of America. It’s going to be very interesting to watch!
Sen. Marco Rubio Lays Out Vision for 21st Century America at Jack Kemp Dinner: Says America Needs more Taxpayers and a Growing Economy, Not Higher Taxes – Complete Video 12/4/12
He was just elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas, but the name of Senator-elect Ted Cruz is already being bandied about as a possible 2016 GOP Presidential Candidate. Apparently, he gave a speech last night in Washington to the conservative American Principles Project Dinner that really impressed attendees. Cruz made the case that Republicans lost the 2012 Presidential Race because they did not effectively make the case for what he calls, “Opportunity Conservatism”:
POLITICO: Texas Sen.-elect Ted Cruz advised the Republican Party to rebrand itself under a banner of “Opportunity Conservatism” during a sweeping speech Thursday night that will only stoke speculation about a 2016 presidential run.
Speaking before the conservative American Principles Project dinner at a downtown Washington hotel, Cruz said the GOP’s thumping in the 2012 elections was more the result of poor messaging and communication than the wrong ideology. “Why did we lose? It wasn’t as the media would tell you: because the American people embraced big government, Barack Obama’s spending and debt and taxes. … That wasn’t what happened. I’m going to suggest to you a very simple reason why we lost the election: We didn’t win the argument,” Cruz said before pointedly lowering his voice. “We didn’t even make the argument.”
While the 41-year-old Cuban-American warned that Republicans need not abandon their principles in order to rebound electorally, he did suggest the party should retool its rhetoric on economic and cultural issues.
“We need to embrace what I call ‘Opportunity Conservatism.’ We need to conceptualize, we need to articulate conservative domestic policy with a laser focus on opportunity, on easing the means of ascent up the economic ladder,” he said.
While he conceded the party’s harsh tone on immigration was undoubtedly a factor, Cruz cited Mitt Romney’s infamous “47 percent” comment as the main reason the president performed so well with Hispanics.
“I think far more important was 47 percent. … Republicans nationally, the story we conveyed was that 47 percent are stuck in a static world. We don’t have to worry about you, what that clip famously said. I cannot think of an idea more antithetic to the American principle,” Cruz said. “We embraced in that comment, and in the narrative we made to this country, the Democrat notion that there is a fixed and static pie. … The rich are the rich, the poor are the poor, and all that matters is redistributing from one to the other. The essence of the conservative message should be we want a dynamic nation where anybody with nothing can achieve anything,” he added to cheers from the audience. “We did an incredibly poor job at articulating the message of opportunity.” . . . Read More
GOP Senator-Elect Ted Cruz Stokes 2016 Presidential Speculation with Speech on “Opportunity Conservatism” – Video Report 11/30/12
It sounds like Rick Santorum may try to pick up where he left off and run for the GOP Presidential Nomination again in 2016:
THE WEEKLY STANDARD: Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum says he is “open” to another run for president in 2016. Santorum was asked about a possible presidential campaign Monday at THE WEEKLY STANDARD.
“I’m open to it, yeah,” Santorum replied. “I think there’s a fight right now as to what the soul of the Republican party’s going to be and the conservative movement, and we have something to say about that. I think from our battle, we’re not going to leave the field.”
In 2012, Santorum won nearly 4 million votes and 11 GOP primary contests—the same number of states, he pointed out, Ronald Reagan won in his failed 1976 presidential bid. The nomination eventually went to Mitt Romney, whom Santorum argued did not focus on what he considered the “main issue” of the race: The role of government in the lives of Americans. . . . Read More
Sen. Rick Santorum Says He’s “Open” to 2016 Presidential Run; Draws Parallel with Ronald Reagan – 11/26/12
The Jeb Bush train for 2016 appears to be forming.
NRO – THE CORNER: Former Florida governor Jeb Bush met Monday with a group of his former staffers at the J. W. Marriott hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue, just steps from the White House. Bush, a potential 2016 presidential contender, spent an hour in the hotel’s Cannon room, reminiscing and entertaining questions about his political future.
In an interview with NRO, Bush did not rule out a presidential run. “I am here to catch up with folks and promote education reform,” he said, smiling.
When asked again whether he will issue a Sherman-type statement about his future, Bush remained coy. “We have an alumni group that I like keeping in touch with,” he said. “I’m here to focus on educational reform, and that’s what I’m going to tell people.” . . . Read More
Report: Gov. Jeb Bush Meets with Former Staffers “Just Steps from the White House”; Won’t Rule Out 2016 Presidential Run – 11/26/12
Here is video of Jeb Bush Jr. on CNN where he was asked if his Dad – former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush – is going to run for President in 2016. He laughed, then said: “I don’t know. No comment. I certainly hope so.”
Jeb Bush Jr. Asked if His Dad is Going to Run For President: “I don’t Know. . . I Certainly Hope So” – Video 11/24/12
Here is video of GOP Sen. Rand Paul in an interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl. Paul said of a possible 2016 GOP Presidential run, “I’m not going to deny that I’m interested.”
CORRECTED HEADLINE: It’s “2016″ Rand Paul is interested in – not “2012″!
Sen. Rand Paul on Possible 2016 GOP Presidential Nomination Run: “I’m Not Going to Deny that I’m Interested” – Video 11/20/12
Here is complete video of Sen. Marco Rubio speaking in Iowa tonight at a birthday event for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. Many believe this trip by Rubio to Iowa is his opening foray into the 2016 GOP Presidential Nomination race. Rubio made the case for taking the conservative message of why Free Enterprise and Limited Government are the principles to give Americans a shot at the best future they can possibly have. Rubio urged conservatives to not give up on taking that message to the country in a positive and compassionate way.
Sen. Marco Rubio Delivers Speech in Iowa; Urges Taking Conservative Message of Free Enterprise and Limited Government to America in a Positive Way – Complete Video 11/17/12
Louisiana GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal will assume leadership of the Republican Governors Association, nad may be getting himself ready for a 2016 run at the Presidency. In an interview yesterday, Jindal called for the Republican Party to be the Party of “big ideas” and “solutions” that appeals to every American voter:
POLITICO: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday called on Republicans to “stop being the stupid party” and make a concerted effort to reach a broader swath of voters with an inclusive economic message that pre-empts efforts to caricature the GOP as the party of the rich.
In his first interview since his party’s electoral thumping last week, Jindal urged Republicans to both reject anti-intellectualism and embrace a populist-tinged reform approach that he said would mitigate what exit polls show was one of President Barack Obama’s most effective lines of attack against Mitt Romney.
“We’ve got to make sure that we are not the party of big business, big banks, big Wall Street bailouts, big corporate loopholes, big anything,” Jindal told POLITICO in a 45-minute telephone interview. “We cannot be, we must not be, the party that simply protects the rich so they get to keep their toys.”
He was just as blunt on how the GOP should speak to voters, criticizing his party for offending and speaking down to much of the electorate.
“It is no secret we had a number of Republicans damage our brand this year with offensive, bizarre comments — enough of that,” Jindal said. “It’s not going to be the last time anyone says something stupid within our party, but it can’t be tolerated within our party. We’ve also had enough of this dumbed-down conservatism. We need to stop being simplistic, we need to trust the intelligence of the American people and we need to stop insulting the intelligence of the voters.” . . . Read More
Gov. Bobby Jindal Set to Assume Leadership of Republican Governors Association; Offers Blunt Talk on Future of GOP – 11/13/12
We’re three days past the 2012 Presidential Election, and it’s already time to start thinking about 2016! Sen. Marco Rubio will be heading to Iowa to speak at a birthday fundraiser for Gov. Terry Branstad. Many believe Rubio will make a run for the 2016 GOP Presidential Nomination:
DAILY CALLER:
Sen. Marco Rubio is heading to Iowa next weekend to headline a birthday fundraiser for Gov. Terry Branstad.
The invitation to the “Governor’s 2nd Annual 65th Birthday Bash” promises “Live Music,” “Speeches,” “Dancing,” “Fun for the Whole Family,” and, not to be forgotten, “Birthday Cake.”
But more importantly, it promises a likely Republican presidential contender in the state that is not only a crucial swing state, but holds the first nominating caucus in the nation.
Rubio was considered a possible vice presidential pick for Mitt Romney this cycle.
Branstad’s fundraiser last year boasted six of the Republican presidential contenders as speaker — though Romney was not among them. Newt Gingrich also attended the event, but arrived late and did not have a speaking spot, according to CNN. . . . Read More
2016 ought to be very interesting because it will be an open race for both the Democrats and the Republicans, since President Obama will have served two terms.
And so it begins. RT @alexconantJust announced: @marcorubio will headline @terrybranstad‘s bday fundraiser on 11/17/12 in Altoona, IA
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 8, 2012
Smart move. MT @erinmcpike: RCP SCOOP: Marco Rubio has declined Mitch McConnell’s entreaties to run the NRSC next cycle.
— Matt K. Lewis (@mattklewis) November 7, 2012
