# Why isn't Marco Rubio considered a legitimate 2016 contender? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [December 20, 2014, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716 "2014-12-20T04:05:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/61 "2014-12-22T06:54:10Z")
Marco Rubio’s grandfather was, horrors, an _illegal alien!_ Plus, according to a lot of the truthers, he isn’t eligible to be President because his parents weren’t citizens. Kind of a double edged sword there. He has claimed that his parents fled Cuba when Castro took over, but the truth is that they came to the US when Bautista was ruling Cuba. He supports a flat federal tax, he wants even more capital gains cuts, he opposed the Violence Against Women Act, he opposes Same Sex Marriage, he opposes abortion for any reason whatsoever, he doesn’t believe in global warming. Really a lot of things that the majority of Americans support \ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/62 "2014-12-22T08:34:15Z")
We’re getting off on a tangent, but I think there’s a major factor on the Cuban issue that hasn’t been raised: the interests of American businesses. American businessmen see Cuba as a potential market that’s cut off to them. Other countries are making profits trading with Cuba and they want in on it. So, in my opinion, there may be some instinctive anti-Obama posturing but when it comes down to a vote Republicans will listen to their corporate backers and end the embargo. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/63 "2014-12-22T15:29:03Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > Well OK, [here’s a story](http://www.vanityfair.com/business/features/2001/02/floridas-fanjuls-200102)about Bastista cronies who came to America, set up sugar plantations, enslaved workers, and wielded enormous political power. Whaddya know. I never said they were the only ones doing it. Just making sure we use cites that actually support us, that’s all. Had this one been your original post my follow up would likely not have existed. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > We’re getting off on a tangent, but I think there’s a major factor on the Cuban issue that hasn’t been raised: the interests of American businesses. American businessmen see Cuba as a potential market that’s cut off to them. Other countries are making profits trading with Cuba and they want in on it. So, in my opinion, there may be some instinctive anti-Obama posturing but when it comes down to a vote Republicans will listen to their corporate backers and end the embargo. That’s my take on it, too. At the very least they may go along with adjusting it so that more trade activity is technically not within the Helms-Burton limits. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/64 "2014-12-22T20:44:42Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > I wasn’t stunned. Just deleted a post that was redundant after **iiandyiii** ’s: upholding the embargo is a fading minority position, generally and among Hispanics in Florida, so Rubio’s attachment to the issue cancels whatever demographic/electoral appeal he might have had. But, remember, he has to get **nominated** by the GOP **base.** What do you think their position is WRT Cuba? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/65 "2014-12-22T20:46:15Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Oh, you mean something like “he’s young, handsome, **intelligent, understands the issues,** has experience, comes from a Hispanic background, and comes from a critical swing state?” Bear in mind that **GIGO** already shot down the bolded bits. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/66 "2014-12-22T20:46:28Z")
The Cuban embargo is like the gun issue. The intensity is all on one side. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/67 "2014-12-22T20:49:22Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’d also be interested in seeing Hillary Clinton asked why if this is such a great idea now, why wasn’t it a great idea when her husband was President? Does she think that him signing two major anti-Castro bills, the Cuban Democracy Act and Helms-Burton, a mistake? > > I mean, from don’t ask don’t tell, to DOMA, to the Cuba bills, to NAFTA, to Graham-Leach-Bliley, it’s starting to look like Bill did a large number of things his wife opposes. Well, I see no reason why that as such would cost her votes. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/68 "2014-12-22T20:54:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > American businessmen see Cuba as a potential market that’s cut off to them. Except for the sugar growers, who see Cuba as potential competition. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/69 "2014-12-22T20:57:44Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Well, I see no reason why that as such would cost her votes. Flip flopping can be dangerous if it becomes a habit. In 2008, the only thing she got asked about was NAFTA, which she never gave a firm answer on. But since then, a lot more issues have built up where she’s praised things that were the opposite of what her husband did. So it’s fair to ask her if she’d even vote for Bill Clinton if he could run again. What it also risks doing is establishing her as the lefty terror many right-wingers have portrayed her as. For someone trying to stake out a centrist position, she’s sure doing a lot of disagreeing with her husband from the left. That’s hazardous. Why bother with a liberal Hillary Clinton when you can have a liberal Liz Warren(should she run). Hillary Clinton’s primary appeal is that she portrays herself as well, a Clinton. The less she acts like a Clinton the less voters are going to be interested. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/70 "2014-12-22T21:29:47Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Bear in mind that **GIGO** already shot down the bolded bits. We’ll see if and when the primary debates ratchet up. Compared to the clown show of 2012 Rubio will seem like Einstein. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/71 "2014-12-22T21:36:59Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Flip flopping can be dangerous if it becomes a habit. In 2008, the only thing she got asked about was NAFTA, which she never gave a firm answer on. But since then, a lot more issues have built up where she’s praised things that were the opposite of what her husband did. So it’s fair to ask her if she’d even vote for Bill Clinton if he could run again. It is also fair to ask if Bill would take the same positions on those things if he were to run again. Different time, different world. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/72 "2014-12-22T21:44:17Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > We’ll see if and when the primary debates ratchet up. Compared to the clown show of 2012 Rubio will seem like Einstein. You mean, he might **change his mind** about the issues? That would be something, but how would it play with the base? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/73 "2014-12-22T21:53:41Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > You mean, he might **change his mind** about the issues? That would be something, but how would it play with the base? Well, he’s already in trouble for allegedly having a mind to change in the first place, with that crowd… ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/74 "2014-12-22T22:23:57Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Well, he’s already in trouble for allegedly having a mind to change in the first place, with that crowd… A mind is a terrible thing to change. ---
**Author:** ![Donald\_Rump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/75 "2015-03-18T14:21:08Z")
Marco Rubio supplies us with as good an [answer](http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=sSjnYZtn) as any to the OP: > [@](#): > > In an interview with The Associated Press, Rubio said the next U.S. president “should not be bound” by a potential Obama administration agreement, even if European negotiating partners stand behind the deal. > > “The United States, although it’s less than ideal, could unilaterally re-impose more crushing and additional sanctions,” Rubio said. He said he would also “use the standing of the United States on the global stage to try to encourage other nations to do so.” This is Palin-level stupid. Coming from someone who routinely prattles on about “credibility” and American “leadership,” it’s pretty rich to say that not only should the US renege on its international commitments, but that we should do so contrary to the wishes of our most important allies on a matter of presumably great importance. And what does Sen. Rubio expect to happen when the US imposes unilateral sanctions? Does he expect those sanctions to possibly be stronger than the current multilateral regime already in place? Does he actually believe that any of our allies would follow our “lead” in imposing further sanctions after we unilaterally blew up the deal they all supported? What Rubio is describing is a plan to trash American credibility, reduce our capacity to lead the world, an generally embarrass the country that elected him. Why anyone listens to what this fresh-faced sophomoric ass has to say, much less treating him like some sort of eminence on foreign policy, is beyond me. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/76 "2015-03-18T14:30:32Z")
the US isn’t making any commitment. President Obama is, unilaterally, against the wishes of bipartisan majorities in Congress. What would be stupid is to concede a power to the President that Congress shares. The President has the power to negotiate. He does not have the power to make binding law. Only Congress can do that. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/77 "2015-03-18T14:45:22Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > the US isn’t making any commitment. President Obama is, unilaterally, against the wishes of bipartisan majorities in Congress. What would be stupid is to concede a power to the President that Congress shares. > > The President has the power to negotiate. He does not have the power to make binding law. Only Congress can do that. The President has the same power to make agreements and negotiate that other presidents have. It’s Congress that is acting as though something is unusual with these negotiations – but it’s the same sort of (potential) agreement that many other Presidents have negotiated, without Congress trying to stop it. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/78 "2015-03-18T14:48:40Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > I don’t see much in the way of major flaws with Rubio. He’s young, handsome, intelligent, understands the issues, has experience, comes from a Hispanic background, and comes from a critical swing state. > > With every other major Republican candidate, I can identify at least one major flaw. Rubio seems like a solid all-around choice. What am I missing that discounts him as a legitimate threat? For 60 million people, he’s a Republican, and that’s enough to disqualify him in their eyes. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/79 "2015-03-18T14:51:49Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The President has the same power to make agreements and negotiate that other presidents have. It’s Congress that is acting as though something is unusual with these negotiations – but it’s the same sort of (potential) agreement that many other Presidents have negotiated, without Congress trying to stop it. Your point is valid, but the President cannot commit the US all by himself. He has to have at least the tacit support of Congress. Congress isn’t even likely to wait until he leaves office to violate his agreement, and they can probably do it over his veto. Some people seem to expect Marco Rubio to keep a commitment made against the will of Congress. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716/80 "2015-03-18T14:55:32Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Your point is valid, but the President cannot commit the US all by himself. He has to have at least the tacit support of Congress. Congress isn’t even likely to wait until he leaves office to violate his agreement, and they can probably do it over his veto. This would mean that Congress dictates foreign policy. They don’t, and never have. There’s nothing special about this President or this Congress that changes that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-marco-rubio-considered-a-legitimate-2016-contender/707716.md?page=5)