by Javier Manjarres
Florida Senator Marco Rubio held a meet-n-greet with constituents along with a brief Q&A session for the assembled media at his Miami Senate office last Friday. Senator Rubio indicated that he was “losing patience” with the Obama Administration because it has not submitted the Colombian & Panama free trade agreement to Congress, finding it “inexplicable why those agreements have not been submitted for approval by the U.S. Congress.”
I had the opportunity to ask Senator Rubio’s opinion as to what similarities exist between the policies of President Obama and those of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Rubio was somewhat taken aback by the question, questioning whether parallels between the two leaders even existed. His answer to the question is on the video below, but it leads to a larger question- does Rubio, or the political class for that matter, truly grasp the extent of Obama’s lawlessness and the expansion of his executive power- both of which are in direct contradiction to the national interest and only intended to further his political aims?
President Hugo Chavez has nationalized many of Venezuela’s industries- Oil, Banking, Cement, Telecommunications, and Public Utilities, just to name a few. President Obama has effectively nationalized industries in a more gradual and less abrasive way, as he has imposed ‘government-run’ healthcare (Obamacare), and assumed student loan industry, the home mortgage industry, and General Motors. Another similarity between the two is their co-opting of their national media. While Chavez has tightened his control over the Venezuelan media by seizing or forcing independent media outlets off the air, President Obama has effectively colluded with the mainstream media to enhance his image. This has been the case with NBC, as it has been a recipient of TARP and so called “Stimulus” funds, and if any doubt remained, Obama’s appointment of GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt to the Council of Economic Advisers should have removed any doubt as to whether Obama was fully in bed with friendly media. And of course, both Chavez and Obama are strong proponents of wealth redistribution- hello, Joe the Plumber? Clearly, there are parallels between the two- both have shown enormous disdain for checks on their respective powers, and they both have actively attempted to bypass those checks while greatly expanding the scope of their authority.
During President Obama’s recent trip through Latin America, two major issues came to the forefront which have largely escaped criticism from elected Republicans, including Rubio. First, Obama informed the Brazilian government that the United States will help develop its offshore drilling resources so we can one day import its oil as we simultaneously scuttle our own domestic drilling industry:
“We want to work with you (Brazil). We want to help with technology and support to develop these oil reserves safely, and when you’re ready to start selling, we want to be one of your best customers.” – President Obama
On his stopover in El Salvador, President Obama blatantly played the race card by claiming that the Republican Party is deliberately targeting “anti-illegal immigration sentiment”:
Perhaps some of my Republican friends are gonna start recognizing, if they looked at the last census, that they are gonna have a very hard time winning any elections if they continue to deliberately target anti-immigration sentiment. – President Barack Obama
Most of the criticism on these two Presidential statements has come from the conservative blogosphere, not from Republican elected officials. Rubio is missing out on some golden opportunities to take the lead on these pressing issues that directly involve Latin America or Latinos in general- we’ve heard very little from Republicans either about Petrobras or this blatant slur of Republicans made to an international audience on Univision. While Rubio has recently refrained from using the terms ‘Socialist or Socialism’ in the context of the President, he did offer the following statement at the 2008 RNC convention in St. Paul:
“Marx would be pleased (by Obama’s tax proposals). I love what Barack Obama’s candidacy says about America. I just fear what his candidcacy would do to America. To leave our children with a centrally planned socialist economy is not a better plan.” Marco Rubio
Rubio needs to be taking a much more prominent role on these issues where American and Latin American interests intersect- and not just on trade agreements. While Rubio’s work on fiscal matters has been admirable, there are other pressing issues out there besides the budget and the debt ceiling that require Republican leadership- our support of Petrobras and Obama’s offensive characterization of Republicans are two that are calling for Rubio to step up and lead on- now.
31 Responses to “Do Senator Rubio and the Political Class Grasp the Depths of Obama’s Duplicity?”
I fear Florida has elected another Mel Martinez, Diaz-Balart or Ileana. If he leads, I don’t think it’s going to be in ways the Tea Party envisioned. I was disappointed with his flip flop on the immigration issue and think he will join the elitists in Washington.
Because he’s “hispanic” he will be seen as a saviour to the Republicans who want that hispanic vote, but they are not going to get it with a Cuban in office. They are envied, for the most part, for their accomplishments and Americans don’t seem to understand.
Not really, most people don’t either. And isn’t that the real problem.
Just try a trick question, like why gas prices are so high and wallow in the answers you get. Hardly anyone will know Obama had stopped most all drilling in the US. And on it goes.
I think Marco did answer you. If you were looking for him to rip Obama to the degree of calling him an American Chavez (which is what he’d love to be but can’t) it ain’t gonna happen.
Rubio’s too smart for that. I’ve disagreed with him and criticized him in previous postings but think he has the right take. What other US Sen. is using terms like Marxist, socialist, etc. to describe Obama”s policies? De Mint, maybe?
You’re just gonna have a tough time getting htem to say
Obama=Chavez.
Great job of holding Marco Rubio to the fire on this one! I love Marco and the job he’s doing but we need to remind him we’re watching his every move too!
I was disappointed in his stance on the Afghanistan and Iraq occupations. We can no longer afford the cost in treasures of this country. Our money and our youth need to be returned home. I hope that the nay-sayers on Rubio were not right.
lol, I told you so.
I thought he answered the question just fine. He answered politely and clearly. Why would he have to be meaner? He has been consistent and it is refreshing for him to stick to the message. Dont go in the gutter Marco!!
I watched the video, and was very proud of Marco. I don’t see what the problem is. I agree with everything Marco said about Castro and Chavez. Regarding Obama, has Obama had troops fire live rounds on throngs of civilians demonstrating against the government, as Chavez has? Obama is truly a nightmare for our country, but at the moment, Chavez is much worse for his country. Ask yourself this question: would you rather have woken up in your town in America this morning, or anywhere in Venezuela? I think we all know the answer to that. Obama is the poorest excuse for a President we’ve ever had, and I think Marco made it clear that Obama is very bad for our country. But at least here we have some in Congress (like Marco) who will hold Obama in check…that is a lot more than we can say for Venezuela, where Chavez has already re-written the Constitution there to suit himself, and kicked out the members of the Venezuelan Congress who did not support him. I think it makes no sense to compare Chavez to Obama right now, other than to point out the fact that Obama is friends with the Venezuelan dictator, which is certainly bad enough! Here, we still have free elections and our Constitution.
Politicians… There is too much going on in the Obama camp than one man can absorb. The truth though is in the actions of this president of the Socialist (Dem) party of America. This next election is going to be about OBAMA, OBAMA, and the ship wreck of State. How’s “Hope and Change” working out for you?
What a difference an election makes.
Marco now assumes the role of the consummate politician. No longer does he need the ideas, input, or guidance from those who dutifully rallied around the sirens song from the new fresh face riding that tea party wave to victory.
Again dear brothers, who was on that stage with Marco on election night? No commoner that fellow. Notice how quickly Marco threw Demint under the bus when that Tea Party or Ruling Class moment reared its ugly head. Marco saw no urgent need to be associated with the ground swell that put him in power. He chose to go along to to get along. He’s moving up, you see. The Ruling Class is not about in your face politics.
It will, at least, be amusing to watch just how Marco handles the issue of border security and illegal aliens. Any doubts on how that one will turn out?
Six years is a very long time. Long enough for most “average” voter to forget what one has said and done or to just lose interest altogether. How else can Nelson’s political career be explained. Out of the five or so times I have tried to call his DC office and his Orlando office, I have Never Spoken to a Human. Voice mail is so easy to ignore, the dems have been using it for quite some time now.
I was satisfied with the way Marco answered the question. It would have been very bad for him politically to publicly compare Obama to a monster such as Chavez just to make this reporter happy. Marco stayed on script, pointing out that Obama is bad for our country. Marco is consistent. Politics is a nasty business. If a leader wants to stay in a position to affect change, they can’t throw around half truths and opinions that could be more damaging than helpful. Marco is very smart and his intentions has never wavered.
IF HE DOESN’T, THEN HE IS BLIND AND DON’T DESERVE OUR FUTURE VOTES!!!
Outstanding article, Mr. Manjarres. The similarities are obvious, and our leaders in Congress need to step outside of their Washington vacuum and look at the big picture. Daily, we are being bombarded from every direction by this Administration as it works to take away more and more of our Constitutional freedoms and weaken the USA. It’s impossible to keep up with it all. Whether it’s by Executive Order, unstoppable majorities, policies implemented by unelected Czars, regulations and mandates hidden in massive bills with special interest riders attached, they are destroying our country. It is by design, and power is the objective. Senator Rubio spoke eloquently of the Constitution and our founding fathers during his campaign as to why this is an exceptional nation. It is imperative that he and the other members that were elected last November to stop this assault by the Government listen to We the People.
After reading some of the comments about this article, I have come to realize why Republicans always shoot themselves in the foot when they take power. I’m not talking about Sen. Rubio, I’m talking about Republican voters. It seems that if the individual you voted for is not exactly how you have molded him to be in your mind, than he is no good, a sell-out. Rubio hasn’t changed on immigration, all he simply stated in the beginning was that he felt the Arizona law was unconstitutional and needed to be changed. It was shortly thereafter that Arizona went back and modified the law so that it could meet legal hurdles. Rubio than came out and said he was satisfied with it. Where is he wrong?
Also, whether Obama played the race card or not in EL Salvador with his mention of the census and Hispancis, he is right. Even Cubans who have traditionally voted Republican are starting to change. The old Cuban guard, many who came here in the 60′s are starting to pass on. Many Cubans that arrive today were born and brainwashed under the Castro regime of entitlements. Many of them continue with that mentality here. We also have to face the facts that the majority of “Hispanics” in the U.S.A. are from Mexico and traditionally vote Democrat. By 2050, the U.S.A. will have a white minority and the question will become. “Who will that Hispanic and Black majority vote for?” Let me guess…
Mr. Rubio was correct in all he alluded to and its time Republicans and Democrats realize what an asset he is going to be in his attempt to overhaul all the problems that have been voted in during the 1st years of the Obama administration. Let’s put more like him in office.
I believe Senator Rubio neither comprehends the depth of deceit, nor the magnitude of ego with which we are all dealing. For that matter, many of the POTUS’s own supporters have no idea of his deceit – they are just sitting there with their “hands out” for another handout! I am really worried about Marco Rubio, have NO use for Nelson and pray that someone of character and strength will oppose him so we can get him out of office in the next election.
Javier, thanks so much for having the courage to ask the tough questions (again!). I share the sentiments of others who say he is another Ros-Lehtinen, Mel Martinez or Diaz-Balart. Washington has made “moderates” out of those who, to my knowledge, used to be much more conservative. We can’t afford another moderate who wants to give away our sovereignty so as not to offend anyone. We MUST protect our American interests and it is not Central America that we elected them to represent. They are there to represent the American people and to secure our borders and protect us from enemies foreign and domestic. At the very least, they are not doing their job; at worst, they are aiding and abetting the enemy and contributing to the decline of our national currency and stealing American jobs, while “generously” giving them to our illegal Central American neighbors. It’s just another form of socialism. Keep up the good work Javier!!!
If Rubio is reading this take this into consideration;
1 – Do not talk about “entitlements” they are NOT. People paid dearly for those programs and then the Republicans and Democrats took the monies for other purposes.
2 – Stop giving bailout money to corrupt Wall Street firms like Goldman Sacks. Corrupt corporations that have the SEC calling fraud. Republicans and Democrats gave plenty bailout moneys to those institutions.
3 – Support a new review of the Sept. 11 destruction of 3 buildings in NY while only 2 planes hit them. It looks like a controlled demolition and we need to put that behind us. We have 1000s of Architects right now demanding a new investigation worldwide and it is not going to go away.
4 – Stop foreign wars in support of drug and oil cartels. Afghanistan is the main supplier of drugs to the EU. The proposed pipeline is called TAPI, after the initials of the four participating countries (Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India). Let’s make business deals not wars.
But support wars against DICTATORS like Kaddafi, Ali Abdullah Saleh, Bashar al-Assad, Castro, etc.
5 – Palin and extreme right do not have wide support in the electorate. If we go with them will have democrats again in power for another term.
6 – We need to put things into perspective while debating the health care issues in our country:
a – Every time an un-insured person goes to a hospital we do not let them die, that is not the American way, we take care of them and “us” the tax payers of Florida end up paying for it.
b – When an un-insured person goes to a hospital the case is normally really bad because they had no insurance and no preventive care. IS COSTING US MORE.
c – Persons with good health like type 1 diabetics cannot get health insurance because “pre-conditions”. That kept many people without insurance. Many of them health is better than you and me. KEEPING PEOPLE FROM GETTING INSURANCE COSTS US A LOT OF MONEY.
d – When you buy a TV set made overseas you are paying for the health insurance of that person overseas. Most countries in this “blue marble” have insurance or free health programs. We must tax foreign imports and the proceeds to go to support our health care system. WE ARE PAYING FOR OVERSEAS HEALTH CARE.
e – We must put money to support the population of the United States.
7 – Moronic ideas like “Service Economy” have destroyed our economy. 12% unemployment in Florida is not sustainable. We need to have “selected” import tariffs like it or not.
Selected tariffs. If a country buys from us as much as we buy from them then there are no tariffs. If a country buys from us less than we buy from them then they get a tariff. If a country buys from us more than we buy from them then that country should put a tariff in our products. This will promote commerce and make a lot of people rich and create a lot of jobs here and abroad.
8 – Do not support the internet censorship.
Rubio may prove to be a disappointment…fooled me
Had we been paying attention before electing Rubio to his present office we would have seen that he not only was not a Tea Party representative but that he was nothing more or less than a self serving politician like all the other politicans that have come before him!!
I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY CONGRESS IS RELUCTANT TO GIVE UP ENTITLEMENTS . TOSTOP
LAST MINUTE AMENDMENTS TO MAJOR BILLS,
OR TO GIVE ANY PRESIDENT A LINE ITEM VETO.
WE WILL NEVER BALANCE THE BUDGET AS LONG
AS INCUMBENTS HANG ON THE THE OLD WAYS.
JUST LIKE THEY DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR PENSIONS AND PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL SECURITY.
OR TO GIVE UP THEIR HEALTH BENEFITS SHOULD
THEY NOT REPEAL OBAMACARE. REMEMBER TO RECYCLE INCUMBENTS IN 2012.
I am surprised about the Offshore drilling comments. When Obama took advantage off the Gulf Horizon Oil Spill, he stopped all offshore drilling in the U.S. The Court ordered it unconstitutional and ordered drilling to be allowed. Obama ignored that ruling and issued only one permit in the year following the ruling. The Judge ordered that they (DOJ) would be held in contempt and ordered him to begin issuing permits.
Now Obama claims that they need 42 more employees to issue permits. Not enough help. LOL
Brazil: George Soros bought a massive chunk of Petro Brazil the same day that Obama stopped all offshore drilling here. He sold it the day the Judge ordered them to begin issuing drilling permits. Sound funny? Then, Obama decided to issue permits to Brazil so they could drill here. Once again, Soros bought massive stock. Soros also now owns a good chunk of PertoBrazil. There was a reason Obama did not want to issue or allow drilling and permits here. He stalled and defied the Court and Judge until the Judge was furious. Someone close to him, Soros, had a lot at stake and the rich were getting richer. Now Obama is going to fund ( subsidize) Brazil in their oil exploration??? Surely you jest. I may not be the brighest bulb in the lamp but I’m not dim witted either.
As for the hispanic voters, they will do as the black voters have always done. Many white people as well take advantage of entitlements.They will vote for the Democrats because that is who supports their entitlements. Take away the democrats and they lose their entitlements. The Democrats have always preyed on the poor, downtrodden and minority voters. Always. Look at Acorn and Get out The Vote and those organizations. Poverty Pimps is what they are and what they do. Prostitute the poor. Without the poor to prey upon and take advantage of, they would not have the votes they need. You always, always find these organizations in poor areas. Uneducated, ghettos, inner city and poverty stricken areas. I wish the people being taken advantage of would wake up. Study the issues and be proud. Work hard and make a life. Generations of welfare have set in and it’s become a way of life. The only way they know and get by. They must vote democratic.
I had hopes for Rubio and thought him to be just tough enough, moral enough to do what needed to be done. I am hoping that is still the case. I think he is smart and will study the issues for there are no easy answers and no one will agree all the time on anything. It’s early yet. Let us wait and see. It’s only been a few months.
Javier, thanks for getting tough with Rubio. While I do not equalize Obama with Chaves (by achieved results, while by ambitions – they are twins), tough questions help to see what a politician stands for. To see Rubio through, just compare his handling of ‘inconvenient truth’ with Allen West’s responses to CAIR and Code Pink challenges. Got the difference?
Excellent point, Mr. Manjarres.
“President Hugo Chavez has nationalized many of Venezuela’s industries- Oil, Banking, Cement, Telecommunications, and Public Utilities, just to name a few. President Obama has effectively nationalized industries in a more gradual and less abrasive way, as he has imposed ‘government-run’ healthcare (Obamacare), and assumed student loan industry, the home mortgage industry, and General Motors. “
I want to know what Senator Rubio is going to do about the illegal war in Lybia? I voted for him to stop the runaway feds and as of yet haven’t been emailed, called or shown media clips about his outrage.
Republicans will never stop Obama and the Progressives; they never have. name one Progressive agenda,law, etc. that has ever been overturned. (OK, Prohibition is the only one.)
All of Woodrow Wilson, FDR, LBJ,Clinton,Obama become “established”, and immune to overthrow. Republicans will “reform” and make the Progressive Platform more reasonable and more established.
Just Watch: Obamacare will not be overturned, just “reformed” by the Repubs. Facts of Life, sorry.
My question is does anyone in the Congress have the (insert word) to take on Obama’s lawlessness. What does it have to rise to before someone takes action. Obama lied last night to the nation about going to Congress before Libya .. that should be enough for some kind of action against him .. at least if I were in Congress I would try! Check out the AP on all the lies that Obama had in his “lecture” last night.
As usual, Sen. Rubio makes too much sense. Comparing Obama to a dictator who had no problem being directly involved in the literal crushing of his political opponents and staging a failed coup is just plain misguided. It’s a shame that so-called conservatives on this thread don’t see that clear distinction.
Marco Rubio has not understanding of the US Constitution.
I listened to Rubio and now cannot vote for him unless he is the only choice. He dismissed the question of importance of being born in the USA to be eligible to be President as not being important to him. What a crock, put Rubio in the “stick your head in the sand” camp. I donated to his campaign, not much but I did and now… The Birth Place and certificate (not certificate of live birth) is an answer that should have been settled and investigated, but by who? The Media is liberal and funded by anti American non conservative values and dependent upon the largess of the Dems that bailed them out. Although I hate to admit it Trump has the stuff at this time and Rubio should head to the WOMANS Room next time he need to relieve himself. As a side not I have a certificate of live birth, dated 1944. Used it for years until I was told that it was unacceptable to renew my Florida Drivers License that I held since 1966 and that I need a certified copy of my BIRTH CERTIFICATE…
I have had a Passport and used the Certificate of Live Birth to get it. Go figure…
Many Republicans and Conservatives are always pronged to self-destruct.
Sen. Marco Rubio is an excellent conservative who has demonstrable legislative acumen, as former Speaker of the House in the State of Florida he had a successful track record. He recognizes provocative questions that seek provocative headline answers. He is not going to fall into those traps, just to provide gratification to some. We are witnessing the difference between the jubilant amateur and the Pro. If we cannot distinguish an enabling operation from a winning operation, we are doomed.
2010 was an enabling operation, 2012 and beyond will be the winning operations. The initial winning senate campaign that he endured and succeeded against the Republican establishment and an opportunist incumbent is still not enough evidence to some of his conviction. Yes, he understands the constitution well, do not be a dilettante with comments of sophistry.
The real seasoned political veterans know how good Sen. Rubio is for the nation.
We do not need a flash in the pan U.S. Senator.