and it sounded like he brought the house down. Can we clone him?

although on your war on terror, that made me blush. Really? Prepared to whatever it takes? Prepared to overthrow the monarchy in Saudi Arabia? Prepared to cozy up to the dictatorships in Egypt vs Egyptions? Prepared to emasculate the arab nations and bring them to heel? I dont know about that, I mean, the people are pissed they have to save Iraq and Afghanistan from themselves.

Im for it, but I dont know how many people are.

“Big Guy”! LOL Hot Air’s Ed Morrissey posted video of Rubio at the meeting with bloggers after his incredible speech at CPAC. Here is the link to video and watch Erick respond to Rubio.
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/02/18/rubio-meets-the-bloggers-and-more/

about Marco’s appearance at CPAC. Amazing how you can take a series of comments out of context and turn it into a real pile of dung!

REMARKS BY FORMER FLORIDA HOUSE SPEAKER MARCO RUBIO BEFORE THE CONSERVATIVE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (CPAC)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2010 – WASHINGTON, DC

***Not Prepared for Delivery, Not Embargoed Until Delivery***

Good morning. Thank you for that warm welcome and the opportunity to speak to you about why I’m running for the U.S. Senate. [WAIT FOR APPLAUSE]

Since my campaign began, I’ve had the privilege of becoming the latest cover boy. Ask my lobbyist[1] colleagues — I’m a capitalist (at least when it comes to benefitting financially while claiming to serve the people of Florida[2]). And, capitalizing on that wave, I have successfully painted myself as a political outsider[3]. Our success in convincing voters that I am a new voice in Florida politics is surprising even to me. It seems that people are quick to forget (and I certainly won’t remind them!) that I was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000 and rose through the Republican leadership ranks to become the Speaker of the Florida House. All of this by a spry 36.

I owe most of my recent success from a single photograph. I say, ‘image is everything’ – and luckily, I found a photo with the Governor of Florida greeting the President of the United States. And Presto! Instant candidacy for moi! Sure, my opponent was aware Florida was facing a $6 billion dollar deficit and supported getting Florida our fair share of federal money. And, sure, I admitted I would have accepted the stimulus money too in a recent interview[4] (Stimulus! See, just like that, I say the word whenever I can). But that’s the Magic of Marco – I just back-tracked. I find it’s easier to criticize when you are out of office than when you are in office. I’m glad I was not Speaker at that time, or else I would have joined my Republican colleagues in the Florida Legislature and supported the stimulus money for our state, which would have been much harder to back track. That’s what you call lucky.

Concerned about out of control spending in Washington? Me too! Pay no attention to the fact that I sent my opponent, Gov. Crist, our state budget loaded with hundreds of millions in special interest earmarks – Crist vetoed $459 million of it[5]. I’ve helped support enough earmarks[6] during my time in Tallahassee to make even Shamu’s head swim! I even tried to score some new turf for my flag football league[7] (who wouldn’t want me on their team? I deliver![8]), but that was found out and promptly vetoed too[9]. I even spent over half a million dollars of Republican Party of Florida money just on my 100 ideas book[10] – including about $175,000 to seek other people’s ideas[11] and another $150,000 for other people to write them all down[12].

We all hate taxes. I hate them even more. Like when I proposed the largest tax increase in Florida history[13] – boy, I hate that. Lucky Grover Norquist doesn’t hold it against me that I raised taxes when I was in local government too[14].

I enjoyed speaking to some of you prior to my remarks. Besides the issues I just touched on, I heard directly about your concerns relating to illegal immigration and cap and trade. I want to touch on both topics now.

When it comes to immigration, I am all about talking tough[15] – my approach stems from the fact that it is easier to discuss the issue than to fix it. I had a bear of a time back in 2007 with this issue. Six Republican members introduced legislation that would have cracked down on illegal immigration in our state[16]. Frankly, I had no appetite to deal with this, so I never called one bill up for consideration[17]. Pay no attention that my more lenient views on immigration were well documented by many at the time[18]. I supported legislation that would have given illegals in-state tuition discounts instead of out of state costs[19]. I even won the support of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) – they gave me their highest award in 2007! They do seem to be a bit miffed at me lately, they claim I’m not the same guy I was in 2007[20]. Whatever … Stimulus!

I now say cap and trade is wrong, but I supported a carbon tax[21]. May sound strange (does to me too), and I know that shakes many of you to the core, but it’s true. Before I became a candidate for U.S. Senate I supported giving Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection agency a mandate to go out and develop a cap and trade program including a carbon tax[22]. This position was to get ahead of what would be coming down from Washington[23]. Clearly I read the political tides wrong, but I cannot stand by my comments from March 2008 or all of you will see right through me, I mean, that’s a lifetime ago in politics. Moving on …

More than anything else, my political rise provided me with the ability to influence public policy and see firsthand why Americans are tired of insider deal making[24] and self-interest influence[25]. We must put an end to this type of influence in today’s politics. There is no one who understands this more than I – a lobbyist while serving Floridians in the House[26].

I am not naïve when it comes to dealing with this kind of corruption in the political system. I have learned these lessons from firsthand experience. You see, when I was Speaker of the House, I tried to influence the political process by inserting language into three pieces of legislation to help a campaign contributor and close political ally be able to secure business with the Florida Turnpike[27]. I’m sure many in this room during a recent trip to Florida became familiar with the Florida Turnpike. I slipped this language in to the different bills with the hope it would not cause a concern. However, my actions hindered my chance of helping my donor and unfortunately all the bills were vetoed by Gov. Crist[28] (three separate pieces of legislation, it can’t get better than that- sorry buddy I tried!).

Being out of office now has benefits, though. I’m able to crisscross Florida any time I want because of the flexibility I have from my current job at Florida International University[29]. Education is very important to me. Although I never really paid FIU any attention before[30], as Speaker, I made it a priority during my two years to funnel millions of dollars to FIU[31] so that they could be leaders within our state university system. I knew they were counting on me[32] and, let me tell you, my partnership with them paid off big time. I was so excited about taking a part-time job, thankfully unadvertised, with FIU making $69,000 a year with full health benefits[33]. I hear the challenges of folks every day when it comes to health care. I’m just glad I was taken care of. I showed my good pal Ray Sansom, my successor and hand-picked budget chief[34] how to do this too – unfortunately for him, he wasn’t near as sly as I was.

I’m thrilled many of you don’t know me or what I’ve done during my 8 years in Tallahassee. My record is irrelevant in this campaign. My previous statements and actions serve no purpose in this campaign[35]. The fact that I’m a lobbyist and lobbied during my time in the Florida House has no place in this campaign. Many sundry things about me are out there but they have no place in this campaign. As I’ve said before, everything is done in the context of the moments in which you’re living[36]. So, anyone who brings up the fact that I have a record or even refers to me as Speaker must be running the most negative campaign in the history of modern politics, and, because of such, I refuse to talk about my past. I’m like the Great and Powerful Oz – pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! All you need to know is that I’m an outsider, I mean Conservative Outsider! [APPLAUSE]. (Oops, I almost forgot that one). I’m the new guy. I just hope this best kept secret remains just that. Despite my experiences and time in Tallahassee, I thank you for your support.

[STAFF ENTERS WITH THRONE]

——————————————————————————–

[1] Miami Herald, “Marco Rubio, Lobbyist,” 1/22/10
[2] St. Petersburg Times, “Senate run puts Rubio’s ties to FIU under fiscal scrutiny,” 12/13/09
[3] Ibid.
[4] NBC Tampa Bay Interview, 12/10/09, http://www2.tbo.com/video/2009/dec/09/political-slugfest-88039/video-news/
[5] Tampa Tribune, “Crist takes aim at Rubio’s bona fides as conservative,” 2/12/10
[6] Miami Herald, “Miami-Dade made out well this session,” 5/13/07
[7] St. Petersburg Times, “Rubio Rhetoric, Record Diverge,” 11/8/09
[8] St. Petersburg Times, “Senate run puts Rubio’s ties to FIU under fiscal scrutiny,” 12/13/09
[9] Ibid.
[10] Palm Beach Post, “House Speaker bets political future on tax plan,” 6/5/07
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Tampa Tribune, “Sales Tax Swap Survives In House Relief Measure,” 4/17/07
[14] St. Petersburg Times, “Rubio has several pro-tax votes,” 11/25/09
[15] Miami Herald, “Rubio’s immigration stance faces scrutiny,” 11/6/09
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Sarasota Herald-Tribune, “Census has Crist and Rubio at odds,” 2/3/10
[20]Miami Herald, “Rubio, Crist differ on who should be counted in Census,” 2/5/10
[21] Face to Face Interview, 3/13/08, http://www.wfsu.org/tfc/f2f-2007.html
[22] Ibid.
[23] Rubio Speech before Florida House of Representatives, 3/27/07, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z852N1MP0o
[24] St. Petersburg Times, “Senate run puts Rubio’s ties to FIU under fiscal scrutiny,” 12/13/09
[25] Miami Herald, “Rubio’s Budget Wording Benefits Ally,” 4/7/08
[26] Miami Herald, “Marco Rubio, Lobbyist,” 1/22/10
[27] Miami Herald, “Rubio’s Budget Wording Benefits Ally,” 4/7/08
[28] St. Petersburg Times, “Crist puts veto pen to work for Public,” 6/18/08
[29] St. Petersburg Times, “Senate run puts Rubio’s ties to FIU under fiscal scrutiny,” 12/13/09
[30] Ibid.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Ibid.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Miami Herald, “Marco Rubio may be called to testify in Ray Sansom case,” 2/11/10
[35] Rubio AP Day Remarks, 1/27/10
[36] St. Petersburg Times Video, 12/7/09

The Fair Tax HR 25 would solve these problems and much more.
# Reform the tax code, reduce tax rates across the board
# Eliminate double taxation – abolish capital gains, dividends, interest, death taxes
# Lower the corporate tax rate so it is competitive with the rest of the world
# Stop big govt energy madates such as Cap & Trade
# Put the consumer in charge of healthcare spending in America.

It would also fix Social Security and Medicaid/care, Stimulate our economy, and create jobs! Mostly what it will do is return the control of Government back to the citizen from the politician. It has about 60 or so supporters in Congress, mostly Republican. It allows the American citizen to control spending and THAT is why our Politicians are scared of it! I’m voting for the FairTax regardless of what party or movement has the candidate Gee, what if CPAC got behind the solution….

… but decided not to attend this year because I believe Mr. Keene still has some explaining to do by allegedly attempting to “sell” his “influence vote” to the highest bidder in a FedEx-UPS issue last year.
I know he’s not missing my $750, but feel he should account for his action.
Is anybody at RedState questioning him on this?

The St. Pete Times in FL recently asked its reader’s to comment on how they would fix the Economy. Before discounting what someone had submitted below, think about the billions already wasted with the stimulus $$ and what hasn’t been spent as yet… and what this Admin is asking for again in stimulus $$. Point in fact, in central FL alone I believe $150M was spent for turtle crossings under highways. Call me lazy, or just someone looking forward to being put on Obama’s Social Welfare, programs, but $2-3M each wouldn’t break their stimulus coffers

“Mr. President,
Please find below my suggestion for fixing
America’s economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the “Patriotic Retirement Plan”:

There are about 40 million people over 55 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings – Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

It can’t get any easier than that!!
P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes…

Mr. President, while you’re at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I’ll bet both programs would be fixed pronto”

Let’s see how I can be Politically Correct here… a group of 5- individuals; all of the same religious denomination, have been held for poisoning the food supply on a SC military installation… then there was the Ft. Hood shootings by someone who practiced the same religion… and let’s not forget the infamous “underwear-bomber” who also practiced the same religion.

Thank goodness the above individuals weren’t NRA member’s or Christians, or they would be labeled “militia-extremists”. Looks like its time to bring the TSA in to start swabbing every 80+ yr old grandmother and their 2-yr old grandchild visiting our bases for gun, explosive and poison residue.

“The founding fathers did their job, we need some defending fathers.

Anyone see Herman Cain? He had a good message.

“We no longer elect statesmen so we need to be active and vocal in between elections.”

“stay informed and learn history or you will drink the liberal koolaid.”

I do not hear anyone offering a Bank Consumer Protection Bill or Insurance Consumer Protection Bill for us “little” guys or us grass roots voters. Congress bailed them out with OUR money…now who is going to protect us from these crooks? The GOP or a Third Party???

Banks deduct checks & debit card expenditures BEFORE giving us consumers credit for our deposits. This is to screw us into having ISF. WHO is going ot make the banks give us credit for our deposits FIRST then take out our checks & debit card expenses???

These ISF means millions of us on SS have to pay these fees instead of buying groceries or medicine!! Who care??? Does the GOP or CPAC?