Writing at Opportunity Lives, Ellen Carmichael argues that Marco Rubio’s ascendance to “establishment favorite” suggests that conservatives have won, and that it’s time to EMBRACE victory over more purity tests. Carmichael makes some great points:
It’s a bizarre world when U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) refers to his Republican rival Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as a “moderate.” It’s a line he and his campaign have repeatedly regurgitated in the media and on the stump in efforts to portray one of his biggest rivals as being at odds with Republican primary voters. Though it is not unusual for candidates to create unflattering narratives about their opponents, Cruz’s attempts to paint Rubio as an un-conservative, “Establishment” hack are simply not rooted in fact.
Rubio currently enjoys a 94 percent rating from Heritage Action, an organization known for its near-unreachable standards of conservatism. The Senate Republican average, by comparison, is 59 percent. Rubio ranks higher than conservative firebrands Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) with 90 percent, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) with 82 percent and Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) — whom Cruz constantly touts as a close anti-immigration ally — at 80 percent.
Rubio comparatively scores much higher than the most outspoken conservatives in the House, too. By Heritage Action’s measure, he’s further to the right than Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) at 77 percent, Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) at 91 percent and Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) at 80 percent.
Let’s set aside Heritage Action’s rankings and consider those of other organizations Republicans revere. Rubio earned a 98 percent lifetime rating and a 100 percent rating for the 114th Congress from Americans for Prosperity. He has a 98 percent score from the venerable American Conservative Union. Last year, he tied with Cruz at 92 percent in Club for Growth’s scoring, and he has a lifetime rating of 93 percent. The National Rifle Association gives Rubio an “A,” and he’s earned a 100 percent score from National Right to Life each year he’s been in the Senate.
History also shows that the “Cruz Crew” is wrong. As a little-known conservative speaker from the Florida House, Rubio faced the fight of his life when running against the actual Establishment pick, former Gov. Charlie Crist (R, I, D… forget it, Florida), for U.S. Senate in 2010. Far from being the moderates’ darling, Rubio invigorated the GOP base in the Sunshine State. He articulated conservative principles in impassioned speeches that so deeply moved the electorate that he nearly won an outright majority in a three-way race with Crist and former U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek. Cruz should know a little something about this, as he surged from afterthought to Republican senator from Texas in a mere matter of weeks in 2012.
Is Carmichael right? Is Marco Rubio a true conservative? Those willing to flay him for his immigratijon position seem all too willing to give Donald Trump a pass on his disregard for property rights and past support for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Will they unite around Rubio if he can distinguish himself?
AAN Staff
The staff at American Action News are consummate professionals, who when not producing original, hard-hitting content, are scouring the internet to bring you the unfiltered news that matters to you! Our mission is to maximize your experience on our website. If we can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know!
