Marco Rubio finally gives his GOP blessing to Carlos Curbelo

Marco Rubio finally gives his GOP blessing to Carlos Curbelo
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From the better late than never category, Sen. Marco Rubio has finally endorsed Miami-Dade School Board candidate Carlos “Crybaby” Curbelo analysisin his challenge to Congressman Joe Garcia.

But what took him so long?

Announced Tuesday, one has to wonder why Rubio was the lone Republican holdout in the GOP establishment’s backing of Curbelo way before the primary. His coveted nod is worth two from former Gov. Jeb Bush or even Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen — both for contributions and for votes. It’s even worth two Mitt Romneys. This is a predominantly Cuban-American voting district where Rubio is next to God, after all.

We have to respect our favorite U.S. senator for staying out of the primary contest, and some may speculate it is because his good buddy and former Tallahassee roommate, former Congressman David “Nine Lives” Rivera, was in the fight (barely with a single-digit pull).

But Ladra has to ask herself if he’s not, maybe, just a tiny bit disappointed. I mean, no matter what his written statement says, everybody knows there is no love lost there. Rubio was the deciding vote that gave Rivera the state committeeman spot in the Miami-Dade Republican Party against Curbelo.

And, as we were reminded constantly by a fellow Republican primary candidate, Cutler Bay Mayor Ed MacDougall, Curbelo supported Rubio’s opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist, and said some nasty things about him in 2000.

Read related story: New campaign ad questions Carlos Curbelo’s GOP loyalty

“His is a cunning and convenient conservatism that is inconsistent with his record,” Curbelo was quoted as saying in a Miami Herald 2009 story. At the time, he was working for then-Sen. George LeMieux, a Crist ally who was basically running his failed senatorial campaign.

“His is a cunning and convenient conservatism that is inconsistent with his record,” Curbelo said back then, referring to Rubio.

Read related story: New campaign ad questions Carlos Curbelo’s GOP loyalty

At the time he was quoted in that Miami Herald in 2009, he was already working for then-Sen. George LeMieux, a Crist ally who was basically running the former guv’s failed senatorial campaign.

– See more at: https://www.politicalcortadito.com/2014/07/26/carlos-curbelo-marco-rubio-attack/#sthash.OFVdjn1g.dpuf

“His is a cunning and convenient conservatism that is inconsistent with his record,” Curbelo said back then, referring to Rubio.

Read related story: New campaign ad questions Carlos Curbelo’s GOP loyalty

At the time he was quoted in that Miami Herald in 2009, he was already working for then-Sen. George LeMieux, a Crist ally who was basically running the former guv’s failed senatorial campaign.

– See more at: https://www.politicalcortadito.com/2014/07/26/carlos-curbelo-marco-rubio-attack/#sthash.OFVdjn1g.dpuf

Sure, after Crist switched to run as an independent, Curbelo switched sides and went to Rubio. But does that count? He sorta had to, didn’t he? And cristcurbelo2with all things equal, he chose to support Crist over Rubio.

And, also, did he not mean it when he said Rubio had a “cunning and convenient conservatism”? Was he just being politically expedient (read: a hipocryt)? Can we expect the same from him if he is elected to Congress?

And does this endorsement mean all is forgiven?

Ladra is not so sure. She has been told by people close to Rubio that the water is not under the proverbial puente and that Rubio still holds a tiny, political grudge. And while one of Curbelo’s close campaigners threatened with pulling Rubio’s nod out during the primary, it never happened.

More likely, this endorsement is what Rubio is supposed to do — natch, has to do — in one of the most closely-watched elections in the country, what the National Journal ranked the 15th most “likely to flip” race. The GOP is salivating with this seat.

And, when you read it, the endorsement doesn’t sound that enthusiastic and, actually, it’s mostly a self-promotional plug about him.

“I have dedicated this year to introducing policy proposals on a wide range of issues affecting South Florida and the Keys that includes reforming our anti-povertyMarco Rubio programs, creating jobs and helping more people attain higher education. In the next Congress, Carlos Curbelo can help me deliver on these kinds of ideas as we serve the people of Florida’s 26th Congressional District,” Rubio was quoted as saying in the Curbelo press release about it.

“I am proud to stand with Carlos Curbelo because he knows what needs to be done to make sure his daughters, my kids and their entire generation can achieve their American Dream,” he says (or maybe a Curbelo campaigner wrote it and Rubio approved).

Curbelo, who has never explained his previous attacks on Rubio, sure seems to have changed his mind.

Read related story: Carlos Curbelo keeps mum re 2010 attack on Marco Rubio

“I admire Senator Rubio’s strong commitment to addressing our country’s challenges – both here at home and abroad. I am grateful to have his support and look forward to working with him to advance a reform agenda that will empower the residents of Miami-Dade and the Florida Keys,” Curbelo said in his statement.

“Senator Rubio passionately believes in the powerful concept of American Exceptionalism, and with his endorsement we are on the way to help the citizens of our great communities find their path to achieve and to lead their own exceptional lives,” Curbelo added.

The statement makes no mention, of course, of Rubio’s alleged “cunning and convenient conservatism.” I guess it’s all “American Exceptionalism” now.

At least while it’s politically convenient.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2014/09/marco-rubio-endorses-carlos-curbelo-in-miami-congressional-race.html#storylink=cpy

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