Senator Marco Rubio made a campaign stop in Davenport this morning, speaking at 8:00 AM. There were about 150 people present by my estimation. His speech was at the Scott County Republican HQ (SCRHQ), filling the main room and overflowing into a side room. The venue is not ideal even if the candidates are trying to crowd a smallish place for appearances sake — as in enabling the “packed house” press release afterwords. But such manipulations may only be a by-product of availability.
The SCRHQ venue is centrally located in the metro Scott County area, but it is upstairs and its main room does not have a clear span and it has several desks and other office furnishings taking up significant floor space. St. Ambrose University is also centrally located and has been used by others, Ben Carson being one that I was able to attend. The room he used was also upstairs but it has a clear span and has movable divider walls. Carson’s campaign stop could boast 300 in an over flowing “room” at 7:30 AM. Bernie Sanders had a campaign appearance in the same location but he used the undivided room and appeared to have 600 (later in the day).
Maybe St Ambrose was not available. Perhaps it is just as well as it avoids the audience having to sit through the welcome by a St. Ambrose official assuring them that the institution is apolitical. Never mind that every attempt is made by them to indoctrinate the students to a leftist mindset and grease the way for Democrats. Upon hearing the perfunctory disclaimer Democrats wink and Republicans should gag.
But enough about venue, most remarkable was “The Speech.” That pretty much describes the main event in these appearances as the candidates bump around the state and country. They give a well rehearsed stump speech, that is not unusual, necessary for most, but Rubio’s came off as hurried. There was not enough dramatic pause. His intonation reminded me of a faster paced Mario Cuomo style of delivery.
You have essentially heard Rubio’s speech in bits and pieces on Fox etc., except he had nothing to say about border security. Not one word. The talking head shows would not let him get away without addressing it, particularly with Trump seizing the issue. Rubio has criticized Trump for some arguably rough statements he made but we felt it strange that he did not address the matter of border control here. It is too hot a subject — not one you would think he would leave to audience questioning. First of all there wasn’t any. There was no provision for questions from the floor even though he allowed for plenty of time for glad handing and picture-taking. On that he is a very engaging friendly and accommodating fellow.
Rubio made reference at one or two points to the humble beginnings of his folks, his dad growing up in Cuba, having to quit school at 9 years of age to work and continuing to do so for 70 years, mostly in this country as a bar tender. That mention could have been a segue to the topic of immigration as it has served him in the past. That was not to be. But other than leaving out the biggest political issue of the day, the speech was good. We think that he and a few other Republican candidates are regrouping after their disparagement of Trump. The dump on Trump appears to have backfired, instead serving to paint those so engaged as do-nothing Republicans.
One thing Senators can do effectively is emphasize the importance of foreign policy to the economy, America’s place in the world, the necessity of military strength – Rubio did that compellingly. If only he hadn’t voted to give away Senate powers over multi-national trade treaties. Some governors can suggest an overlap of their governance and foreign dealings. It won’t be Scott Walker’s greatest reference point however, so he will play to other strengths. Washington is not in good repute especially among Republican grassroots caucus goers. Nevertheless we do not buy into the riff that we must nominate a governor. It didn’t help with Romney. It all depends on what kind of governor, and what kind of senator. We think the right philosophy with the demonstrated willingness to upset the applecart when needed (and the need is now) is what is crucial.
R Mall
