I have been focusing mainly on the international scene for the last few posts, primarily because I think enough conservative and non-conservative commentators have taken up the health care battle with gusto and did not want people to ignore what happens beyond our shores. I would like to change subjects for a moment and write about Marco Rubio who caught my attention due to his actions and recommendations as Speaker of the Florida House. His run for the Senate against Charlie Crist, the current, moderate, ultra-tanned governor of FL, is likely to prove disastrous. Sorry, Rubio. This is not because he lacks substance but rather because he is up against the GOP establishment which has pretty much endorsed Crist (though Rubio denies it). In my humble opinion, there are certain things that Rubio can do to improve his performance in this race. Already, he has made several existential mistakes and so I will endeavor to outline some of his weaknesses and recommend ways to turn them into strengths.

His first “weakness” is actually the central argument behind his candidacy: he is conservative, not moderate. While he may not say it outright during interviews, in typical political style, he starts describing Crist as someone who has betrayed or compromised on conservative principles. The first thing he needs to do is come right out and say it “I will stay true to my principles, unlike Crist.” Be more direct, no subliminals, no politics, just the truth. He just needs to make sure he defines principles, like sound government, personal freedom, or whatever. If he continues to be branded as a “conservative,” while that might appeal to the more right-leaning base (like me), it will make some think that he is an ideologue and not even take a chance to listen to him. Remember, there are centrist Republicans too. Clarity of message, not clarity of ideology. Ideology needs to leave this contest. The message should be fiscal responsibility period. Pound it into people’s heads: Crist raised taxes, Crist supported record breaking national spending, etc. Stay on message. Put Crist on defense. Also, Crist will be running to the right in the primary only to backtrack on his positions in the general. Hold him accountable. Flip-flopping hurt Romney, Kerry, and countless others.

The second “weakness” is his presentation. I like Rubio, he comes off straightforward, knowledgeable, and generally like a nice guy. That said, Crist seems even nicer, in fact, too nice for my tastes. Rubio suffers from a technocratic sort of demeanor, like he knows how to make the best steak but will not dress it up with garnish or mashed potatoes. Well, I hate frills, but I do like to be entertained as much as the next guy. He looks kind of nervous sometimes. Sometimes he looks like he belongs in a lecture hall teaching philosophy to half-awake students. Rubio needs to loosen up when he talks policy. Throw a joke in. Loosen your tie. Smile more. Do something, but don’t overdo it. Of course, Rubio cannot compete with Crist when it comes to looking like a “nice” guy. This is where the weakness becomes the strength. Crist seems way too laid back… I mean, look at the guy, he’s ridiculously tanned. Ridiculous. This makes him seem nice, but it does not make him seem more competent. Rubio must capitalize by keeping his technocratic demeanor in place, with a little garnish of “approachability,” and point out that representing FL shouldn’t be a day at the beach. Make that can-do attitude (with a smile) the basic approach while saying that as Florida’s problems mounted, the person in charge was getting a tan, taking trips, and relaxing a little too much. Take the gloves off but stay positive.

The third “weakness” is his appeal to the GOP. Let’s be clear, just because Crist is not that conservative does not mean that the GOP will discard him. The GOP, like any political organization, is in the business of winning elections and Crist can win elections, general elections in Florida. Regaining a significant number of Congressmen and women is the GOP’s primary aim. So Rubio needs to make his case even more clear. The Obama-Crist link is not enough, it is good for conservatives, but not enough to win. The GOP needs to see results, it needs to see action. What this means is popular support. Crist has proven it, now it’s Rubio’s turn. I’m saying the grassroots should have an even more active role in his campaign, in fact, the grassroots should hijack the Rubio campaign. His participation in the Tea Parties was excellent, now that they know his face, he needs to plan another, and then another and another, he needs to participate in non-stop town halls, continue challenging Crist, get out there, eat at diners, speak everywhere… energy is very very very very important. Not saying that Rubio does not have energy, but this is where the focus should be. I, for example, was a supporter of the Fred Thompson campaign in the primary but was disappointed when the energy wasn’t there… McCain had/has immense amounts of energy and he won the primary even though he was significantly behind and not the most conservative (he then lagged after winning the primary and look what happened). There is a lot of untapped conservative and libertarian energy out here in Florida, if Rubio can mobilize that then he will show the GOP what he can do. Look at Howard Dean, he used this very model and while he did not win, due to self-destruction (byahh!), he did go on to lead the Democratic Party and eventually took control of both Congress and the Executive. Not a bad model… except that he’s as liberal as the current president.

I have more recommendations and observations, but these are the big ones. Hopefully, Rubio will change his tactics a little because he seems to have good ideas and a good heart. I also can relate to his upbringing, hearing stories about the Castro gulag, the repression of faith, the mass extermination of “political opponents,” etc. These stories were our nursery rhymes, these stories stressed the importance of freedom, respect for human rights, and the accountability of government to the people. These are lessons that are ignored by many on the Left, and the main reason (in my opinion) why Cuban-Americans have tended towards conservatism. This race is a microcosm of the greater struggle within the Republican Party, the struggle to define itself as either the party of winning elections or the party of individual empowerment.

-AG