Marco Rubio admitted that he was going to get quite a bit of flack from his change of heart, but in his own words, “here it goes.”
That was the beginning of a statement from Senator Marco Rubio released on Wednesday morning in which he announced that he would indeed be seeking re-election for his Florida Senate seat, despite repeated promises that he would not do so.
Rubio, who just over a month ago said that he would be a private citizen come January, said that he has done quite a bit of thinking on the subject.
Interestingly enough, Rubio said that he felt it was his duty to remain a Senator so that he could act as the constitutional counter-balance to whomever is made president in January.
Rubio wasn’t just talking about resisting a President Clinton, though. He said that both Clinton and Trump would need significant opposition and guidance, a role which he felt he was qualified for.
“With Hillary Clinton, we would have four more years of the same failed economic policies that have left us with a stagnant economy. We would have four more years of the same failed foreign policy that has allowed radical Islam to spread, and terrorists to be released from Guantanamo. And even worse, if Clinton were president and her party took control of Congress, she would govern without Congressional oversight or limit. It would be a repeat of the early years of the current administration, when we got Obamacare, the failed stimulus and a record debt.
The prospect of a Trump presidency is also worrisome to me. It is no secret that I have significant disagreements with Donald Trump. His positions on many key issues are still unknown. And some of his statements, especially about women and minorities, I find not just offensive but unacceptable. If he is elected, we will need Senators willing to encourage him in the right direction, and if necessary, stand up to him. I’ve proven a willingness to do both.”
Rubio said that the decision was one that was probably not the easiest or most politically convenient, but one that felt the most correct for the political environment.
“In the end, there was simply too much at stake for any other choice.”
It’s a bit trumped up for Rubio to act like he has been the loyal savior of the Senate when his absentee record is known far and wide, but he does appear to be one of the half-respectable few who have not pledged all fealty to Herr Drumpf and that’s worth something.
