Rubio: conservative in politics, moderate in temperament, optimistic in outlook

I just watched an hour-long town hall meeting with Marco Rubio, moderated by Chuck Todd on MSNBC.   Aside from disagreeing with Rubio on almost every policy issue, because he is very conservative, I found myself admiring his ability to concisely artticulate his clearly thought-out positions on issue after issue.   He was very impressive, even when you don't agree with his conclusions.   I couldn't help thinking that he should not be the one who is losing so badly, while Ted Cruz is sailing along as "the only one that can defeat Donald Trump."

Matt Lewis, a senior contributor to The Daily Caller and author of the book, Too Dumb To Fail, wrote an interesting piece last week in which he contrasted Marco Rubio's political talent and his paradoxical inability to win the Republican primary.

". . . I have long believed that Rubio is a once-in-a-generation political talent who could sell conservative philosophy to 21^st-century Americans who don’t know they’re conservative yet.  He has all the ingredients that could make him a transformational political leader, in the vein of a Ronald Reagan or a John F. Kennedy. If only he could win the primary.

"He hasn’t been in Washington forever . . . and a close look at his voting record clearly demonstrates that he’s a bona fide conservative. Rubio’s ability to deliver an eloquent speech is unrivaled, and his personal biography as the son of an immigrant is an inspirational testimony about the American Dream.

"The problem, it seems, is that almost all of the attributes that might make Rubio a great conservative president don’t really help him win a Republican primary. Part of the reason Rubio could be a great conservative president is that his politics are conservative, but his temperamental “feel” is more moderate. He is optimistic in a party (and during an era) when indignation is more in vogue."

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I wouldn't go as far as Lewis in seeing him as "a transformational political leader," but he is right in pointing out Rubio's combination of conservative politics with a more moderate feel.    Certainly, if you contrast him with Ted Cruz.   Cruz is even more conservative in his politics -- but they are miles apart in the feelings that they represent and foster.    I read somewhere a description of Cruz's manner as "smarmy and oleagenous."    Right on !! 

Rubio conveys optimism about the future, if only we adopt the right policies.   Cruz conveys doom and disaster unless we listen to God and elect his chosen Cruz to be our savior.

The choice for Republicans seems obvious:   they should choose Rubio.   But has anything else in this Republican primary gone the way it should?

Ralph