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Photo by Sally Gillies / U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio tackles the tough questions in his appearance Wednesday in Daytona Beach.DAYTONA BEACH -- The crowd of about 200 filed into the theater at the News-Journal Center and found every seat had a perfect view of the plain black stage. They waited patiently through introductions of the myriad local politicians as did the man of the hour, who stood near the back next to the curtain. But when he strode to center stage it was like turning on a thousand-watt light bulb and audience members went wild. Yes, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio was greeted like a rock star.
And why not?
Rubio is fresh, family-oriented and a Republican, who could really bring change to Washington and sweep Obama from the White House.
Clearly enjoying himself at Wednesday's packed event, Rubio bantered back and forth with supporters in his self-deprecating manner. His obvious passion for returning America to productivity and prosperity was fully appreciated and his speech was interrupted several times by applause.
Rubio said he was in Daytona Beach to “listen and learn.”
He listened and he responded, drawing raucous applause throughout the event.
The junior senator for the Sunshine State, elected overwhelmingly in November against Republican turned independent Gov. Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek, made it clear he's in the Senate fighting for all Floridians and the country as a whole, not just Republicans.
As for a possible run next year against Obama, Rubio was blunt: “Not Running for president."
We can only hope he'll change his mind. After all, things change quickly in politics.
Still, Rubio was peppered with questions as to how Republicans can retake the White House.
How do we defeat Obama?” one audience member asked, to which Rubio answered: “We wait for the process to work.”
As for the main reason why Rubio said he won't toss his own name in the ring, he said he has to get his feet wet and tackle plenty of issues. He said it was different here when someone lost their run for office. “If you don’t win as president, you get a talk show. In other countries, you’re dead.”
Rubio enthusiastically fielded questions on other major issues as he criss-crossed the stage, from taxes and spending, to increases in gas prices and the constant threat of terrorism.
“The ideology of radical Islam is real," said Rubio, adding he's not afraid to face challenges that have so many others sticking their heads in the sand.
While supporting a strong military, Rubio said Washington needs to gets its priorities in order.
No family would ever manage money the way our government does. Rubio understands that, which is why he supports the Fair Tax, calling for a revamped tax system and a balanced budget amendment.
Rubio said he supports scrapping the IRS and enacting a less complicated method for citizens to support government. While he enthusiastically backs the Fair Tax, he conceded there aren't enough votes in Congress to make that a reality at this point. He said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-SC, has once again introduced the Fair Tax bill.
Rubio was asked if raising the debt ceiling would help. His response: “America sells debt to foreign nations. It has been a safe investment for the rest of the world because the dollar is the global currency and America always pays its debts. But it would be foolish if we took out a second mortgage to pay the interest on the first mortgage. We must confront this issue now. It is a huge wake up call. It will have a huge impact on all of us. We must pass a balanced budget amendment in Washington like we have in Florida."
Rubio went even further in his distaste of raising the debt ceiling, saying to do so without cutting spending would be “catastrophic.”
When faced with the worn out “let’s tax the rich” solution, Rubio shook his head and said when taxes are excessive, it only stifles job creation and encourage corporations to close up shop and move overseas.
“In the past, tax revenue rose because income rose," he said. "You obviously generate more revenue from 10% of $100,000 than 10% of $10,000. When you tax the rich, job creation stops, businesses don’t expand. We cannot tax our way out of our current situation. We need economic growth.”
Rubio continued on that theme, adding, spending caps must be placed on Washington "where we just can’t print money. We must find ways to grow the economy and we must make this deal now. If China attacks Taiwan today, we have to borrow money from the Chinese to pay for it. A balanced budget amendment will limit government’s ability to spend.”
Rubio's energy on stage was symbolic of his call for America to end its energy dependence with foreign countries.
"The goal of the Middle East is to make sure we pay a high price for gas but not so high we’ll find something cheaper. We must be more effective and look to our own resources.”
For the better part of an hour, Rubio spoke without notes and demonstrated he clearly has an in-depth knowledge of the issues -- issues we can no longer avoid as a country.
From the onset, the audience love fest with Rubio was pronounced, giving the first 10 minutes of his time here with one-on-one attention with those surrounding him before taking the stage.
Larry McKinney, president of the Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce led the Pledge of Allegiance. The crowd then welcomed Rubio to the stage with a standing ovation.
Daytona State College board chairman and former state attorney John Tanner got the audience fired up when he said of Rubio's appearance, "Rubio has brought climate change to DC."
When the time had come for the Q&A to end, Rubio was given a standing ovation sendoff.
For those of us who follow politics closely, an hour’s interaction with the man who could one day advance to the White House was priceless. And hopefully sooner our prayers will be answered.
He is so passionate about America and protecting us from the slide to socialism. His was not a campaign stop, but talking points on securing America's future.
Rubio Facebook photo
FAST FACTS
Marco Rubio was born in Miami on May 28, 1971.
He and his wife Jeanette have four small children.
Rubio earned his law degree from the University of Miami in 1996.
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© Sally Gillies / NSB News LLC, 2011