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Subscribe to RSSWINGATE, N.C. -- Sounding more like a candidate for national office than a freshman in the U.S. Congress, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio laid out his vision for America’s role in the 21st century, framing America as a model for all democracies and warning that it could lose that distinction under President Obama’s administration.
Speaking at Wingate University in North Carolina, Rubio said that while America should not intervene in every conflict around the world, it has an obligation to act as an example for other countries to follow, through diplomatic and financial and, when necessary, military means.
“Without our commitment to the rights of man, annunciated by our forefathers, what are we? Just another big rich country,” Rubio said.
At a time when Republican presidential candidates like Rick Perry are warning against “military adventurism,” Rubio struck a different town, saying that America should not back down from perceived threats.
“Some suggest that America should heed the famous words of John Quincy Adams and ‘go not abroad in search of monsters to destroy.’ The problem is when America turns inward, and ignores the monsters abroad, they are likely to come here.”
He listed several examples of such incursions, including German U-boat attacks on American merchant ships during World War I, the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, and the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack, devised in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He cited the latter as reason for continued vigilance against possible attacks.
“If we do not have the luxury of ignoring developments in lands as remote as Afghanistan, then there is no corner of the world from which we can safely turn our backs,” Rubio said.
And, Rubio added, America’s responsibilities do not end within its own borders, but extend worldwide.
“If America refuses to lead, who will combat international outlaws? Who will stop terrorist weapons proliferators? Who will deal with Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs? The rising consortium of Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia. The growing challenge from China, which seeks to dominate East Asia but won’t even let its people use Google.”
Rubio praised President Obama for supporting the popular uprisings around the Middle East, but said he waited too late to make an impact in the region as its governments undergo massive transitions.
“He has been slow and hesitant and we have missed some significant opportunities to alter the strategic landscape in America’s favor,” Rubio said.
Rubio also blamed Obama for not heeding the advice of generals in Iraq when he ordered a drawdown of troops there, turning his back on Israel by, early on, opening lines of communication with Iran, and delaying the passage of free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
His criticism was not limited to Obama. He also targeted his colleagues in Congress for agreeing with the president to cutting billions of dollars in military spending and to further cuts if the Congressional deficit committee cannot reach an agreement – calling such a situation “the worst case scenario.”
“If the so-called debt super committee doesn’t reach any deal, the Pentagon could stand to be slashed by more than a trillion dollars over ten years,” Rubio said. “Our new secretary of defense, himself a well-known veteran, has warned that cutbacks of this scale would have a devastating effect on our national defense.”
Despite the sweeping scope of his speech, which did little to quell the perception that he might join a presidential nominee’s ticket, Rubio told reporters after the event, “I’m not going to be the Vice Presidential nominee.”
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They would have never come here had we not gone there so cut your BULL !
Say it isn't so - You have no clue what you are talking about. The middle east has been under other countries rule for centuries. The Brits, had it for a very long time. We don't stake any sort of ownership over there. Our first involvement was when oil was discovered in Saudi. We sent our technology and manpower to drill for said oil. We were in northern Africa in WWII. We've held diplomatic relations with several ME countries. Our first military action in Iraq was when Saddam invaded Kuwait back in the 80's.
You totally missed why they want us hurt... it's because of our relationship with Israel. We've totally 100% supported Israel until this current president. Obama has effectively shown the world that he does not support Israel. Maybe on the surface he does because he would be the enemy of all the Jewish people... but I believe he falls in line with those that believe Israel has fallen under Zionist control... which is far from the truth.
It's time to start thinking before you speak.
Brianb-999431=====You totally missed why they want us hurt... it's because of our relationship with Israel. I thought Bush told us that they hate because of our freedom.
Say it Isn't So, your statement is ignorant and completely misguided
your post sounds like some crazy international terrorist site's talking points
If they hate us for our freedom, why, when it has been around for over 200 years, have they only started all the fuss since, say, 1947??
Hmm.....
Who else is free Seattle Sue? Israel is. We have had a very strong alliance with Israel and the Hamas tenent is to push Israel into the sea. Al Quada has the same tenent... as does Iran... and Egypt will be adopting that very soon. They hate anyone that supports Israel and we are her biggest supporters. All the underlying factors are against Israel by Muslem terrorists... and if they can hurt us, they will be hurting Israel... that is why they hate us regardless of what Bush said.
"Sounding more like a candidate for national office than a freshman legislator"
MSNBC would never admit Obama was a "freshman legislator" .
Marco Rubio is formerly the Speaker of the Florida House and far more qualified for national office than Obama.
Nor would you admit that Rubio has no private sector background that any other day you would act as though it needs to be the foundation of the President.
Can't have it both ways.
Rubio has the it factor.
the bomb the he!! out if "it" factor, apparently.
The President had the 'it' factor, what is your point? The 'it' factor counts for Sen. Rubio but doesn't for President Obama?
Nice words Senator, but if as a Nation we do not begin to reinvest in this Country, there won't be much a Country for these Monster's to come to.
"If America refuses to lead, who will combat international outlaws?
Oh...I don't know...Who else occupies half as many other countries as the US, "rich" enough to strong-arm foreign governments through economic sanctions, and freely bombs and tortures with no consequence; war-hawks shielded with diplomatic immunity? Riddle me that.
who_is_the_man says, "Who else occupies . . . ".
First, it would be helpful for you, and people like you, that hate what the leaders of our country do to just leave. Calculate the percentage of U.S. citizens "occupying" any country around the world and then just move to the one with the least amount of occupying. Of course, you will have to be pretty precise with a calculator since our "occupying" even in war-zone countries is pretty close to zero. In summary, the USA occupies no other country. You need to get a life.
Second, when you want to comment on things like "strong-arm foreign governments through economic sanctions, and freely bombs and tortures with no consequence; war-hawks shielded with diplomatic immunity" when the topic was "combat international outlaws", it would be helpful for you to address the core issue. What is your alternate suggestion for combating "international outlaws"? Do you just walk up to them (if you can find them) and say, "don't bomb Pearl Harbor", "don't fly planes into the World Trade Center", "Don't crash into the Pentagon", "don't be pirates on the high-seas", "don't gas a population", "don't . . .and on and on". DON'T be silly!
"Riddle me that", NO, this is serious business. Have you heard of 6 degrees of separation? Basically from YOU to any event, you might have an indirect connection to that event within 6 people. We are in such a connected world that we are all connected. When a foreign government authorizes a citizen to bomb an aircraft that kills hundreds, that act is probably well within 6 degrees of separation for you. You might know someone that knows someone that was killed. Why do you think that the USA should not to "strong-arm foreign government" in several ways to seek justice? What is your alternate approach? Do you just say "don't do that again"? Do you seriously believe that will work?
I could go on and on but I suppose you really do not care. All you really wanted to do is attack a Republican is my guess. Personally, Republicans and Democrats have all proven to be the same. They all seem to fall into Congresses that spend money we do not have and send the national debt higher and higher. If you want to do something positive, then work for any candidate that promises to lower the national debt so that my grandchildren and your grandchildren do not have to pay off the debt of their parents and grandparents.
While rubio's comment has some merit on not ignoring monsters abroad, we should all realize that this constant state of military readiness and upgrades can very easily lead us down the same path that desolved the soviets in the early 90's. A responsible balance is needed.
I'm shocked! MSNBC's vaunted, unbiased, "neutral" example for all budding journalists everywhere, First Read, has somehow missed the ominous sign of Obama's impending doom by not highlighting the loss of Weiner's seat in super liberal New York and the Republican pick-up in Nevada? They didn't notice the earthquake? What? Say it isn't so!
Not only is it not the headline of the day (which it obviously is), it's not even mentioned on First Read!
How telling. These hacks carrying Obama's daily water pail can't bring themselves to even admit how important it is that a Republican won that seat for the first time in 80 years. Unbelievable. But they will always tell you when it hurts, won't they? Laughing my you know what off. Touche, boys. Ha ha.
Jeff-327966===Do you not remember a couple of years ago when a Democrat won district #26 in upper New York, a seat that had been held by a Republican since about the Civil War? So what does that mean? Nothing.
Flash Rubio: President Obama doesn't; it was the previous administration that determined that, "Bin Laden just isn't that important."
This administration is the one taking out terrorist leaders and defending the U.S. through military intervention. That is hardly "ignoring the monsters abroad."
Come on.
Rubio is just another talking head that wants to kill the seniors by getting rid of Social Security.
Is it true that Rubio really has a halo above his head and walks on water?