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NEW YORK -– Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) put his foreign policy credentials on center stage on Thursday during an appearance before the Council on Foreign Relations.
On the heels of a trip to the military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the possible vice presidential contender warned that negotiations with Iran are likely to fail, raising the prospects of a military action against Iran.
"I think we need to begin to prepare the people of the country and the world to the reality that negotiations are probably not going to work and ultimately sanctions may also not work," Rubio told TIME managing editor Richard Stengel. "And at that point -– very cautious when you say this because I don’t want to come across as some kind of saber rattling person, because I’m not -- but I am in line with what the administration has said, which is ultimately, a military option may be necessary."
Rubio was less hesitant to break from the administration on other issues, such as the president’s handling of Syria. Rubio called on the United States to play a more active role in supporting Syrian rebels, saying the country’s reputation is at stake.
“Countries are looking at that as a test case of whether the U.S. is still going to be a significant player in the region or not, and they’re very pragmatic in that region and they’re going to make decisions based on whatever they conclude,” said Rubio. “And if they conclude that the U.S. is on its way out, no longer willing to engage in the Middle East, they’ll make decisions based on that reality.”
Rubio’s stop at the Council of Foreign Relations comes in a week where another speculative vice presidential contender is also traveling overseas. Ohio Sen. Rob Portman traveled to Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney has suffered some criticism from Democrats for a lack of foreign policy experience. Picking a running mate with strong credentials in that area could help neutralize any perceived weaknesses.
But Rubio, who has denied any interest in joining the ticket, made it a point to quickly dismiss the question he got about it today.
“Vice President Rubio has a good ring to it, doesn’t it?” Stengel asked.
“No,” Rubio dryly replied. “I appreciate you trying to work that in, though.”
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This is a joke....right?
His only claim to fame on foreign policy is, the bedtime stories his parents told him as a child about being an inner-tube baby!
No surprise the tea baggers are revving up the fear machine!
They're not gaining much traction when it comes to the economy, so we're back to them trying to scare the sh!t out of people!
Feisty:
After all the success the President has had on the world stage, and in defending America, you don't suppose that the Republicans are STILL going to pretend that they are the only ones that know anything about foreign policy? After the mess Bush made? And the attacks on our soil during the last administration? They wouldn't be that stupid, right?
Of course they will!
Unlike Obama's vast foreign policy experience when he was a Junior senator, which was eating dog while in a different country.
Is that your point old gal?
Love your shout out to the economy though. Too bad you so clearly do not grasp what's going on.
This is a joke....right?
He went to Gitmo, Cuba, Feisty......Cuba!
Did he fly or take the inner-tube?
They never learn NDD! Never...
When I saw the title of this article, I actually chuckled. Junior running on experience -- priceless.
Unlike the devious rightwingers who chortle about things like suppressing the vote. Hilarious thinking about the seniors who might be turned away at the voting booth after they manage to get to the polls -- so funny. Not.
one would think that with Obama's success with foreign policies that Republicans would be careful not to draw attention to that.
I guess i was wrong, kinda a stupid move on Rubio's part, almost makes you wanna think that he wants Romney to lose the election.
Feisty - I believe he did the inner tube route but the Cubans sent him back. They had better taste.
This has GOT to be a joke. Rubio - foreign policy credentials? Who forged them?
Spanky - we're talking VP here - so it would be Joe Biden, not Obama. And as intelligent people know, Joe Biden has a wealth of foreign policy experience. Get a clue!
Seeking - he took a clue from Bible Spice Palin - you know, her and her vast foreign policy experience because she waves at Russia from the kitchen window, and now Rubio and his vast foreign policy experience because he waves at Cuba from his kitchen window.
Sheesh - what a bunch of losers.
Red - maybe he's involved with Palin? Oh we could have a great time with that one! And, together they still don't have a complete brain!
Rubio can see Cuba from his backyard -
...so I guess - he has a lot of credentials in foreign policy...if seeing Russia (from another backyard) was the Republican standard
Pigotry - unfortunately as we continue to see, Republicans have very low standards!
It is absurd to knock potential Presidential and VP candidates for not having "foreign policy experience', if the only definition of 'foreign policy experience ' is already being President.
No kidding.
Feisty, did you see that speech from Edwards? It was CREEPY. He needs to go home and get over himself.
I felt so sorry for Kate & his parents standing there!
With any luck he'll fade back into the darkness much like Willard will on 11.7.12! ☺
Dang bubblegum!
I really felt for his daughter, Kate, given what Edwards said, and his affect.
His affect was questionable when he seemed really emotional talking about his children, especially Quinn, or was the emotion just for Quinn......
Feisty.....Ay, ya ya ya ya!.........
I sure am glad he didn't get closer to the Presidency. I can't imagine what compromises he might make to keep his secret's.
Besides his homecoming trip to Gitmo, Mr. Rubio can claim that he can see Cuba from his his Miami high rise. Outstanding foreign policy experience.
Actually, he is auditioning for Mitt the Barber's money men, Trump and Adelson, who want to take out Iran and set another row of dominoes tumbling.
I'm not a saber-rattler, BUT military force is an option and I want to always make sure to talk about it in every speech I make.
What an idiot.
Gee, a Republican pessimist. Republican xenophobia, paranoia, and bellicosity add up to itchy trigger fingers. Diplomacy is too complex for Republicans. It involves dynamic reason and effort, the antithesis of gun smoke ideology and Bozo swagger. Bless their hearts, when they actually try they end up playing piano for Kadhaffi.
Well if he wants policy, he can go back home to Cuba.
Bullheaded - you are a typical liberal racist!
Hey, Maybe Weiner and Edwards could team up for a run in 2016. LOL
Liberals hate hispanics!
Hum☺r from German Parades – Floats and Balloons in Carnival Parade
posted byDonna Calvin
These floats were part of the annual Carnival Parade in Germany
watched by an estimated 3 million people in 3 German cities including Dusseldorf.
With our controlled press, it is interesting to see that German citizens seem to know
more about the U.S. political system and environment than the majority of citizens on the streets of America.
“There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation.
One is by the sword. The other is by debt.”
▬ John Adams
Read more: http://blog.beliefnet.com/watchwomanonthewall/2011/09/hum%e2%98%bar-from-german-parades-floats-and-balloons-in-carnival-parade.html#ixzz1wSYpotcE