Rubio, Portman challenge Obama's understanding of his country

Republican Sens. Rob Portman and Marco Rubio, both potential vice presidential picks, suggested Thursday to a conservative gathering that President Obama and Democrats don't understand the nature of the United States on an economic or a religious level.

"Is the source of our greatness that we've had these really good presidents and these really good senators who are so smart that they know what's the best for the rest of us? We should listen to them? Is the source of our freedom that we have this government that spends its money so wisely and so strategically that that's what's created jobs and created opportunity? Well that's what one side of the political equation in America literally believes," Rubio, R-Fla., said at the 2012 Faith & Freedom Conference and Strategy Briefing.

"They say things that are divisive, by design," Rubio told the crowd of about 200, referring to Democrats and Obama. "They literally pit Americans against each other by design for purposes of winning an election, and that's never who we've been. And that is never who we've aspired to be and that is not who we should become."

In hs fiery speech, Rubio derided "enlightened leaders that went to Harvard, Yale or really good schools," without mentioning that his party's presumptive nominee, Mitt Romney, received law and business degrees from Harvard.

Portman, R-Ohio, was more somber. At times his speech became deeply personal as he recalled the role of faith in his own life and told the story of turning down a promotion in the George H.W. Bush administration to return to his cancer-stricken mother in Ohio.

The emotion gave way to a critique of the White House in the second half of his remarks. "The president gave us a glimpse into the failed philosophy that he has chosen last week when he proclaimed that the private sector was doing just fine. He needs to get out more," Portman said.

He also criticized as an attack on religious freedom the administration's recent push to expand birth control coverage in insurance policies offered by Catholic hospitals and universities. "This administration simply doesn't get it. A conscious protection that asks faith-based groups to abandon their mission of charity is no protection at all," Portman said.

Both men deflected questions about their vice presidential prospects, Portman by declining to answer questions, and Rubio by simply letting them hang in the air with no response.

[sjc_1]

Mitt and the GOP are trotting out a few potential VPs like a dog and pony show. It is a version of a game show where the one with the highest ratings gets the job. What ever happened to having real foreign policy experience? What ever happened to bringing something of value to the ticket rather than just votes?

[ugacrew]

Exactly.

[marychgo]

Isn't it strange? When Democrats point out the FACT that "voodoo economics" has been a lot more remunerative for the very rich than for the middle class, which has received a progressively smaller share of both income and wealth since the '70s, THAT's "divisive." But when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's good buddy Donald Trump questions whether Barack Obama is eligible to be President of the United States, THAT's NOT "divisive."

[johntlofty]

More of the GOP, "Obama is not like you", nonsense. If you feel like freeing up multi-national corporations to keep raking in profits while the American middle class disappears, vote for Romney.

This election isn't about capitalism versus socialism, it's whether we want a government that can stand up to huge corporations.

[sjc_1]

Yes, that is it. We have known for a long time that special interests have influence on Capitol Hill. This is SO extreme now that what the people want does not matter. It is one person one vote, not one dollar one vote.

[CBSDebbie]

So Portman and Rubio are now religous advisors? I'm an Independent so do I understand religion as they see fit or do I not understand religion as they see fit? I'm sort of confused because Portman is a GWBush man and Rubio has been caught in un-truths in his book. So what religion is pro-war, money, and lying?

[enlightenu]

wackos

[cnfrisch-2009]

What constructive legislative activities has Rubio accomplished since joining the Senate? All I've gathered is he sits on his hands, gives a few partisan speeches, makes regular appearances on Faux News, and collects his hefty government paycheck!

[ugacrew]

Any candidate that relies on gross mischaracterizations of his opponent, empty rhetoric and falsehoods in order to be competitive, not only displays a lack of personal character but clearly indicates that he can't compete on equal footing.

A worthy opponent would not waste valuable time criticizing an incompetent opponent and what he has not done, rather he would take advantage of that time to extoll the value of his own ideas and individual capabilities.

He need not describe to a crowd how ugly his opponent's suit looks; he simply needs to walk out in his and reflect the stark difference.

[lesserof2evil]

Just ****, and wait till Nov, so we the voters can shut you up for good.