For more centrist Republicans, Marco Rubio remains the choice in 2016. He is believed by most to be the only candidate who can challenge Hillary Clinton. Although he has questionable character, and has proven his lack of ability to care for his personal economic situation, the main concern is his lack of job performance.

Republican supporters are questioning if he has the will and if he will work hard enough to win. He has missed 40 percent of votes in the Senate since he declared his candidacy.

“Rubio has not put in the face time that he really needs to have, I don’t think,” said Al Phillips, an influential South Carolina pastor who backs Rubio. “I think that’s been somewhat to his detriment.”

His supporters are in denial of Rubio’s greatest weakness; his lack of experience and performance. His sole achievement in the Senate was participating in the ‘gang of eight’ who managed to pen a bipartisan agreement regarding immigration reform. After he endorsed the plan, he told House Republicans to vote against the measure. Who is he? He acts more like Jeb Bush who is obviously not motivated to work hard enough to win the nomination.

Rubio has been ‘teased’ by his constituents for only campaigning near the metropolitan area in Des Moines. They say that he is running for mayor. But Rubio is happy with his lackluster effort.

“Well, I just spent two hours meeting people and working here, and we’re going to continue to do that,” Rubio told reporters after a recent town hall in Muscatine. He added: “We love to be campaigning in Iowa.”

The latest polls reveal the Cruz is leading in Iowa with 30.2 percent; Trump is at 26.2; Rubio is a distant third at 12.3 percent.

In New Hampshire, Trump is leading with 28.3 percent; Cruz and Rubio have poor showings at 12 percent. Chris Christie is showing upward mobility.

The rise of Cruz’ numbers in Iowa is similar to those of Rick Santorum in 2012. Evangelicals favor a radical who supports the Christian religious right. They have no interest in other issues.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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