Republicans are already beginning to make excuses for Marco Rubio’s failure to excite GOP voters. Here are some of the reasons offered so far. I cannot disagree with them, but I don’t believe any of them are the primary cause, only symptoms of the disease.

Rubio’s one accomplishment during nearly eight years on the Senate was reneged.

1. The young Senator was part of the ‘gang of eight’ in 2013 which formulated a comprehensive and realistic bill which would reform immigration laws, and solve the problem of nearly 12 million undocumented residents. He stood proudly with seven other senators as they revealed their bi-partisan proposal. Immediately after this event, Rubio advised Representatives in the House to reject the bill. Flip-flops cost politicians elections.
2. Rubio failed to exhibit talents and abilities which would convince his supporters that he could make the tough decisions as President of the United States, as well as displaying diplomatic skills needed in foreign relations. His campaign was virtually ineffective.
3. Rubio’s team failed to prepare him for debates which were not actually debates at all. He was prepared, maybe too much so, for something which never materialized. When faced with attacks he had not anticipated, he repeated himself and offered questions about his ability to think spontaneously.
4. Marco failed to address right wing voters. Their support of Trump is proof that they are angry at those in Washington. Rubio attempted to be positive, but without offering specifics. Our nation has multiple domestic problems, but he failed to speak directly to them.
5. His biggest mistake of all was attempting to be Donald Trump. When he attacked the real estate mogul for the color of his skin, and the size of his hands, he made a complete fool of himself. This was a terrible choice of strategies.

Yesterday Rubio made a speech near Miami. He is presently behind Trump in the Florida polls by 16 to 20 points; it takes place on Tuesday. The ‘crowd was embarrassing,’ to say the least.

Speaking in Hialeah, supporters were estimated to total a ‘couple of hundred.’ They barely filled the end zone, and no one was in the stands.

Rubio’s failure was guaranteed after the first debate. He exhibited a lack of experience and offered no qualifications to become the leader of the free world. When his strongest supporters were asked what his accomplishments had been in the Senate, they were unable to name one. In addition, he did not address a single reason why Republican voters are so angry at the establishment; Trump is the result of their displeasure, not the cause.

The overall truth regarding the 2016 campaign season is that the GOP has failed the American people. Our nation, our government, is at its best when we have two viable parties who fight for all of the American people, and deny the privileged their wishes over the majority. Not a single member of the clown car talked about the majority. There were few during eleven faux-debates, but when they did speak of issues, their solutions were all slanted towards the wealthiest Americans.

If Republicans want to win elections, they must separate themselves from the extremists in their party. With the addition of the TEA Party in 2010 our government failed to be effective. Without compromise our Democratic Republic does not exist.

The GOP must return to its most recent success; the administration of George H.W. Bush.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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