Marco Rubio - the Freshman Senator from Florida Making Waves in Washington

I first met Marco Rubio after being invited by my friend, Paul Phillips, to attend a private fundraiser at the Palma Ceia Country Club in Tampa, Florida. Then, still a senate hopeful, Rubio's speech was powerful and from the heart. Not even as he took questions from the crowd did he need notes or a teleprompter to find his answers. The notable absence of "uh" and "umm" also made it clear that, not only did Marco Rubio know his proverbial stuff, he believed in every word he said. I was honored when Mr. Rubio took my question about his position on offshore drilling in the Gulf.

The opinion tides regarding offshore drilling have shifted radically over the years. While a 2010 Quinnipac poll showed that most Floridians supported offshore drilling, the majority became opposed in the wake of the BP oil spill. Now, with gas prices predicted to hit $5 per gallon by Memorial Day, a recent Gallup poll shows six in ten Americans again support drilling our own oil sources.

Unlike many politicians, whose positions on this issue shift in accordance with the results of opinion polls , even as tar balls washed up on the shores of the Florida Panhandle, Marco Rubio remained consistent in his support for offshore drilling. Political pundits predicted that Rubio's refusal to compromise and pander for political points would cost him dearly at the polls. Clearly, these experts underestimated the potential of a politician who actually believes in something.

Where many freshman and senior politicians actively seek the media spotlight, Rubio shuns nationalized coverage, speaking primarily to his constituents through local news outlets. He repeatedly declines invitations to appear at high-profile GOP gatherings in favor of home-town events. Senator Rubio also refused to join the Tea Party Caucus despite having been backed by Tea Party advocates. Still, while determined to keep campaign promises at the risk of damaging his poll numbers, the name of Marco Rubio is consistently mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate for 2012.

I am proud to have voted for Marco Rubio. He's an honest man with a profound, unwavering love for his country. It's funny how a humble yet tenacious son of Cuban immigrants has to remind us of what it means to be an American. Where still waters may run deep, this 39-year old freshman senator from Florida has all the potent ingredients necessary to become a one man political Tsunami.

Sources:

Janet Zink, "Ronda Storms has primary opponent in re-election bid", St. Petersburg Times/tampabay.com

Quinnipiac University

Robert Holguin, "Analysts: Gas may soar to $5 per gallon soon" ABC/7

Lydia Saad, "U.S. Oil Drilling Gains Favor With Americans" Gallup

Sam Stein, "McCain's Offshore Drilling Position a Flip-Flop from Three Weeks Ago", Huffpost Politics

John McCormack, "Charlie Crist's Flip-Flop on Offshore Drilling", The Weekly Standard

Sean Lengell, "Obama Accepts Offshore Drilling", The Washington Times

Glenn Garvin, "Commentary: What exactly does Charlie Crist stand for?", McClatchy

"Marco Rubio Trounces Crist, Meek in Fla." Politifi.com

Luke Johnson, "Marco Rubio's Consistency on Offshore Drilling May Cost Him at the Polls After Oil Spill", The Washington Independent

Carl Hulse, "New Senators' Goals May Be Shaped by Their Styles", The New York Times