Marco Rubio vs. Jeb Bush showdown shaping up for 2016?

Marco Rubio greets Jeb BushAs immigration comes to dominate the political discussion, The Hill ran an interesting article Monday suggesting Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush are already “bumping elbows as both work to establish leadership roles on immigration and education reform while weighing 2016 presidential bids.”

The article points to comments Bush made in a recent op-ed for The Wall Street Journal that seem to criticize Rubio’s vision on immigration reform.

“Some policy makers are calling for piecemeal changes — such as issuing visas for high-skilled workers and investors, or conferring legal status on immigrants who were illegally brought to the country as children,” Bush wrote.

“Congress should avoid such quick fixes,” Bush continues, before adding that “such an approach is shortsighted and self-defeating.”

Which is at odds with what Rubio said in December.

“One massive piece of legislation, bill, is probably not the right approach, but I do think we need a comprehensive package, several bills,” Rubio said then.

Another sign that Bush is considering a presidential run is that his son Jeb Bush Jr. recently took a jab at Rubio for declining to say in an interview with GQ magazine how old he thinks the planet is, calling the response “strange” and “kind of a head-scratching type of answer,” according to The Hill.

All of which begs the question: Is a heavyweight bout shaping up between the two popular politicians?

Not according to Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), president of the Florida Senate.

“Marco Rubio’s political godfather is Jeb Bush. I don’t see any way they run against each other for any office,” he told The Hill.

In the event of such a challenge, early numbers favor Bush, according to Newsmax:

A November survey by Public Policy Polling found that Bush, 59, earned the support of 28 percent of the 624 Florida Republicans who participated, while Rubio, 41, received 22 percent.

It also found that both are eminently likeable. Rubio was viewed favorably by 88 percent of Florida Republicans, while Bush had an 85 percent favorable rating.

Earlier this month, The Tampa Bay Times conducted a Florida Insider Poll… [that] found 62 percent expect Bush will run in 2016, while 55 percent doubt Rubio will put his hat in the ring. Asked who would be the stronger candidate, a whopping 81 percent said Bush.

RELATED

Rubio wins first straw poll of 2016 presidential race and Newt’s praise

Rubio talks de facto amnesty on ‘The Mark Levin Show’

Rubio grills Clinton: An early 2016 face-off?

 

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.
Tom Tillison

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Comments are closed.

Latest Articles