The Trump Sec of State and National Sec. Advisor Marco Rubio , went before the people he used to work for and came out ‘alright’ while putting some distance between himself and his boss Donald Trump…
This should NOT go un noticed….
JD Vance IS the Vice President…..
Something happens to President Trump….
He gets the Presidency….
Along with that?
JD vance leads the 2028 Republican Presidential list to succeed Trump….
But?
Donald HAS been teasing things with switching Vance and Rubio in first place to people who are listening for Trump’s views ….
All four hearings Rubio testified in this week were nominally about the State Department budget, but ranged far beyond that topic. Rubio’s appearance on Wednesday at the House Foreign Affairs Committee sparked the most fireworks, with Democratic members pushing him to address whether Trump falls asleep in meetings, Trump’s denial of the 2020 election results, outside advisers’ potential conflicts of interest and whether the shoes Trump gifted him fit properly.
The political attacks didn’t rattle the secretary.
“We’re talking about shoes. Are you guys kidding me? I mean, is this the Foreign Affairs Committee, or is this like a circus?” he said, after Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) referenced photos of the shoes being too large as proof that Rubio had a habit of lying to the public.
Charm only carries so far. Rubio gave neither party a satisfying answer on where the increasingly unpopular Iran war is going, and frustration with the administration’s foreign policy crossed the aisle. Winning over Washington is not the same as winning over voters, and tying his profile to a war that could still sour is a gamble as much as a credential. Vance, not Rubio, is still the presumed heir, and Trump has been careful not to anoint anyone.
And of course Rubio didn’t gain traction among Democrats who are frustrated by steep cuts to the State Department, what they see as the administration’s lackluster support for Ukraine and its response to Ebola and other global health challenges.
But they were never Rubio’s intended audience, though he still drew praise from a few of them along the way. If anything, the two days cast him as one of the administration’s most effective messengers at a moment of mounting pressure for Trump and the party.
“He has a rare combination of being a brilliant guy tied with great experience and a great temperament,” said Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), who chairs the House budget subcommittee Rubio testified in front of Tuesday afternoon. “He’s tough but always has a sense of humor when it’s possible.”
Across the two days, Rubio didn’t deflect, as other Cabinet officials have in recent testimony. At some moments, he even praised questions from Democrats, such as one from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), one of his potential 2028 challengers. Murphy had asked him what the administration’s bottom lines are to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as consumers bear rising prices.
“Your question gets right to the heart of the matter,” he told Murphy, before sketching out how the administration is looking first to reopen the strait, then to begin conversations with Iran over its nuclear program.
After another Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), ignored Rubio’s initial efforts to answer her pointed questions and then left the room immediately after her turn, he made light of the moment. Pointing to the door, he said, “Why is she leaving? I’m going to answer her questions.” After she walked out he added, “well thank you for coming.”
Rubio fielded a variety of tough questions on Iran, a preview of what he might have to do on the campaign trail if he runs. He was often detailed and specific, for example expounding on some of the more recent U.S. analysis of the status of Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who he said is alive and weighing in on policy matters….
Note….
JD Vance IS in a Interracial marriage…
Marco Rubio is of Hispanic ethic stock…..
2028 Republican Leaders, eh?..
image..PBS
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