The media is painting Rubio as the savior and frontman in the immigration reform efforts. He is

[mfcorey1]

campaigning harder than anyone else for 2016. However, there is a lot of cleanup he has to do before he can throw his hat in the ring. There is no way rethuglicans are pushing reform from the compassion they don't have.

[cali]

1. We should not underestimate Rubio. He really, really wants to be President

I don't see that he has a lot of clean-up to do before throwing his hat in the ring. I'm not even sure I know what you mean. Rubio is smart, articulate, charismatic, doesn't sound insane, young and latino. He's also a wingnut but he hides it well.

[BlueStater]

3. You can be afraid of him. I won't. He's a hack.

I say this as someone who lives in the asshole's state. Just highlight his record, such as when he voted against relief for Hurricane Sandy victims, and the little turd is fucked.

[cali]

5. assessing someone isn't fear. Underestimating a skilled pol is none too swift.

[BlueStater]

6. I've yet to see these "skills" that you are talking about.

He's never been tested on the national stage and only rode to power by riding the Tea Party gravy train in 2010. If the kind of "skills" he brings to the table are anything like his "brilliant" lie about his family history that was quickly exposed and made him look like the shameless phony he is, I'm not at all concerned.

[RandiFan1290]

7. He also had help from DU and Charlie Crist

Charlie Crist was the 3rd party candidate that split the vote and helped push Rubio in.
The only 3rd party candidate allowed to campaign on DU and trash the Democratic candidate.

[RandiFan1290]

2. How nice of the media to push this noob into our faces.

No one mentions the subtle racism either. Meanwhile Dem. Senators like Al Franken might as well not exist.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Not Ready For Prime Time...

I blame the rushpublican noise machine more than the corporate media for propping up Rubio. To the great unhinged he's their "Hispanic"...proof that they aren't the racist, sexist and selfish bastards they truly are. Rubio may be getting his clown warmed up for 2016 but he's far from ready for anything resembling national office. All he does is provide rushpublicans "cover" for their anti-Hispanic actions. Many Hispanics have already dismissed him...especially Mexicans who have their own issues with Cubans...

[customerserviceguy]

8. The media wants this

and they're willing to use Rubio to get what they want. My prediction is that the Rethug party goes back to where it was when it cheered Mittens uttering the words "self deportation".

[JCMach1]

9. Hate to say it, but Rubio is the 'real' deal

I have had some direct experience with his office recently with an immigration issue. I might also mention that Sen. Bill Nelson's office and even my Congresswoman's office were absolutely useless with these issues.

I have been impressed so far with what he has been able to do. He has one of the best constituent programs I have seen.

He may not be quite ready for primetime, but he is the 'real' deal on the other side... He is also quite serious about immigration reform and not just following the tea party line.