The Republicans must be stopped (especially Marco Rubio)

[oberliner]

This is such an important elections and the Republicans are particularly awful this year. In fact, even the most so-called moderate contenders are to the right of John McCain and Mitt Romney on every important issue. As Democrats, we must ensure that the White House remains out of Republican hands. This year, especially, when they are putting up such extreme candidates. The RW-ers have a tendency to repeat the lie that America is a center-right nation. It is critical that we prove them wrong.

A few important tidbits about the new darling of the Republican establishment, Marco Rubio (whom I am most worried about at this point).

1. He wants to significant increase military defense spending and cut social programs.

2. He does not believe human activity has any impact on climate change.

3. He wants to repeal the ACA and go back to the old system.

4. He is actively opposed to net neutrality.

5. He is against same-sex marriage and thinks gay couples can be legally refused service by wedding photographers and the like.

6. He wants to cut the corporate tax rate to 25 percent.

7. He wants to scrap the Iran deal.

8. He supports a permanent US military presence in Iraq.

And this is the supposed reasonable one? Putting aside all the silly stuff (he has a canned speech, he has financial problems, he misses a ton of votes), these policy positions are disastrous for everyone other than the super rich and the military industrial complex.

I urge all DUers to gear up for the big fight that will begin once we have settled on our nominee. We cannot under any circumstance allow this man (Marco Rubio) to become president.

[CanonRay]

1. All correct. And Cruz is even worse.

And Trump? Sweet Jesus on a pony. We cannot let any of these nincompoops get in.

[oberliner]

4. Trump and Cruz are worse, but I don't fear them as much as I fear Rubio

Rubio is able to sound like a reasonable candidate in a way that Trump and Cruz can't

[SamKnause]

2. Cruz is much scarier.

The plans him and his father have for this country are terrifying.

[oberliner]

3. True - but I don't think he has a prayer

Pun intended.

Rubio is the one who I really think could pose a challenge.

[SamKnause]

5. They are all disgusting troglodytes.

The world would be a better place if they all magically

disappeared into thin air.

It is like they are from another planet.

[procon]

6. And then there's his vision of the new American theocracy...

In Iowa he promised evangelical voters that he will defy the Constitution in favor of Christianity. "And when I'm president, I can tell you this, my faith will not just influence the way I'll govern as president, it will influence the way I live my life. Because in the end, my goal is not simply to live on this Earth for 80 years but to live an eternity with my creator. I will always allow my faith to influence everything I do."

We've already had a dose of presidential religious fervor run amok when GWB revealed that he believed God told him to invade Iraq. We can't survive another Republican trying to force the extremist views of the American Taliban on this country.

[oberliner]

7. It would be great to have a non-religious person as our president

Or at least one who is a bit more secular.

[procon]

8. Oh, you're such a dreamer.

Yes, it would, but I'd settle for someone who would just say that to each their own, and whatever they might or might not believe was a private and personal matter and not up for public discussion. It's just a pipedream as long as the lucrative business of religious zealotry remains profitably fashionable.

[napkinz]

9. K&R

[B Calm]

10. You forgot how lazy he is.

[oberliner]

11. I'm glad a guy like him is skipping votes

I would encourage his other Republican counterparts to do the same.