Skepticism on Rubio's tenacity is warranted - By Jennifer Rubin
Right Turn Opinion
Skepticism on Rubio’s tenacity is warranted
By Jennifer Rubin December 15 at 10:15 AM
-snip- (two paragraphs about Rubio holding out on the tax bill and why)
President Trump played down Rubio’s objections, declaring confidently that in the end Rubio would be with him. On this, the president may be right. Rubio — who capitulated and endorsed Trump, despite his concerns about giving him the nuclear codes and who voted to confirm Rex Tillerson for secretary of state, despite his obvious lack of affinity for human rights — does not have a reputation for tenacity. This was one of the co-authors of the so-called Gang of 8 immigration tax bill — who dropped it like a hot potato when it got to the House and then backpedaled on the issue during the campaign.
Perhaps his announcement resulted from a bruised ego after pro-tax-cut conservatives expressed certitude he wouldn’t hold out over the child tax credit. (Sometimes publicly suggesting that a needed ally is wimp isn’t smart politics.)
The real question now is whether Rubio sticks to his position or takes a crumb, declares victory and falls in line behind leadership. He seemed to already be negotiating against himself when he tweeted: “Adding at least a few hundred $’s in refundable cuts for working families who seem to always be forgotten isn’t hard to do.” (“At least a few”? Don’t let this guy negotiate the purchase of your next car.)
Having raised the issue, Rubio may now be pressed to demand that his original proposal be included. When he originally raised the idea of an expanded child tax credit (CTC), progressives praised him. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explained:
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/12/15/skepticism-on-rubios-tenacity-is-warranted/?utm_term=.b42f948c803e
