Florida Senate Candidate Marco Rubio Speaks Spanish To Win Votes, But Espouses English-Only Policies
Florida Senate Candidate Marco Rubio Speaks Spanish To Win Votes, But Espouses English-Only Policies
Marco Rubio, who recently announced that he will run for Mel Martinez’s Senate seat in Florida, came out yesterday in favor of making English the official language of the United States, randomly pointing out that his name is spelled the same way in both Spanish and English.
Rubio’s new position echoes a recent MSNBC report which discussed the recent “revival” of the controversial pro-English movement which some say is motivated by anti-immigrant sentiment and reeks of “self defeating” “simple racism.” Rubio’s hard-line immigration position has helped win him the support of right-wing Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) who called Rubio “a real diamond in our own back yard.” Meanwhile, Miami blogger Kyle Munzenrieder pointed out that Rubio must be hoping to “appeal to Florida’s Hispanic voters simply because he is Hispanic,” as his positions are not in line with the interests of the Hispanic and immigrant communities.
Yet while Marco Rubio supports English-only legislation, he’s still willing to talk about his campaign in both languages. Watch it:
Munzenrieder reminds readers that Rubio has also been accused of sending English- and Spanish-speaking voters conflicting messages:
“Great Marco, just about everyone names is spelled the same in English in Spanish. Good for you. We just wish your politics were the same in both languages. Unfortunately, what you say to your English-speaking supporters isn’t always what you say to your Spanish-speaking supporters.”
Munzenrieder is referring to critics who have accused Rubio of resorting to “hateful fear-mongering” when discussing the Obama administration in Spanish and taking a more “neutral” tone in English. Chances are Rubio probably hasn’t mentioned his pro-English position nor Demint’s endorsement to the Spanish-language media.
4 Responses to “Florida Senate Candidate Marco Rubio Speaks Spanish To Win Votes, But Espouses English-Only Policies”
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Oh, the hypocrisy! It reminds me how the GOP thought that women will vote for Sarah Palin simply because she is a woman or Mitt Romney having a very anti-immigrant agenda but doing Spanish-language ads in Florida. Thanks TP for keeping it real!
June 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pmMarco Rubio is lives within the Bush Bubble.
Those who dwell within that Bubble have little understanding of what changes have occurred since entering that rarified space.
Rubio’s actions and words are fleshing out this disconnect, but, Florida is a big State with millions of frightened southerners and those who view American through mid 20th century mindsets. Perhaps enough to roll through Charlie in a low-moderate turn-out Primary.
From the perspective of a Democrat I hope the Republican Primary is the most devisive and expensive in history.
Rubio is the brightest light in the Democratic arsenal as he can truly effect our prospects for second Democratic Senator from Florida by winning the Republican Primary.
That would be nice.
June 18th, 2009 at 9:40 amAh, a “vendido”
June 18th, 2009 at 12:09 pmOH PLEASE,MARCO ONLY SAID HE THINK’S THAT ENGLISH SHOULD BE THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE THAT DOSENT MEAN HE CANT SPEAK SPANISH AND HE NEVER SAID HISPANICS SHOULD NOT EITHER! IM CUBAN AND THIS IS AMERICA WHARE WE SPEAK ONE OFFICAL LANGUAGE AND THATS ENGLISH BUT I CAN SPEAK SPANISH WHEN EVER I WANT! IF I NEVER LEARNED ENGLISH OR SPEAK IT WELL I WOULD NEVER GET AHEAD. I TEACH BOTH LANGUAGE’S TO MY KID’S AND THEY WILL BENIFIT FROM IT!HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF LIVED IN A LATAN COUNTRY AND AMERICANS CAME THIER IN LARGE #”s AND THEY SAID ENGLISH SHOULD BE THE FIRST LANGUAGE,YOU WOULD NOT LIKE IT? NO YOU WOULD NOT! SO DONT BE SO HIPOCRITICAL!! THIS MAN CAN BE THE FIRST HISPANIC PRESIDENT IN 2012! “VIVA MARCO RUBIO!” OR SHOULD I SAY “GO MARCO RUBIO!”
June 19th, 2009 at 6:27 pm