When I watched the first GOP debate, I was impressed with Marco Rubio. By far, he looked the most "Presidential" of all the candidates. He had quick, thoughtful answers and was the most "debate ready" of all the candidates. I was also intrigued by the recent endorsements of South Carolina's leading politicians: Governor Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott; both of whom are very popular in my state.
Case For: For the most part, Marco Rubio is a very conservative candidate. He has a strong stance against abortion, stating: "I believe a human being, an unborn child, has a right to live irrespective of the circumstances by which they were conceived." He also said that every executive order President Obama has made in regard to limiting gun rights will be gone on his first day in office, thus demonstrating his strong support for our Second Amendment rights. He has also been deemed the most "electable" candidate. Rubio has a better record of consistency than that of Donald Trump, who has changed his positions many times. He is not as far right as fellow Senator Ted Cruz, which turns off the more liberal Republicans. His campaign claims that he is the candidate who can win in November.
Case Against: Perhaps the greatest complaint the more conservative Republicans have with Marco Rubio is his "liquid" stance on immigration. When he ran for Senate in 2010, he had stated that he strongly opposed amnesty and the legalization of illegal immigrants. He said, "I will never support -never have and never will- any effort to grant blanket, legalization, amnesty to folks who have entered or stayed in this country illegally." In 2013, however, Rubio co-authored the "Gang of Eight" bill that would have created a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants. He denies his reversal of opinion insisting that the bill did not grant "blanket" amnesty because it included fines. He has challenged this criticism with the other GOP candidates during the debates notably calling Ted Cruz a liar when Cruz spoke about his record. This possible rationalization is not something that should be overlooked. It's impossible to know which Rubio we would get should he become President: one against amnesty or one for it.
Summary: Marco Rubio's immigration record aside, he is one of the most conservative candidates running for president. His views on abortion and the Second Amendment should be commended. For these reasons he is my second choice. Whether or not he can win in November is yet to be seen.
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