Marco Rubio Brings Auditorium to Its Feet: ‘We Don’t Need a New Idea…The Idea Is Called America, and It Still Works’

Florida Senator Marco Rubio brought the house down at CPAC Thursday with a pronouncement that, while popular with the crowd, is sure to give Republican consultants looking to revamp the party headaches.

“Now, as soon as I’m done speaking, I’ll tell you what the criticism on the Left is gonna be. Number one, that he drank too much water,” Rubio said to laughter. “Number two, that he didn’t offer new ideas, and there’s the fallacy of it. We don’t a new idea. There is an idea. The idea is called America, and it still works.”

Applause thundered in response.

Ironically, neither complaint about Rubio’s speech was accurate. He only drank water at one point during the speech, for about a second (and made a joke of it), and did offer new ideas. Specifically, Rubio singled out the topic of student loans for arguments about how conservatives needed to take the issue on, citing his own experience with student loans, and suggested that better cost benefit analysis tools for students looking to attend college would help.

“You should be very concerned about student loan debt. It is the next big bubble in America. I know something about it. I graduated with over $100,000 in student loans, and I paid it off last year with the proceeds from my book, which is available on Amazon for $12.99,” Rubio joked. “Let me tell you who that really hurts. Student loans, you know who that really hurts? It hurts the middle class. Because many of their parents make just a little too much to qualify for grants, and so they have to rely on these student loans, and we have to start solving that problem.”

He went on: “There are all sorts of innovative ideas, whether it’s self-directed learning, whether it’s empowering people with more information so they know how much they can expect to make if they graduate with a certain degree, how much they can expect to owe. Whatever it may be, we have to tackle this issue. It is a major problem for our future and a major problem for the American middle class.”

Rubio also changed tack subtly on the issue of gay marriage, endorsing a Federalist approach, whereas in the past he had stood behind the one-size-fits-all federal policy embodied by the Defense of Marriage Act. As such, while his dig at the necessity of “new ideas” might have been powerful, Rubio actually sold himself short. He did have new ideas, and to the extent that anyone denies that, they arguably ignore the substance of his speech.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (74)

  • Verceofreason
    Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:42am

    We dun need no steeeeeekin leaches!

    Report this comment

    Verceofreason  
  • AmericaMustBeFree
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 10:02pm

    OMG is he using a teleprompter??? I wanna know why he stood with Rand Paul on the Hagel thing and then voted for Hagel??

    Report this comment

    AmericaMustBeFree  
    • Brettfan
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 1:42am

      Rand voted the confirm Hagel and Marco did not vote in favor of Hagel.. If you mean Brennan, Marco got the answer he wanted on drones so voted to confirm him, but Rand still did not.

      Report this comment

      Brettfan  
    • Brettfan
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 1:51am

      Marco is a good man. He gave a rousing speech. It was interesting to see him followed by Rand Paul. Both are good in their own ways. You can see the difference when they speak. Marco was defending traditional American values and his views on social issues in his speech. But Rand Paul was defending, a little bit, the libertarian concept of not imposing social morality on others and letting them be. Both are good and the left will come swinging at both. But both have their own views which may not dovetail 100 percent.

      Report this comment

      Brettfan  
  • YOURSENSEI
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 9:59pm

    This is what you must know:

    Wow, brought them to their feet did he? Talk about setting the bar low. These CPAC drones jump to their feet the way the pizza-faced teens do in the audience of American Idol. They are programmed that way, as are conservatives.

    iIt is so.

    YOURSENSEI  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 10:37pm

      I’d bet Barry has an 100% approval rating among those “pizza-faced teens” in the audience of American Idol.

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 9:03pm

    Rubio = amnesty. Don’t forget that.

    Report this comment

    GoodStuff  
  • whytnryt
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 8:50pm

    Yeah, been there done that!

    Report this comment

    whytnryt  
  • Mik_The_Truth_Blazer
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 8:18pm

    Amen Brother!!!

    Report this comment

    Mik_The_Truth_Blazer  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:15pm

    Rubio is not the Conservative he is being made to appear. He is my senator and I supported his run for office. I have written to him on several occasions. The replies I have gotten back have shocked me. I wish I had kept the letters, I’d post everyone of them.

    Report this comment

    Southernsoul  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:31pm

      I’m tired of people who know how to talk the talk, but never walk the walk. Rubio is McCain Jr..

      Report this comment

      The_Jerk  
    • ConscienceCit
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:36pm

      I’ve written Rubio both direct on his web site and using popvox to let him know when I oppose or support bills as they are presented (WHICH I APPRECIATE) and have always received a response. I would say aobut 90% were exactly what I had hoped for. No rep will always be 100%!

      Report this comment

      ConscienceCit  
    • Miami
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:38pm

      Really

      I guess the guy I’ve know for years is not the guy I thought he was, I’ll take your word and some letters you say he sent you but don’t have. Are you for real…? .

      Report this comment

      Miami  
    • Miami
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:40pm

      The_Jerk

      How so?

      Report this comment

      Miami  
  • Miami
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:57pm

    As a Cuban born American we tend to see things far to many Americans ignore. Lacking the lessons of loss, loss of a nation to Marxism and a strong man dictator. Much due to American Progressive meddling, in support of Fidel Castro through the 50′s with the adoration of Time Magazine and secret Marxist ( You know the ones Liberals said weren’t here ) It’s funny that all the same language has returned, from the Bugwazi and it wont belong before they start calling the 1%, Aristocrats

    Report this comment

    Miami  
  • civilwarcometh
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:23pm

    Tell me the difference between Geraldo Rivera and Marko Rubio.. Bet you can’t…..

    Report this comment

    civilwarcometh  
    • Miami
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:41pm

      You might want to learn his name MARCO Rubio

      For one,

      Marco is a Cuban descendent

      Geraldo Rivera is of Porto Rican descent

      Secondly

      Marco has always been a Conservative, brought up in the understanding of Marxism ( Castro )

      Geraldo has always been a Liberal Progressive, maybe even a revolutionary, constantly siding with those ideals.

      Thirdly

      I’d say the age

      Marco being in his early 40′s

      Geraldo is near 70

      Report this comment

      Miami  
    • civilwarcometh
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:49pm

      All i can say to that is>>>> LOL LOL LOL!!!!!!!!

      Report this comment

      civilwarcometh  
    • bravjim
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:50pm

      Yeah, Rubio comes from a cuban family, is good looking, intelligent, and conservative.

      Report this comment

      bravjim  
    • SidneyDave
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 9:14pm

      One believes in socialism, the other believes in capitalism.

      Report this comment

      SidneyDave  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:43am

      Porto? Rico. HA HA.

      Report this comment

      Verceofreason  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:04pm

    Don’t tell me this is another one of those, salute the veterans, defend Islam, free college for high-panicks, gay marriage is up to the states instead of the 1st amendment that defends the establishment of religion from redefinition by the state?

    You are absolutely right Mr. Rubio, we don’t need new ideas in America, do we? Work through college you might find out you don’t need it?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
    • Paradigmm
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 11:06am

      “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

      How does the Constitution protect the establishment of religion when it quite directly prohibits it?

      Report this comment

      Paradigmm  
  • ares338
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:58pm

    Immigration will be the same with Rubio as Obama.

    Report this comment

    ares338  
    • civilwarcometh
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:20pm

      Exactly. He is a Latino first and then for gay marriage. Nothing American about Rubio. Tired of these people talking like they know what America is and has no idea….. His heritage comes before his country. Bet he thinks he’s a Cuban- American and not just an American…

      Report this comment

      civilwarcometh  
    • Duke One
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:08pm

      Paul wants immigration reform too ! HYPOCRITES ! Paul also voted for Hagel and Kerry. I guess you can just stay home bc there is no such thing as a perfect candidate.

      Report this comment

      Duke One  
  • glckgrl
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:46pm

    Hey Monk, I think a few obumudronefools are reading the Blaze before they leave for the day. Have a good night.

    Report this comment

    glckgrl  
  • NILAP
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:30pm

    The US Constitution belongs with the Bible after Revelations and with the Koran. It is a Revelation from the Creator through the imperfect Founders of America. It abrogates all other forms of government and of course Shia law. It will be the foundation of a small government world government where socialism will be practiced by humanity NOT through government force or laws but because of individual choice of each citizen of the world. Humanity will have found that bridge to Heaven, they will know the Creator by direct experience not faith. With this experience they will live more like Jesus by choice. Heaven will come to Earth via science. God blessed us with science and through scientific discovery which God inspires Heaven and Earth will be brought closer together.

    Report this comment

    NILAP  
    • bravjim
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:01pm

      Sorry, Nilap, but the Constitution does not belong with the Bible, and here is why. In the Constitution, they were forced to compromise. A better description would be to say that the Declaration of Independence belongs as part of the Bible. The spirit of 76 was a spirit founded in the laws of nature, or divine law, upon the principles that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their creator with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In order to form a new federal government that would unite the thirteen colonies and allow for new states, they wrote the Constitution and founded the government based upon limited principles; they had to add the Bill of Rights to ensure that the rights most prescient in their minds due to the recent violations the British had made against their rights were protected. It is the best written in the world, even today, even with mistakes that have been made in the amendment process, and the Progressive agenda to try and change it. But in order to get it ratified in the first place, they had to compromise, allowing for slavery to continue, in order to get enough of the states to ratify it.

      It is safe to say that the spirit of 76 was the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and is the same Spirit that resides in believers, leading them to truth, righteousness, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, love, nobility, honor and integrity. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.

      Report this comment

      bravjim  
  • TheIggies
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:30pm

    This guy is definitely a progressive republican. Can’t wait till he’s trounced in the 2016 presidential election :)

    You guys don’t REALLY think the GOP is going to EVER let someone who you’d all approve of be on the ticket, do you?

    Report this comment

    TheIggies  
    • glckgrl
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:38pm

      You sound threatened — truth hurts, doesn’t it? Rubio tells the truth and your famous dictator lies and brags about his drug use. Go troll somewhere else.

      The Tea Party is alive and well!

      Report this comment

      glckgrl  
    • Miami
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:14pm

      Funny you use a horse’s head, you should use a horse’s a$$

      Progressive..? You really don’t understand the meaning of that word.

      Progressives want to go toward a totalitarian Marxist/Socialist Fictitious Utopia.

      Marco like I, understand that lie first hand with the loss of Cuba to that ideology. The last thing Marco is, is a Progressive.

      Report this comment

      Miami  
    • YOURSENSEI
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 9:56pm

      Mr or Ms GLCKGRL,

      This is what you must know:

      Truth. Truth. Yes, that’s important, isn’t it? Yes, I think so. And yes, Senor Rubio is a truth teller extraordinaire. Well, except for that time when he said his parents came to America to escape the evil clutches of Castro when in fact they came to Florida years before the revolution. So yeah, he’s a paragon of virtue when he isn’t pimping out his family’s heritage for cheap political gain.

      That hurt? Just a little? Make you thirsty?

      It is so

      Report this comment

      YOURSENSEI  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 10:10pm

      Picking on girls again WangDang?

      Isn’t it
      Isn’t it just
      Isn’t it just like
      Isn’t it just like a Wanger

      Report this comment

      The-Monk  
  • GuruMeditation
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:25pm

    Amen to that!

    Report this comment

    GuruMeditation  
  • truthnstuff
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:17pm

    Rubio is a closet RINO. He votes against liberty and constitutional freedom most of the time. All he has are the talking points, much like the Dems, probably trained by Rove, and will waffle and pander to any group he is told to reach out to. If this Romney/McCain clone is forced on us, more conservatives will vote non-GOP. All one has to do is try to match his record and actions against his “speak”.

    Report this comment

    truthnstuff  
    • glckgrl
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:41pm

      Nobody who has any clue about our constitution would type the drivel that you did, wasting our time in reading your bullcrap. Please troll where you are wanted, drone, in some atheistic drug blog. We love God, USA and our constitution here. Truth lives here. Your screen name is hypocrisy personified; scram, you rat!

      Report this comment

      glckgrl  
    • glckgrl
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:43pm

      You have no clue–have you even read his book? I have; you’re clueless.

      Report this comment

      glckgrl  
    • Mortyscastle
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:59pm

      Rand Paul 2016. Better yet NOW!!! Impeach, impeach, impeach……

      Report this comment

      Mortyscastle  
    • truthnstuff
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:20pm

      glckgrl, it is low information voters like you who have no clue. You simply parrot what the RINO says. I said look at his voting record. He also agrees that we need to have some gun restrictions. Drivel, drivel? How about you trying to to so something besides simply parroting. If you simply believe what someone says, then I guess you also voted for 0bama. Go troll on the Huff-Po and stop campaigning for a RINO so we loose another election.

      Report this comment

      truthnstuff  
    • bravjim
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:10pm

      If he were trained by Rove, he wouldn’t have the talking points that he does, and Rove wouldn’t be going after him. His voting record may not be perfect, in your view, but no one is everything that I want either. I think he makes an outstanding choice as a VP candidate for the future president Rand Paul.

      Report this comment

      bravjim  
    • Duke One
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:12pm

      So is Rand Paul then ! He voted for Hagel and Kerry and agrees with Marco Rubio on immigration reform. Ba ha ha ha !!!

      Report this comment

      Duke One  
    • Duke One
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:20pm

      So is Rand Paul then ! As I said before, he voted for Hagel and Kerry and agrees with Marco Rubio on immigration. Stop listening to the Blaze who keeps pushing Paul over Rubio and do your own research !

      Report this comment

      Duke One  
  • The_Cabrito_Goat
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:15pm

    Brevity is the soul of wit.

    Too bad he’s a progressive.

    Report this comment

    The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • Miami
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 7:17pm

      Progressive..? You really don’t understand the meaning of that word.

      Progressives want to go toward a totalitarian Marxist/Socialist Fictitious Utopia.

      Marco like I, understand that lie first hand with the loss of Cuba to that ideology. The last thing Marco is, is a Progressive

      Report this comment

      Miami  
  • SciPro
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:03pm

    Hmmm … Marco Rubio .. still not sure of you just yet … waiting for more …

    Report this comment

    SciPro  
    • justangry
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:23pm

      He’s another with a sorry voting record. If he said, that he was wrong and worked to correct it then maybe I could get behind him. I mean he stood up with Rand, but voted for the NDAA in the first place. And that’s really the issue. With an unwinnable war on a tactic and declaring the US a battlefield, combined with the war powers act, he essentially is allowing a Bolshevik a soft form of martial law already.

      Report this comment

      justangry  
    • truthnstuff
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:31pm

      He also voted for bigger government and never worked to cut government.

      Report this comment

      truthnstuff  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:56pm

      He MUST stop hanging out with McCain and Graham . .he needs to quit the gang of eight .. and join the likes of Ted Cruz and Rand Paul .. and yes I sent him an email last week after McCain and Graham went out on the floor of the Senate and called out Republican Senators by name .. even though McCain only eluded to Rubio saying “including someone I have a close working relationship with” .. I knew INSTANTLY he was talking about Marco. Rubio is my Senator .. and I have seen him in person numerous times .. he is a very good speaker and I think COULD have a bright future .. if he doesn’t get dragged down by the RINO’s. Believe me .. I have seen McCain and Rubio in person .. and Marco is heads above McCain (some of the times were before Marco went to D.C. he needs to not let himself be tainted by the RINO’s.)

      Report this comment

      CatB  
    • OldSurfRat
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:35pm

      JustAngery

      It would appear that we have more in common then I first thought.

      Through out history adversaries came together to beat the greater evil (the enemy of my enemy is my friend). Of course the relationships were short lived after the evil had been removed or at least beaten back.
      We really need to be open to joint ventures between groups or the greater evil will win.
      We will never agree 100% of the time but we all agree that we hate what is happening to our country and it’s traditions.

      I’m with you on the elite class that has become royalty instead of public servants and should be removed, shamed and prosecuted if warranted.

      So with that said let me concede victory to you for today.

      Report this comment

      OldSurfRat  
  • showmerancher
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:02pm

    Sorry Rubio, the last time America worked with some semblance of reality was under Reagan. Republican RINOs have done as much, or perhaps more with their propensity for capitulation to the Democrats than the Democrats have in destroying this once great nation. If you can’t at least own up to that, then there’s certainly no use going forward. The Republican Party is a dead party; let it lie. We need to start from scratch with a new party altogether, with completely new leadership, and RINOs can retire home to their families… they aren’t needed and especially not wanted. Good bye.

    Fend for yourselves in 2014. If a candidate has an “R” next to his/her name, they’ll certainly not get my vote; if they’re throwing in with Republicans, they’ve already lost my trust.

    Report this comment

    showmerancher  
    • Duke One
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:24pm

      Sorry Showme, Paul is also a Rino ! He voted for Hagel and Kerry and agrees with Rubio on immigration reform.

      Report this comment

      Duke One  
  • RoDogg
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:00pm

    Figuring out student loans for a broken education system is pointless IMO.

    The only thing I want to hear from anyone should be about cutting the government in HALF.

    anything else is blowing smoke.

    Report this comment

    RoDogg  
  • zoro51
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 4:59pm

    SOCIALIZM IS NOT AMERICAN impeach obama FIRE THE LEFTIST DEMS NOW america IS the land of oppertunity where ANYONE can make them selves a millionaire or more.. not be regulated by a NON AMERICAN BORN FAKE PRESIDENT whose hell bent on DICTATORSHIP who hates the constitution n shows it.. FIRE OBAMA NOW end the RAPING OF AMERICA BY THE LEFT

    Report this comment

    zoro51  
    • TheIggies
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:28pm

      Let me guess: you’re a millionaire, right?

      Lol. You morons actually believe this load of lies, that’s the problem. Capitalism cannot WORK unless you have a middle and lower class. Capitalism FAILS unless you have people to clean the toilets and scrub the floors. Millionaires cleaning their own homes or picking their own food? Pshaw. They have illegal immigrants to exploit for that.

      Report this comment

      TheIggies  
    • glckgrl
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:42pm

      Amen, Zoro!

      Report this comment

      glckgrl  
    • Mortyscastle
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:02pm

      Rand Paul 2016; wait, NOW!!! Impeach NOW!!!!

      Report this comment

      Mortyscastle  
    • Trance
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 6:21pm

      TheIggies
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:28pm

      Let me guess: you’re a millionaire, right?

      Lol. You morons actually believe this load of lies, that’s the problem. Capitalism cannot WORK unless you have a middle and lower class. Capitalism FAILS unless you have people to clean the toilets and scrub the floors. Millionaires cleaning their own homes or picking their own food? Pshaw. They have illegal immigrants to exploit for that.
      —————-

      I believe anyone can become a millionaire because it’s true. I met my wife more than 20 years ago when we were both cleaning toilets and scrubbing floors. And she was a new immigrant at that time. But what kind of fool would do that for more than a few years? (I did it for 3 years while going to school in my early 20s) I have a high school education, and while I am not yet a millionaire, I am well on my way. Barring some very bad luck (and I’ve had my share), I will easily be a millionaire by the time I am ready to retire.

      If you were my worst enemy, I would want you to believe that it is impossible to succeed. That no matter how hard you work, the man wants to keep you down. Well, the truth is the man doesn’t give a crap about you. And why should he? You can live your life any way you wish, but if you want to sit around and complain that you can’t do something, you only have yourself to blame.

      Report this comment

      Trance  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 4:59pm

    It’s very telling that Rubio (very conspicuously) made no mention of his instant amnesty plan in this speech – maybe he has been taking “transparency” lessons from the White House(?). Rubio has been pushing his destructive amnesty plan incessantly over the past month or so, and yet, when he stands in front of a conservative audience, he is afraid to reveal his true positions. Rubio is an opportunist and a charlatan – he cannot be trusted.

    Report this comment

    eat-more-bacon-USA  
    • Duke One
      Posted on March 15, 2013 at 12:28pm

      Too bad for you that Paul agrees with Rubio on immigration reform.

      Report this comment

      Duke One  
  • txannie
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 4:59pm

    The sad fact is that it is taking sons and daughters of families that had to flee from marxist socialist fascist countries that are the ones having to remind Americans that we are already the best system in the world WITHOUT fundamentally changing anything like obaba and his minions are trying to do. These families lost everything when thier countries were taken by liberal marxist socialists like che, lenin, mao etc. They are not hero’s, they are monsters doing nothing but what is the best way to the top for them, taking what they want from anyone they want no matter who it hurts. Unfortunately, most of liberals in America today have a false view of these people in our new revisionist history. These are the people fienstien, obaba, ginsberg-bader hold up as good leadership. There is a special level of heck for the likes of them.

    Report this comment

    txannie  
    • spirited
      Posted on March 14, 2013 at 5:58pm

      Say it again -amen.

      All these public whiners about “change” this and that
      and what Americans want and need,
      need to answer one question: If this country is soooo bad, how did they get where they are?

      >Undo the nonsense already.

      Report this comment

      spirited  
  • UncleDave
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 4:57pm

    Rubio for President in 2016.

    Report this comment

    UncleDave  
  • BKing15
    Posted on March 14, 2013 at 4:54pm

    worst article i have seen written on the blaze in a while… hating on rubio for no reason. first off.. he has stated multiple times in the past that he supports individual states defining marriage… also he drank water multiple times… idk why you would say he only drank water once…. it is almost like you wanted to smear him and call him a liar while he was trying to point out media hypocrisy.

    Report this comment

    BKing15  

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