‘Chicago Tribune’ Backs Marco Rubio, But Turns Back On Democrats
Senator Marco Rubio just picked up a major endorsement, but it may not help his dwindling presidential prospects. On February 9, the Chicago Tribune tapped Rubio as their pick for president. But in a move that will shock Democrats, the Tribune refused to back either Democratic candidate.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the 2016 presidential primary race is a minefield. Voters in both parties are disillusioned with government and want a change. But the same gripes that unite voters in both parties also separate them. Republican voters, the Tribune says, want smaller, cheaper government.
Of a Trump or Cruz presidency, the Tribune paints an ugly picture. To explain their refusal to endorse Donald J. Trump, the newspaper turned to former candidate Mitt Romney.
“Mr. Trump is directing our anger for less than noble purposes. He creates scapegoats of Muslims and Mexican immigrants…. He cheers assaults on protesters. He applauds the prospect of twisting the Constitution to limit First Amendment freedom of the press. This is the very brand of anger that has led other nations into the abyss.”
Meanwhile, a maverick attitude, which Ted Cruz touts as his primary selling point, is why the Tribune refuses to endorse him.
Former Governor Jeb Bush dropped out of the race last month. With the traditional candidate gone, Rubio became the GOP establishment’s last hope. But voters have largely rejected Rubio for exactly the reasons identified by the Chicago Tribune. Voters are angry. Blame eight years of gridlock in Congress and an economic recovery few Americans feel. For the Republicans, that means the summary rejection of anyone the establishment approves.
Unfortunately, Marco Rubio is caught in the middle, between the country he hopes he can save, and the voters who want anything but more of the same. The question is, when will Marco Rubio give up the fight?
It might be soon. According to CNN, powerful voices in Rubio’s campaign are urging him to drop out of the race. The situation looks so grim that advisers are urging Rubio to drop out before the primary vote in Florida, Rubio’s home state. Sources told CNN that there’s more at stake for Rubio than the presidency. A major loss in Florida could hurt his political future.
Polls are split on whether Rubio will prevail in Florida. If he drops out, he could live to fight another day, perhaps in 2020. Senator Rubio has until March 15 to make a decision.
It’s a point of view shared by the Tax Foundation. The non-partisan think tank slammed both Democratic candidates’ tax plans. The Chicago Tribune heavily cites the Tax Foundation’s research as the reason they refuse to endorse any Democrat.
But not everyone sees the world the way the Chicago Tribune and the Tax Foundation do. Forbes recently accused the Tax Foundation of poor modeling. According to Forbes, the Tax Foundation uses a model that doesn’t account for how real people spend money. Without accounting for the real-world aspect, all models suggest that high taxes are bad, but low taxes are good. Forbes also noted that the Tax Foundation, which is claiming to be non-partisan, tends to lean right-wing, though Forbes notes that fact doesn’t mean the Tax Foundation is wrong.
[Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images]
