Remember when Donald Trump called the junior senator from Florida “little Marco?” It looks like Marco Rubio has forgotten all the names Trump called him when they were competing for the Republican presidential nomination back in 2016. Or he just doesn’t care. Just like Trump’s former foes Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, Rubio is now looking at Trump through rose-colored glasses.
This week alone Rubio’s Twitter feed seems like it could very well be written by Trump himself. There are conspiracy theories, hints of racism, rambling posts and election lies.
Imagine if NFL team was trailing 24-22 but in final seconds hits a 3 pt kick to win. Then AFTER game lawyers for losing team get a judge to order rules changed so that last second field goals are only 1 point
Well that’s how democrat lawyers plan to steal #Florida election 1/4
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 14, 2018
In the last couple of days, Rubio has decided that he also wanted to become the second biggest political figure in the United States trying to champion nationalism. Friday afternoon he wrote this:
American Nationalism isn’t racial nationalism b/c American isn’t a race.
As Reagan said, unlike other nations, “Anybody from any corner of the world can come to America to live & become an American”
Our identity is belief that all people are created equal,with God given rights
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 16, 2018
He even penned an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal about nationalism titled, “Trump Is Right About Nationalism.” It reads like a love letter to Trump.
It is impossible for a true American nationalism to be devoid of moral values. Because our values are our national identity. A nation of people who believe EVERYONE is created equal & have the God given right to life,liberty & the pursuit of happiness. https://t.co/EuhCuwBBww
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 14, 2018
Rubio’s transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed, even by former supporters. Max Boot, a conservative writer who worked on Rubio’s campaign writes:
I worked on Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign, so I am saddened to see “Little Marco” turning into his tormentor’s mini-me.
But that is the Trump effect: He is pushing otherwise sane Republicans down conspiratorial rabbit holes.
Marco Rubio "has been transformed into Donald Trump's image," argues @MaxBoot. "I thought he was a different kind of Republican, someone who was more principled…and here he is undermining American democracy for petty, partisan reasons." https://t.co/lCz9Jfl2z3 pic.twitter.com/6av6x4G9ke
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) November 15, 2018
Perhaps he is trying to get on Trump’s good side, in hopes of a future cabinet position or maybe vying to replace Mike Pence as Vice President?