Why Does The GOP Keep Calling Marco Rubio A Possible VP?

On Friday Marco Rubio will give a speech at the Hispanic Leadership Network conference in Miami, Florida that positions him as the preeminent conservative Latino politician United States of America.

Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich heeded Rubio’s advice and accepted an interview invitation from Univisión, and there has been near incessant speculation of a possible VP slot. In essence, given the current crop of GOP candidates and their less-than-stellar efforts to appeal to Latino voters, it seems as though Rubio is being introduced as a possible solution. This, despite a recent poll that showed quite the contrary and the fact that Rubio consistently shoots down these rumors.

The problem with the current round of VP speculation is the same problem as the last round, the same problem demonstrated by the poll. In short, Marco Rubio has aligned himself so closely with the Tea Party and its anti-immigrant agenda, that it is unlikely that Rubio could draw a significant number of Latino voters.

A few examples of these positions include: his support for SB 1070, his opposition to the DREAM Act, as well as opposition to comprehensive immigration reform, his preference for cutting social programs over raising taxes on the wealthy, and his alliance with the tea party, which recently pegged “Hispanic legislators” as a “problem” in Texas.

So then why does Rubio keep emerging as the du jour vice presidential candidate? Because it’s a lot easier for the Republican establishment to make symbolic efforts to reach out to Latinos — by alluding to including Rubio on a ticket — than actually changing their policies. The fact is that Republican presidential candidates see it is easier to appear to recruit a Latino, rather than alter their abrasive policy positions.

Thus far, Rubio has denied any aspirations beyond his current role in the Senate, but that hasn’t stopped people like Newt Gingrich are reaching out to him. Most recently Gingrich pulled an anti-Romney radio ad  blasting his immigration stance, and agreed to be interviewed by Univisión after engaging with Rubio. Whether or not Rubio is intending to accept the VP nomination, he sure seems to be enjoying the attention.

What would be really impressive from the GOP camp would be to not simply try to be inclusive of one Latino like Rubio in order to engage others. The better way would be to reach out to other Latinos with good policies and better rhetoric, and build a sustainable following that doesn’t require symbolic overtures.