Passing of the Conservative Torch

It took a special invitation from Former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, age 90, to wrest the freshman junior Senator Marco Rubio (R. Florida) from his home state during the August recess, to speak at her husband's, Ronald Wilson Reagan, 40th President of the United States, magnificent library atop a shining hill in Southern California on Tuesday evening past.

Mrs. Reagan doesn't hand out too many special invitations to Senators to speak at her husband's citadel of conservatism on the West Coast in Simi Valley, California. This was special. Senator Rubio knew as much. This was an anointing. This was a passing of the conservative torch from the old guard to the new guard. And we were there with 1,000 other kindred souls to witness this historical moment for conservatism. It was epic!

Marco Rubio spoke with affirmation much like his mentor in kind, "The Great Communicator", Ronald Reagan, about how great this country is. This second generation American of Cuban descent, talked about the magic of America. Only in America where "the worker can become the boss" if he works hard enough. He talked about an America where the role of government is twofold: to encourage and promote prosperity for all its citizens; and, a compassionate America where the less fortunate is provided equal access to the free enterprise system. To his credit, he did not diminish the moment by talking directly about the other side. His message of empowerment of the American people was powerfully delivered with clarity and absent of emotion. His address to all of us in that room and those who watched his speech on YouTube was reminiscent of President Reagan.

Simply, this charismatic young man from Florida is every conservative's dream. Question was asked, will he be a VP candidate in 2012? He said, "No interest. His work is in the Senate." However, everybody in that room thought the same thing: sorry Florida, the country needs your man now. And most thought of the top spot not the VP role. I suspect he too has been feeling that same call to action that we so desperately want. We'll see if he answers the call within the next few months.

All the while, Nancy Reagan sat and smiled knowing that Marco Rubio is the real deal and that there was no better place to have his national coming out party than the Reagan Library.