Barack Obama and Marco Rubio: Twins Seperated at Birth!

[Anna Komnene]

Has anyone else noticed that Marco Rubio is basically the Republican/Conservative version of President Obama in nearly every possible way?

Rubio: 9 years in the Florida State House of Reps, currently two years in US Senate, Serves on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, JD from University of Miami, Charismatic speaker that energizes youth and the base, Second generation American with ethnic roots and interesting family story, Important RNC speech, Would be 45 years old at the time for first inauguration, Has written a book.

Obama: 8 years in the Illinois State Senate, 4 years in the US Senate, Served on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, JD from Harvard University, Charismatic speaker that energizes youth and the base, Second generation American with ethnic roots and interesting family story, Keynote DNC convention speech, 47 years old at the time of first inauguration, Bestselling Author.

Obviously, their politics are very different and there are a few differences in background, but it's crazy how similar their political and family backgrounds are!  Personally, I think it would be ironic if the Republicans nominated Rubio after relentlessly criticizing Obama's experience and background for 6 years, but who knows?

Are these similarities a good or bad thing for Rubio in the Republican primary?  In the general?  What do you guys think?

*Edited ages:  Thank you Mr. Morden.*

[Mr. Morden]

Would be 44 years old at the time for first inauguration, Has written a book.

Obama: 8 years in the Illinois State Senate, 4 years in the US Senate, Served on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, JD from Harvard University, Charismatic speaker that energizes youth and the base, Second generation American with ethnic roots and interesting family story, Keynote DNC convention speech, 46 years old at the time of first inauguration, Bestselling Author.

You're off by one year on their ages.  Obama was 47 at the time of his inauguration, and Rubio would be 45 on Jan. 20, 2017.

In any case, with regard to your question about experience, this is just the way politics works, at least in the current, primary-driven era, with "celebrity" as political currency.  Not to say that Obama, Rubio, and others like them don't also have substance.  Just that substance alone isn't enough.

And Rubio is hardly alone on the GOP side in terms of getting all this presidential buzz while only a first term senator.  Paul is also a first term senator.  Christie and Walker are first term governors.  Cruz was just sworn in three months ago, and he's already visiting South Carolina.

[bedstuy]

There are some similarities.  But... Lots of politicians have a law degree (Harvard is a radically different law school than U of Miami, though).  Lots of politicians began in their careers in a state legislature.  Lots of politicians write books.

What I will really quibble with is the idea that Marco Rubio is some kind of inspiring speaker.  His response to the State of the Union was a terrible and I've never heard anything insightful or interesting from him.  Rubio always strikes me as somewhat stupid and uncharismatic.  But that's just me. 

[King]

Marco Rubio is more of the Harold Ford Jr. of the Republican Party than the Barack Obama IMO.

[Mehmentum]

At first I thought this was a thread about some wierd far right conspiracy theory.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

At first I thought this was a thread about some wierd far right conspiracy theory.

Same.  I got really excited

[BluegrassBlueVote]

What's considered to be Rubio's best speech as a politician? He had nice poise at the RNC, but it certainly wasn't anything comparable to Obama's 2004 keynote.

I think Rubio is incredibly overrated at just about everything he's propped up to be, honestly. Obama had the brains and can read a teleprompter like no other.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

What's considered to be Rubio's best speech as a politician? He had nice poise at the RNC, but it certainly wasn't anything comparable to Obama's 2004 keynote.

I think Rubio is incredibly overrated at just about everything he's propped up to be, honestly. Obama had the brains and can read a teleprompter like no other.

I completely agree. The only reason Rubio is getting all his buzz is because he is somewhat of a minority. Republicans believe that if they nominate a GOPer who happens to be somewhat of a minority then all their troubles will be solved.

[memphis]

Evidence that Rubio "inspires the youth?"

[King]

Evidence that Rubio "inspires the youth?"

He knows lyrics to Wiz Khalifa songs.

[Lambsbread]

At first I thought this was a thread about some wierd far right conspiracy theory.

Same.  I got really excited