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Rubio's charged but nuanced rhetoric on national security excites GOP voters Rubio's charged but nuanced rhetoric on national security excites GOP voters
(about 2 hours later)
On a blustery afternoon in eastern Iowa, Marco Rubio’s voice grew stern as he sounded a warning one week after deadly terrorist attacks struck Paris.On a blustery afternoon in eastern Iowa, Marco Rubio’s voice grew stern as he sounded a warning one week after deadly terrorist attacks struck Paris.
“We face the rapid spread of radical jihadists,” the Republican presidential candidate told his audience at a town hall held in a hotel just off the interstate “We find ourselves today in clash of civilizations between these radical animals, who believe that anyone who does not share their interpretation of their faith, that they have a God-given obligation to slaughter them.” “We face the rapid spread of radical jihadists,” the Republican presidential candidate told his audience at a town hall held in a hotel just off the interstate. “We find ourselves today in a clash of civilizations between these radical animals, who believe that anyone who does not share their interpretation of their faith, that they have a God-given obligation to slaughter them.”
“It’s a fight between them and the rest of the civilized world.”“It’s a fight between them and the rest of the civilized world.”
Rubio was referring to the Islamic State, the exceptionally brutal terrorist group that claimed responsibility for the assault on Paris that killed 130 people and injured hundreds of others.Rubio was referring to the Islamic State, the exceptionally brutal terrorist group that claimed responsibility for the assault on Paris that killed 130 people and injured hundreds of others.
“They hate us because of our freedoms,” Rubio said. “They hate us because in America, women drive cars. They hate us because in America, little girls are sent to school. That’s why they hate us.”“They hate us because of our freedoms,” Rubio said. “They hate us because in America, women drive cars. They hate us because in America, little girls are sent to school. That’s why they hate us.”
The rhetoric was not entirely new, mirroring a statement the senator issued by video the day after the attack and responses in interviews that followed. But it was an adjustment to his typical stump speech that was reflective of what could be a turning point in the Republican presidential primary – a focus on foreign policy, a central theme of Rubio’s campaign.The rhetoric was not entirely new, mirroring a statement the senator issued by video the day after the attack and responses in interviews that followed. But it was an adjustment to his typical stump speech that was reflective of what could be a turning point in the Republican presidential primary – a focus on foreign policy, a central theme of Rubio’s campaign.
Several voters who attended events across Rubio’s five-day swing through Iowa said they were increasingly concerned about national security.Several voters who attended events across Rubio’s five-day swing through Iowa said they were increasingly concerned about national security.
“The most important thing to me is keeping us safe and it’s a strong part of his message,” said John G, a resident of Glenwood, who added he was “leaning strongly” toward Rubio. ”He’s definitely got the experience, he’s been on the intelligence committee, and foreign policy is definitely a weakness for some of the other candidates at the top of the polls.”“The most important thing to me is keeping us safe and it’s a strong part of his message,” said John G, a resident of Glenwood, who added he was “leaning strongly” toward Rubio. ”He’s definitely got the experience, he’s been on the intelligence committee, and foreign policy is definitely a weakness for some of the other candidates at the top of the polls.”
Rob Mauritz, who attended a Rubio rally in West Des Moines, also cited foreign affairs as a major factor in his selection of a candidate.Rob Mauritz, who attended a Rubio rally in West Des Moines, also cited foreign affairs as a major factor in his selection of a candidate.
“I think he’d be a much better world leader in that same situation that Obama was in last week after Paris,” Mauritz said of Rubio. “I think you’d get much stronger American answers.”“I think he’d be a much better world leader in that same situation that Obama was in last week after Paris,” Mauritz said of Rubio. “I think you’d get much stronger American answers.”
Unlike some of his Republican rivals who until Paris did not emphasize foreign policy on the campaign trail, Rubio’s message to voters has been laced with scathing critiques of the Obama administration’s handling of international relations since day one.Unlike some of his Republican rivals who until Paris did not emphasize foreign policy on the campaign trail, Rubio’s message to voters has been laced with scathing critiques of the Obama administration’s handling of international relations since day one.
He seldom mentions world leaders not considered to be American allies by their names – Kim Jong-un is a “lunatic in North Korea”, Vladimir Putin a “gangster in Moscow”, and Hassan Rouhani a “radical Shia cleric in Iran”. China, Rubio often says, is on the verge of a rapid military expansion that must be countered.He seldom mentions world leaders not considered to be American allies by their names – Kim Jong-un is a “lunatic in North Korea”, Vladimir Putin a “gangster in Moscow”, and Hassan Rouhani a “radical Shia cleric in Iran”. China, Rubio often says, is on the verge of a rapid military expansion that must be countered.
Other staples include a vow to rescind the nuclear accord with Iran, a willingness to refer to the threat posed by terrorists as “radical Islam”, and an unwavering commitment to Israel.Other staples include a vow to rescind the nuclear accord with Iran, a willingness to refer to the threat posed by terrorists as “radical Islam”, and an unwavering commitment to Israel.
Oftentimes these are his biggest applause lines, offering a window into the mindset of Republican primary voters this cycle who have consistently ranked national security as a top priority.Oftentimes these are his biggest applause lines, offering a window into the mindset of Republican primary voters this cycle who have consistently ranked national security as a top priority.
Rubio’s riff on the civilizational clash confronting the western world at the Cedar Rapids town hall was met not with applause but with quiet contemplation. Soon after, one voter seated in the front row voiced his concern.Rubio’s riff on the civilizational clash confronting the western world at the Cedar Rapids town hall was met not with applause but with quiet contemplation. Soon after, one voter seated in the front row voiced his concern.
Language like “war of civilizations”, he said, was a mischaracterization that might “inflame Islamophobia”.Language like “war of civilizations”, he said, was a mischaracterization that might “inflame Islamophobia”.
“It looks like you’re talking about all of Islam around the world, and you’re really only talking about a fanatical splinter group that is obviously quite dangerous,” the man said. “But it’s not a war of civilizations, it’s a war against a particular group.”“It looks like you’re talking about all of Islam around the world, and you’re really only talking about a fanatical splinter group that is obviously quite dangerous,” the man said. “But it’s not a war of civilizations, it’s a war against a particular group.”
“When you use rhetoric like that, then I think people in this culture will tend to become more anti-Islamic in general. And not being willing to welcome [Syrian] refugees … this is turning us in an ugly way that I think is very un-American.”“When you use rhetoric like that, then I think people in this culture will tend to become more anti-Islamic in general. And not being willing to welcome [Syrian] refugees … this is turning us in an ugly way that I think is very un-American.”
Rubio was anything but thrown off guard by the questioning of his tone – he launched instead into a response that, at nearly six minutes, sounded like a condensed speech of its own.Rubio was anything but thrown off guard by the questioning of his tone – he launched instead into a response that, at nearly six minutes, sounded like a condensed speech of its own.
“This is not a geopolitical conflict. This is not a conflict between Isis because they want us out of the Middle East,” Rubio said. “This is a civilizational conflict – not with Islam – with radical Islam, particularly their interpretation of radical Islam.”“This is not a geopolitical conflict. This is not a conflict between Isis because they want us out of the Middle East,” Rubio said. “This is a civilizational conflict – not with Islam – with radical Islam, particularly their interpretation of radical Islam.”
Arab-Muslim leaders, from the Egyptian president to the King of Jordan, had used a similar phrase to define the battle against extremists, he pointed out.Arab-Muslim leaders, from the Egyptian president to the King of Jordan, had used a similar phrase to define the battle against extremists, he pointed out.
“We will need Muslims to defeat Isis – in fact, I believe the only way we can defeat them is for Sunni Muslims to ideologically reject them and militarily to defeat them,” Rubio said. “But we have to be able to say clearly, this is a clash between two very different views.”“We will need Muslims to defeat Isis – in fact, I believe the only way we can defeat them is for Sunni Muslims to ideologically reject them and militarily to defeat them,” Rubio said. “But we have to be able to say clearly, this is a clash between two very different views.”
“This is an apocalyptic view of Islam … I know these things start to sound a little eccentric, but the truth is that is at the fundamental core of this conflict and we must understand it,” he added.“This is an apocalyptic view of Islam … I know these things start to sound a little eccentric, but the truth is that is at the fundamental core of this conflict and we must understand it,” he added.
Rubio also clarified, after initially ruling out allowing more refugees into the US, that “commonsense” rules still apply to groups of people who can be vetted – children, widows, the elderly or a “well-known Chaldean priest”. But he explained his opinion that background checks could not be completed on the majority.Rubio also clarified, after initially ruling out allowing more refugees into the US, that “commonsense” rules still apply to groups of people who can be vetted – children, widows, the elderly or a “well-known Chaldean priest”. But he explained his opinion that background checks could not be completed on the majority.
“You know that there is a radical and capable group that is openly trying to use the refugee crisis as a way to infiltrate fighters into other countries,” Rubio said, as his voice grew emphatic. “How can we ignore that? How irresponsible and reckless is that?”“You know that there is a radical and capable group that is openly trying to use the refugee crisis as a way to infiltrate fighters into other countries,” Rubio said, as his voice grew emphatic. “How can we ignore that? How irresponsible and reckless is that?”
“This is not an anti-Muslim, it is not … radical jihad is a view of civilization that we must reject and defeat for what it is. Either they win, or we do.”“This is not an anti-Muslim, it is not … radical jihad is a view of civilization that we must reject and defeat for what it is. Either they win, or we do.”
The applause that had earlier been missing suddenly erupted within the room.The applause that had earlier been missing suddenly erupted within the room.
Concerns among Americans over national security have already risen in the aftermath of Paris, as Obama’s marks on fighting terrorism have dropped. Rubio, whose foreign policy pitch is ostensibly rooted in “restoring American strength”, moved quickly in the last week to position himself as the most prepared candidate to be the next commander-in-chief.Concerns among Americans over national security have already risen in the aftermath of Paris, as Obama’s marks on fighting terrorism have dropped. Rubio, whose foreign policy pitch is ostensibly rooted in “restoring American strength”, moved quickly in the last week to position himself as the most prepared candidate to be the next commander-in-chief.
On Sunday, his campaign released its first television ad centered on national security and the fight against Isis. Set against a dark backdrop, Rubio again cautions of the “civilizational struggle” in a straight-to-camera appeal.On Sunday, his campaign released its first television ad centered on national security and the fight against Isis. Set against a dark backdrop, Rubio again cautions of the “civilizational struggle” in a straight-to-camera appeal.
“What happened in Paris could happen here,” he says.“What happened in Paris could happen here,” he says.
Although at 44 he is one of the youngest candidates in the race, Rubio has used his positions on the Senate foreign relations committee and select committee on intelligence to distinguish himself from a crowded Republican field of 14 remaining candidates.Although at 44 he is one of the youngest candidates in the race, Rubio has used his positions on the Senate foreign relations committee and select committee on intelligence to distinguish himself from a crowded Republican field of 14 remaining candidates.
“From my perspective, there’s no one running for president that has access to more sensitive information than I do,” Rubio told radio show host Hugh Hewitt last week.“From my perspective, there’s no one running for president that has access to more sensitive information than I do,” Rubio told radio show host Hugh Hewitt last week.
He has also used the moment to underscore his differences with two other first-term senators seeking the Republican nomination – Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who supported major reforms to the National Security Agency’s surveillance methods, of which Rubio is a staunch defender.He has also used the moment to underscore his differences with two other first-term senators seeking the Republican nomination – Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who supported major reforms to the National Security Agency’s surveillance methods, of which Rubio is a staunch defender.
Cruz and Paul, for their part, responded to the tragedy in Paris by pushing various pieces of anti-refugee legislation. Their posture on the question of military intervention has been less hawkish than that of Rubio, who said he was prepared to deploy US ground troops as part of his strategy to combat Isis.Cruz and Paul, for their part, responded to the tragedy in Paris by pushing various pieces of anti-refugee legislation. Their posture on the question of military intervention has been less hawkish than that of Rubio, who said he was prepared to deploy US ground troops as part of his strategy to combat Isis.
“I believe it will require some level of special operators on the ground to subject Isis to high-profile, humiliating defeats,” Rubio told the Guardian in an interview in Iowa, “to sort of reverse this narrative that they’ve created that they are an invincible force.”“I believe it will require some level of special operators on the ground to subject Isis to high-profile, humiliating defeats,” Rubio told the Guardian in an interview in Iowa, “to sort of reverse this narrative that they’ve created that they are an invincible force.”
At another campaign stop in Iowa, he went a step further by suggesting US raids on Isis be filmed and put up on YouTube to reverse their propaganda machine.At another campaign stop in Iowa, he went a step further by suggesting US raids on Isis be filmed and put up on YouTube to reverse their propaganda machine.
“I want the world to see how these Isis leaders cry like babies when they’re captured,” Rubio said. “I want the world to see how these Isis leaders, once captured, begin to sing like canaries if they survive.”“I want the world to see how these Isis leaders cry like babies when they’re captured,” Rubio said. “I want the world to see how these Isis leaders, once captured, begin to sing like canaries if they survive.”
The message of fortitude nonetheless requires a balancing act in a country exhausted by over a decade of war. Rubio declined to specify, when asked by the Guardian, how many US ground forces his strategy might require and maintained that the “bulk of the ground work” would lay with Sunni Arabs in the region.The message of fortitude nonetheless requires a balancing act in a country exhausted by over a decade of war. Rubio declined to specify, when asked by the Guardian, how many US ground forces his strategy might require and maintained that the “bulk of the ground work” would lay with Sunni Arabs in the region.
In a subsequent appearance on Fox News, Rubio emphasized that he was not calling for “a return to Iraq”.In a subsequent appearance on Fox News, Rubio emphasized that he was not calling for “a return to Iraq”.
“We’re not talking about 100,000 or 50,000 armed soldiers, but we are talking about force with specific missions that will have to be embedded, that this president and the United States must put together if we are to defeat Isis on the ground,” Rubio said. “It’s the only way to do it. They have to be defeated by a ground force and have to be made up primarily of Sunnis.”“We’re not talking about 100,000 or 50,000 armed soldiers, but we are talking about force with specific missions that will have to be embedded, that this president and the United States must put together if we are to defeat Isis on the ground,” Rubio said. “It’s the only way to do it. They have to be defeated by a ground force and have to be made up primarily of Sunnis.”
Voters, at least for now, did not appear to be concerned with the specifics so much as an idea that a candidate had a plan to make them feel more safe.Voters, at least for now, did not appear to be concerned with the specifics so much as an idea that a candidate had a plan to make them feel more safe.
Aaron Sewell, a resident of West Des Moines, offered one such example. Naming education as his top issue, he went on to quote from the speech Rubio had delivered moments before: “If we’re not safe and secure here at home, then none of this matters.”Aaron Sewell, a resident of West Des Moines, offered one such example. Naming education as his top issue, he went on to quote from the speech Rubio had delivered moments before: “If we’re not safe and secure here at home, then none of this matters.”
“A lot of that has to do with paying attention to foreign policy, and obviously with the terrorist attacks in Paris it’s come back to the forefront,” Sewell said. “It doesn’t mean sending in ground forces, but it means a candidate is attentive to what’s going on around the world and how much it can affect us if we’re not ready to face these challenges.”“A lot of that has to do with paying attention to foreign policy, and obviously with the terrorist attacks in Paris it’s come back to the forefront,” Sewell said. “It doesn’t mean sending in ground forces, but it means a candidate is attentive to what’s going on around the world and how much it can affect us if we’re not ready to face these challenges.”