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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRubio stumbles, falls, keeps digging
Another certifiable nut job, and he proves it daily.
Posted with permission.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/rubio-stumbles-falls-keeps-digging
Rubio stumbles, falls, keeps digging
05/15/14 09:57 AM
By Steve Benen
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is hardly the only prominent Republican whos struggling when it comes to climate science. As Jill Lawrence explained well, The 2016 Republican presidential primaries are already showing signs of turning into a competition to win the title of candidate most dismissive of science. As a political strategy, this is as depressing as it is understandable.
But Rubio nevertheless seems to be struggling more than most.
In an interview with Sean Hannity on Wednesday afternoon, the Florida senator brushed off a backlash labeling him as a climate-change denier by aggressively accusing left-leaning critics as hypocrites given their abortion rights positions. He said emphatically that the science is settled that life begins at conception but that liberals will never admit to it.
Rubio, apparently feeling a bit defense, launched quite a diatribe on the Fox News hosts radio show. Let me give you a bit of settled science that theyll never admit to. The science is settled, its not even a consensus, it is a unanimity, that human life begins at conception, the Florida Republican said. So I hope the next time someone wags their finger about science, theyll ask one of these leaders on the left: Do you agree with the consensus of science that human life begins at conception?
Rubio added, Its a proven fact. Thats a scientific consensus they choose to ignore.
The argument from the senator seems to be that liberals often support abortion rights, so hes justified in rejecting climate science.
In other words, Rubio is looking to rationalize his decision to deliberately ignore overwhelming evidence and the scientific consensus. That is itself an ignoble pursuit willful ignorance rarely leads to positive results but in this case, its especially problematic. Indeed, Chris Hayes labeled it a train wreck of incoherence.
Note, the GOP senator isnt denying the fact that he chooses to reject the scientific consensus on climate change. Rather, Rubio is saying his critics are guilty of hypocrisy if the left can deny abortion science, he shouldnt face criticism for ignoring climate science.
Whether Rubio is prepared to accept this or not, the comparison really doesnt make much sense. There is no scientific unanimity that human life begins at conception. It is, to be sure, a complex, multi-disciplinary question, but to assume that the entire scientific canon endorses Rubios line on abortion is absurd.
Whats more, this attempt to change the subject is clumsy, even for him. Rubio embraced the climate denier line on Sunday, then made things worse with an attempted clarification, and then effectively ended up with, Oh yeah? Abortion!
Theres been a fair amount of commentary this week that Rubio has disqualified himself for the presidency with his hostility for science. With each passing day, he seems to be making matters worse.
lpbk2713
(42,757 posts)He's such a big lummox.
babylonsister
(171,059 posts)I so remember him changing his stories with the political wind, but Rubio has him beat by a mile in the crazy department. He rarely makes sense.
KaryninMiami
(3,073 posts)Somewhere between lummox and schmuck. I hope he runs because he promised if he does, he will not run for senate again. Would be so nice to have him out of the Senate and FL politics (along with Rick Scott) and he hasn't a prayer of winning.
elias49
(4,259 posts)longship
(40,416 posts)Whatta ya think about that Mr. Rubio?
babylonsister
(171,059 posts)bless his heart, he gets all confused and shit.
Bless his little heart anyway LOL