The experts say that Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio is the early favorite in the so-called “veepstakes” to be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s running mate in the upcoming presidential election. And that seems to be where most gamblers are putting their money at in Intrade’s online prediction market.
However, according to MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, Romney selecting Rubio would not be a wise decision, despite his demographic and geographic appeal. Scarborough explained Thursday that Rubio wasn’t quite ready for the job.
“I like Marco an awful lot. I think he has a bright future ahead of him,” said Scarborough. “But I’m just going to say it and why not — this is why people watch the show. Let me set myself on fire politically. He’s not ready to be vice president, just like Barack Obama wasn’t ready to be president in 2008, just like Sarah Palin wasn’t ready to on the national ticket in 2008. Marco Rubio is a good guy. He’s got a compelling story and my God, what a great demographic he will speak to on a national ticket someday. But he is not ready to be on a national ticket in 2012.”
And ultimately, if Rubio is forced to the forefront it could hurt him in the long run, Scarborough said.
“I would just warn those who are fans of Marco Rubio who think they are doing him a favor by pushing him center stage right after he’s been elected to the United States Senate: Back off, you’re going to hurt him in the long run,” Scarborough said. “Because he’s not ready to be in the oval office, he’s not ready to be vice president of the United States.”