Add another to the column who believes that a first term senator is not the answer for the GOP.
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough told radio host Hugh Hewitt Wednesday that he believes Republicans have learned a “terrible lesson” over the past six years from Democrats: Not to nominate a first term senator.
“When Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio meet and square off in the March 15, 2016 in the Florida winner-take-all primary, who wins?” Hewitt asked the former Florida Congressman.
“I think Jeb because he was governor and was fairly popular,” Scarborough said. “I think Jeb ought to do fairly well. That said, you know, Marco took on another governor and he beat him. He beat Charlie Crist.”
“I think there are going to be a lot of Florida voters in the primary, as well as a lot of Republicans nationwide, that look at Jeb’s position on mainly education and wonder whether he’s the conservative they want. You know, Jeb was extraordinarly popular as governor,” Scarborough continued. “It’s just going to be tough for a lot of conservatives to look past his position on education, more so that immigration.”
“So does Marco Rubio have a shot against Jeb Bush?” Hewitt asked the “Morning Joe” co-host.
“I don’t think so. I don’t think so in the state of Florida,” Scarborough opined. “Marco is able…but I really do think that the Republican party has learned from the terrible lesson from Democrats that you just don’t nominate a first term senator.”
“I think Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, and Ted [Cruz] are going to have an uphill battle mainly because of the terrible example set by Barack Obama,” the MSNBC host said. “I think in that situation, tie goes to the governor.”
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