Marco Rubio’s “I paid for this microphone” moment?

By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

February 23, 1980.

It’s the date when, after a poor performance in Iowa, Ronald Reagan paid for a Nashua Telegraph debate that didn’t happen but nevertheless catapulted him to the presidency, Save Jerseyans.

The original plan was for a one-on-one debate between himself and Jeb Bush’s father just three days before the primary. The Federal Election Commission had ruled that the newspaper could not sponsor a debate without all of the GOP candidates; Reagan needed the boost, and George H. W. Bush wanted to take on Reagan by himself so the then-front runner refused to contribute to the cost.

Everyone showed up at the Nashua High School gymnasium including second-tier candidates Senators Bob Dole and Howard Baker, and Congressmen Phil Crane and John Anderson (former Texas governor John Connally couldn’t get there in time). Backstage wrangling ensued. When the two leading candidates finally took to the stage, and Reagan forcefully argued for the inclusion of the other candidates on-stage, the perturbed moderator tried to cut off Reagan’s mic.

Big mistake. The Gipper famously responded, “I’m paying for this microphone, Mr. Green.” The other candidates walked off and the crowd went crazy:

The end result? History: Reagan carried New Hampshire with 50% of the vote to George H. W. Bush’s 23%.

I can’t help but wonder if Marco Rubio had a similar moment last night when the media (and then Jeb Bush) tried to take him down in this extended exchange:

https://www.facebook.com/MarcoRubio/videos/vb.58736997707/10153679567167708/?type=2&theater

The media retort was good but his response to Bush was better.

“When you signed up for this, this is a six-year term, and you should be showing up to work,” the polling-challenged former Governor said, attempting to shame his former Florida legislative mentee. “You can campaign or just resign and let someone else take the job.”

“I don’t remember you ever complaining about John McCain’s vote record,” Rubio replied without missing a beat. “The only reason why you’re doing it now is because we’re running for the same position, and someone convinced you that attacking me is going to help you.”

And the crowd was in the palm of his hand.

Masterful. Dominate. Reagan-esque. The student has more than become the master.

Will October 28, 2015 prove as decisive for Marco as it was for Jeb’s dad’s 1980 opponent? I wouldn’t be surprised.

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Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8403 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.

2 Comments

  1. .

    The duplicitous Establishment has switched ONCE AGAIN to their new Flavor Of The Week – Marco Rubio. (Adiós, Jeb!)

    Meanwhile, the Nation has discovered what the rest of us Conservatives have known all along; Ted Cruz will fight for OUR values…

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