Dear Marquito, it’s over.
This may come as a shock, but we’re through. And it’s not me. It’s you. Sorry (not sorry) but you are just not the man I thought you were.
In four short years, you’ve gone from being fiercely independent and #NeverTrump because you knew he was a fraud to helping him defraud the voters and undermine and delegitimize the U.S. electoral system. And now the one who looks like a fraud is you.
I have to admit, that’s a long way from when I first laid eyes on you as a West Miami Commissioner. I had no idea what you were destined for. You looked 12. But then, less than two years later, you ran in a special election for State House 111 against Spanish-language newsman Angel Zayon and yowza! A star was born!
Like everyone else, I took notice. ¿Quién es esté?
You still had those boyish looks. But now you were quickly becoming a savvy politician who was able to get the coveted Speaker position by the virtue of your early arrival and charismatic charm and then ran for Senate against a popular Republican governor, going against the GOP establishment’s wishes, and ended up making him change parties. I laughed and cheered.
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Your goodbye speech on the House floor was so powerful it got me hooked on politics. This was more than government. This was drama. This was storytelling. It was my first time listening to a goodbye speech from a politician — but not my last. And it’s still probably the best. You do have a 
way with words. I’ll give you that.
It’s what made me fall in political love with you years later, in the middle of your 2012 speech about immigration reform at a NALEO conference in Orlando. The gist: Neither Democrats nor Republicans, frankly, were the least bit interested in solving the illegal immigration problem because it was a source of (1) votes and (2) millions in campaign financing. As long as the American people gave politicians these two things, you said, immigration would remain a driving force in politics, and not be fixed.
You blew me away with your bluntness and turned me into a super fangirl that annoyed the living hell out of my more liberal or progressive pals. I fiercely defended you. I told them both Democrats and Republicans feared and respected you because you called them on their BS. I told them you transcended parties. I may have lost friends. I know I lost work.
You convinced me to vote for Mitt Romney in 2016. Did you know that? It was all you. You were there at my first Republican National Convention. I thought you were the shining star of the event. I predicted then that you would become the first Latino president of the United States.
I bought your book. I bought your other book. I stood in line for you to sign 
it. I followed you around from event to event, happily posting photos of us, the happy couple, on my social media. I even read your book (okay, I tried).
When you ran for president in 2016, I supported you in the primary early on. I was proud when you called Donald Trump a conman. I went to all your events in Miami and parked blocks away and walked in the rain to welcome you home to a rally with our old friends at the West Miami Community Center. I bought merch. For me and for my dad.
Read related: Marco Rubio revisits with West Miami crowd as ‘one of us’
I was so excited thinking the first Hispanic president would be a cubanito 
from Miami whose mother once worked at the same Westchester K-mart as I did after school at St. Brendan’s my senior year.
But then Donald Trump won and I don’t know what happened. Did it break your heart? Because you were just never the same again. Little by little, you became Little Marco. Instead of a driving force of independent thinking you were suddenly a blind follower.
Could it be that you were spineless all along?
Maybe I should have seen it coming. Yes, I also blame myself for giving you too much benefit of the doubt.
First, you failed to take any sensible position on gun reform after your own constituents were obliterated in violent mass shootings — 49 at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando and then 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland two years later in 2018. 
These are your people. But you never stood up for them.
Then you watched, mute, as the Trump administration stripped little children — babies, toddlers — from their illegally entering parents at the U.S. border just to hold them in chain-link cages where they kept warm with aluminum blankets. I cried for days. You were so cold. And you still haven’t done anything to reunite more than 500 children with their families.
Read related: Marco Rubio gets an A for effort, C for substance at CNN live town hall
You stood silently by again as your president refused to reject the supremacy of any race and, in fact, said offensive, hateful things about women and soldiers. Soldiers! Nobody expected you to defend Muslims. Okay, maybe, in my heart of hearts, I did. But soldiers? How hard is that?
I have tried to ignore your blind spot. Your “filter,” if you will. You are like the old Cubans in my family so I can be very understanding. And tolerant. Just like I’ve more recently tried to ignore your love affair with those creepy Biblical verses you tweet with no context.
But this blatant enabling of Trump’s fabricated attacks on the democratic process es el colmo ya. I would have thought it was beneath you to promote the propaganda that is undermining America’s confidence in the electoral system and the world’s confidence in America’s democracy. I never, ever would have believed that you would hand this gift to dictators and tyrants around the world who are happy to see a divided U.S. and chaos in our 
leadership. It was unfathomable that you would not only accept but defend and propagate the notion that our election was stolen and that it is okay to keep the president elect from the tools he is rightfully due access to in the transition process.
That’s unforgivable. And it seems I’m not alone in that opinion. The responses on the twitter video you posted Tuesday defending the baseless accusations from a desperate dictator in training is stacked with people who voted for you or donated to one of your campaigns who now feel ashamed that they did. Nice job!
This was your last chance — you could have called for the traditional transition access to be granted while the frivolous lawsuits work their way through the courts. You consciously chose not just to stay silent, which would be bad enough, but to come out swinging in defense of the indefensible.
Yes, we had already drifted apart, but the moment has come to cut you completely out of my life. No te quiero ver ni en pintura.
Don’t call. Don’t text. And, please, don’t run for office again.
Breaking up with Marco Rubio over illegal ballot lies is not so hard to do added by Ladra on
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Ladra, I am there with you. I had enthusiasm about his 2016 candidacy and good prospects, this in spite of comments from a trusted friend who new him directly and warned me of his eagerness as to getting ahead at any cost. Boy was he right.
I had been a registered republican since 1999. I vote each time, every time. I saw no other option but to change party affiliation in the face of what was taking place after dt got elected. My wife finally came to the same conclusion almost 4 years after and switched as well. We could not bear hold political affiliation with the likes of representatives that openly support treacherous lies such as him, Scott, Desantis, Diaz Ballart and now our former mayor Gimenez. Que desverguenza gente.
PS. I most admit, however, that it has been a painful but enlightening experience living an understanding the underlining aspects of all that has happen during the last few years…. a real eye opener.
As a long time Rubio supporter, I also wrote him with these complaints last week, along with Rick Scott and Ron De Santis for their obvious blind allegiance to Trumpism and abandonment of moral fibre. I used to be a ‘Reagan Republican’ but this party left me 8 years ago when it became the party of ‘no’ and the the ‘party of Trump’. I am joining others in a ‘Retire Rubio’ campaign. Thanks for your post.
BINGO, Ladra. Thank you for your honesty – I am also a registered independent that has voted for the best candidate never a party loyalist. In any case, Rubio has always been a lightweight ambitious sycophant with no true humanity who is out of his league in the Senate. I feel sorry for him, he could have been somebody if he had any integrity. I hope he does proceed after 2022. But I doubt my countrymen and women will ever see beyond his empty shell. He’s just a cute boy that smiles and lies at any cost
Rubio came out of the starting gate as a liar .
In the Cuban world you KNOW if your parents fled Batista or Fidel . It is no secret .
He claimed his parents fled Fidel but when it came out what year they came , he later admited his parents fled Batista , he acted like he simply wasn’t sure and not his fault .
Por favor eres un mentiroso .
Most would find this insulting but he got a free pass from the calle ocho’s .
Truth, don’t be so smug and try not to say so much BS.
First, I have never, ever been a registered Republican. I was NPA all my life until two years ago when I registered Dem to vote for a friend in a congressional primary in my district. I stayed Dem because I find the Republican Party more repulsive these days, even though I am still NPA at heart. I vote for both. I even voted for a Republican in this election (gasp!).
Second, nobody is saying that Trump has to stop counting, stop challenging or leave the White House today. The process is for there to be a transition period. I am not the only one ringing alarm bells about the steps he is taking at the pentagon and the rhetoric he is using to fan his base flames and get people riled up. If this were happening in any other country it would be seen as a possible coup. Of COURSE Biden said he would wait for the certification of the results, which is what the Donald should do, too, by the way, instead of lying that he won. But in the meantime, there should be a transition and there shouldn’t be this appearance of chaos and uncertainty we are projecting abroad.
Third, I’ve been wrong, too much actually, but I’ve also been right. A lot. And even when I’m wrong, I’m right, but I don’t expect you to understand that. Don’t hurt your brain.
Fourth, ego? You don’t know me. I probably have one, because everyone does, right? But she is woefully neglected. Or tiny. Or weak af. This is not about ego. This is about democracy and doing the right thing. There is no way that what the president is doing is right. Let’s count all the votes, let’s investigate all the baseless claims, file all the frivolous lawsuits (0 for 10 so far, right? Or is it more already). But in the meantime let the projections, which are based on math, lead you on the transition.
Biden should be getting briefings. He should have access to information, resources. The FBI and them should be vetting the people he wants to bring on. There’s going to be a backlog. I am not making this up. Congress changed the transition rules after the 9/11 commission said in its report that the delay in transition for George Bush because of the Florida chads was one of the things that may have led to a chain of events that caused the U.S. to miss the signs that there was a terrorist attack coming. Also, it tells the world abroad that we are weak and ripe for a hit.
Why can’t you just say that it’s wrong and dangerous to be having a temper tantrum in the White House? Why do you always have to complain about the complaining? Who’s the snowflake now?
Love, Ladra
Ladra,
I know that this going to hurt your ego. Your political awareness, acuteness, and compass has been failing you for years. Throughout the years you switched parties from Republican to Democrat. You have also been wrong many many times about local and state political races. So much so, that I need to grow at least 30 more fingers to keep count on the number of times you have been wrong. Even now, you again come up short with your little bow wow bark and political bites. During the debate moderated by Christopher Wallace, former Vice President Joe Biden, stated that he would wait for the certification of votes before claiming victory. Thus, he is the APPARENT ELECT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN. Hence, the transition will take place once ballots are reviewed for accuracy and legitimacy.
I know the truth hurts, but be a good dog and lick your wounds.
I voted for Trump too! But enough! We already have too many dictators. When Gore lost Florida to GW the difference was 321 votes. Now vote difference is in the tens of thousands in all contested states. And it was the Republican legislature in Pa. that adopted the new mail in rules. I thought my guy had more class. As for Marquito; he is OUR Napoleon, smart, cunning, ambitious and dangerous! His unconditional support for DJT can be understood when we remember how he protects and shelters his pal David. He is best described by the adjective made popular by his boss: FAKE. Never voted for him, never will!
Wonder if The Cortadito dislike of little Marcos Could it be Any and All from The Banana School of Rebeca Sosa , Them i could understand your grief ! Marcos is NOT a Trumper , but a Republican !
And NOT a Socialist ! GOTrump !
Hi Ladra,gee wiz ! We know you hate Trump ! That’s ok though .But my whole thing is God & Fairness. If you believe that there was a fair transition of Government when Obama handed over the Presidency to Trump in 2016 than you are completely off your rocker ! Why would Trump be so Gracious as to concede or hand over the Presidency when he was harassed by the Bias Media like CNN ,CBS,ABC,MORNING JOE,I can go on and on .People are not stupid .People hate someone because someone says something stupid or whatever ! There will be more crap for the next 4 years of the Biden Presidency than you can imagine as what goes around comes around ! It’s will be Poetic Justice.
All right, all right, all right guys!…I read Ladra’s piece plus the comments. BUT,
give the guy a break……you guys sound like “una cuadrilla de repudio”…..
remember he is FAMILY!!!!
Dear Michael and Christopher and anybody else.
Nobody is saying that Trump needs to leave the White House right now. He doesn’t even have to technically concede. Count all the legal votes and make all the challenges he wants — so far, every single one has been thrown out of court for lack of evidence. But I believe it is very dangerous for the Trump administration to deny the Biden transition team access to the information and tools they need to make a smooth and peaceful transitions EVENTUALLY. He loses nothing by doing this. In fact, he would gain a little respect perhaps.
Don’t be so one-sided yourself. Remember, I loved Marco. I voted for Romney because of him. I am not an extremist radical liberal at all. By any means. But I am worried about the steps the POTUS is taking — shake ups at the Pentagon? Declarations of victory? — that look like a coup d’etat in the making. If it were a Democrat president doing this to a Republican president elect, the screaming of “socialism” would be deafening and we might find armed militias in the streets.
Puh-leeze. Don’t confuse things. I will defend the process. Investigate. Count. Challenge. But in the MEANTIME allow for the very real possibility that he lost by beginning the transition. If the election is nullified, the transition can be stopped.
Love, Ladra
PS: Russian interference in our elections wasn’t phony. You know what was phony? That story about Obama being born in Kenya.
I have never thought much of Marco Rubio as a Senator. He seemed a little too willing to bend his convictions in service to his ambition for higher office. I hope that ambition has learned a much-needed lesson described by Rick Wilson’s bestseller, “Everything Trump Touches Dies.” And now I know that to be true both figuratively and literally.
I don’t think you provide a fair assessment of Senator Rubio. You disagree on some policy positions (gun control) and use that as a bridge to question his integrity and character.
I think Senator Rubio is playing the long game and I do hope he runs and is elected President.
There is so much personal animosity against President Trump that rational people become unhinged and it poisons everything. Words like “never” and “unforgiveable” are extreme and they are being repeated throughout the country to friends, family, leaders and readers. Time to take a deep breath. Apparently if you disagree with someone today on politics they are your sworn enemy until death. How nice.
The President has a right to pursue legal means to determine if certain election processes were valid and legal. I don’t think its a surprise to anyone that voter fraud takes place. But does it make a difference? It did with Nixon vs. Kennedy. Nixon chose to accept a tainted, fraudulent result for the greater good of the nation.
It does not appear that there is sufficient evidence this time to make the claim that the true result is different from the projected result and that is all we have right now – a “projected result” which has no legal standing.
This extreme polarization was not caused by President Trump but his personality has exacerbated it. But we all have free will and control of ourselves and we do not need to become unhinged.
He is and always has been una postalita.
A tragic but well-written political obituary.
Ladra, te acompaño en tus sentimientos. I saw Rubio go from Tea Party hero to Gang of Eight compromiser to legit presidential candidate using adept political skills, eloquent rhetoric, and a willingness to engage with the soul of America that few politicians actually achieve.
I was in high school throughout his rise – it was difficult to not look up to him. Of course, I detested the far right wing ideas that catapulted him to CPAC stardom – but nevertheless, he seemed willing to wrestle with ideas, willing to reach across the aisle and that gave me the ideological room to support him, room for hope.
Now, he’s slightly more than a prosthetic appendage to Trump’s hateful, conspiratorial, divisive movement. With all its success (and it HAS been successful, look at Lago up there). And for what? A chance to be known as Little Marco for the rest of his political life? A seat on the SFRC when all foreign policy runs through Trump’s bouncer, Pompeo?
I don’t think I’ll ever look to any politico with hope again.
Hmmm,there are way to many points to make here and I believe in God & fairness .Marco Rubio is a Politician ,they’re all like used car salesman whether a Republican or a Democrat. From the very beginning of Trump’s Presidency as well as before he was President the intelligence community tried to create a Phony narrative of Russian connections with the Trump campaign. That’s a fact .Let’s stay on facts as that is all that matters. All the rest is Bullshit. Every Legal vote should be counted and every illegal vote that was cast intentionally or by accident should be removed from the vote count .If anyone disagrees with that than you’re a moron! This is America, Not Cuba,Not China, Not North Korea, Not Iran ,Etc, Etc,Etc .Let every “Legal”vote count .Also,Marco Rubio has never liked Trump and Trump has never liked Rubio .Sorry ,Rubio is Right to call out any illegal votes as that is the right thing to do no matter how much someone hates someone. Rubio has always been a never Trumper .
Now that our fired president is refusing to concede the election, and making abundantly clear his disregard for the good and security of the country, Rubio’s allegiance to party money shows his disregard for his fundamental responsibility to check and balance government power.
Dear Julio Lago, you are wrong. I have no fear. And I defend the process. Let the president make all the legal challenges he wants. He is POTUS until Jan. 19. I defend his right to do so.
But in the MEANTIME, give the Biden transition team the access to the information and tools they need to make a smooth and peaceful transition if and when it is proven — 12 lawsuits so far thrown out of 12 courts — that there was no widespread fraud or conspiracy.
By the way, if there was, then were the Republican senators and congress members also elected last week elected fraudulently? Please. Stop grasping at straws. I defend the process, not the people.
Love, Ladra
The President has the right under the Constitution to legally fight the election results to question for ballot fraud. If he can not prove it with proper evidences, it will be the end if his efforts. Can you Ladra and those democrats who opposed his effort get it thru your head? Why are you concern, it sounds like we are afraid that fraud may be in the works?
Yes, Que se vaya
It is obvious that the way mobster DJT has the goods on Little Marco. The latest being him probably being implicated in his longtime partner in crime David Rivera’s #MaduroGate $50 million scandal that seems to be oh so hushed.
Ladra, he sold us out WAY before this. Remember when he became Speaker of the Florida State House and all the hopes South Florida had for getting our fair share of funding that never materialized? His role in ending the District Cost Differential for Miami-Dade Schools that cost us more than $50 million in lost funding for our schools, hurting our kids?
He sells out ALWAYS so he can climb and benefit personally. Típico trepador.
And BTW, his impassioned speech about immigration reform can be also used for a 60-year Republican vote getting tactic:
“…Republicans, frankly, were the least bit interested in solving the [Cuban regime] problem because it was a source of (1) votes and (2) millions in campaign financing. As long as the American people gave politicians these two things, [policy to end the repressive Communist Cuban regime] would remain a driving force in politics, and not be fixed.”
So terribly and tragically sad.
Read and re-read — not just entertaining but straight-up TRUTH, Ladra!
Like others, I’ve cut Marco slack because he was “one of us.” But not anymore. He is nothing more than a lackey for Trump, and he forgot about the folks back home a LONG time ago.
Truth! Little Marco is a lying weasel. He embarrasses himself and he embarrasses all Floridians, especially Cubans. #FireRubio
El se une a la MINORIA para tratar de desestabilizar la DEMOCRACIA #AFUERAMARCORUBIO!
Everything you needed to know about Li’l Marco occurred many, many years ago when he charged personal expenses on the state GOP credit card. When caught he said, “OOOPS!” but we all know it wasn’t a whoopsie.
Then, after the attacks from Mad King Trump during the 2016 campaign, turning around and being one of his greatest sycophants during all of the incidents you list above.
And, that wasn’t enough for you? This is the ‘too much’ moment?