1. Rubio’s not in Iowa, but still thinking 2016
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida skipped the big weekend GOP gathering in Iowa, and some believe Jeb Bush’s presumed candidacy makes it hard for Rubio to find his 2016 footing.
But Jonathan Martin of The New York Times shared reporting on how Rubio is still very interested in running, and hopeful that perhaps the interest from Mitt Romney offers him a new place in the growing GOP field.
“One of the things that is really keeping him intrigued by this race is the possibility that Mitt Romney will run,” said Martin. “If you have a Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney scenario, that could open up a door for Rubio because it divides the center right and also it makes Rubio look more conservative, less establishment.”
–
One ask in President Obama’s State of the Union address was for Congress to authorize the military campaign under way against ISIS targets in the Middle East.
It was a jarring moment if you recall how Barack Obama broke out in 2008 by being the candidate who opposed the Iraq war and wanted to get the U.S. out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Just watching him ask for authorization of military force was a reminder the world has not unfolded as Obama had hoped.
Julie Hirschfeld Davis of The New York Times shared reporting about whether the President’s request was an important shift in administration thinking.
“Some people think he goofed a little when he said we need that authority. That’s actually a change in position for him,” said Hirschfeld Davis. “But now he really wants Congress to give him some legislation that would authorize that fight. Internally in the White House, the discussions are really heating up about what that should look like. They’re anticipating quite a fight on Capitol Hill both with Republicans and Democrats.”
