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Manhattan Diary by Cahir O'Doherty

Senator Mark Rubio's drinking problem during President's State of Union address

Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 01:02 AM

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Senator Mark Rubio

It was the gulp heard around the world.

Senator Marco Rubio's desperate thirst quenching impulse near the end of his response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union sent Twitter users into a frenzy.

Rubio, who had looked ill at ease mopping his forehead in front of the bright lights, suddenly provided the viewing public with the probable reason: bone dry thirst.

Twitter itself said there were about 9,200 tweets per minute after Rubio's sudden dive to the right of camera to retrieve a tiny plastic water bottle. For a short time the hashtags #watergate, #gulpgate and #PolandSpringsWtr were trending on the social media site.

GOP strategist Mike Murphy tweeted that the water bottle moment detracted from the substance of the senator's remarks. 'Strong material but the trivial water bit will get endless attention. #LifeUnfair,' Murphy tweeted.

But former Democratic strategist Paul Begala was less kind, tweeting: 'Marco Rubio, the man you want to have a desperate gulp of water with.'

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The unexpected fun commentators were suddenly having saw Rubio's message get lost on social media about eleven minutes into his speech, when the visibly overheated senator made the dive for his bottle.

It was, NBC anchor Brian Williams remarked drolly, an 'impassioned drink of water.' It was also in that moment that Rubio, the man who Time magazine recently crowned The Republican Savior, looked most sincere.

From little ripples come great ones. Objections to the content of Rubio's speech quickly became objections to his character.

Bill Maher tweeted: 'Wow, what a shameless liar this Rubio guy is – Obama created more debt than Bush? Well, if you don’t believe in science, why not math too?'

Kevin Powell saw the real writing on the political wall, tweeting: 'I hope Saturday Night Live has a field day with the Marco Rubio stumble, gulp, and water grab. That speech was clumsy and terrible.'

But it was Stephanie Cutter, Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama, who really nailed what was happening, tweeting: 'Rubio going the way of (Bobby) Jindal - just slightly more nervous and with a little bit more sweat.'

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olovely | Feb 19, 2013, 05:10 PM EST

Rubio's just a dollar bet between the Koch brothers that they know the nation didn't fall for.

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Smyrnian | Feb 19, 2013, 09:57 AM EST

Maybe some lucky paparazzi will catch Mr. Rubio in an unguarded moment perhaps combing his hair or maybe buttoning his jacket. Now THAT would set the lefties afire! It would be a clear demonstration that Mr. Rubio is 'not ready for prime time'. Same people denied Michelle Obama's recent eye rolling, food shoveling grotesque display of bad manners. Now THAT was news!

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seanomelb | Feb 18, 2013, 06:46 PM EST

Briano will be happy about that Ephraim

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MegK311 | Feb 18, 2013, 12:38 PM EST

Senator Rubio does not have a drinking problem anymore than Obama, Hilary, John Kerry or any other speech maker who takes a sip of water when making a speech. It is a typical liberal trick to make their opponents look foolish. But it backfired because Fox News showed videos all the liberal speech makers sipping water when making speeches. So I guess Obama and all his cronies also have a drinking problem. Liberals need to stop being so mean and petty.

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EphraimKibbey | Feb 17, 2013, 07:00 PM EST

seanomelb and briano- Liberals actually make up a vastly larger majority of the country, but the GOP won't let them all vote at the same time!

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EphraimKibbey | Feb 17, 2013, 06:56 PM EST

Remember how Ryan "hydrated" so much during his debate with the Vice President? Are all Republican politicians dried out?

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seanomelb | Feb 17, 2013, 06:55 PM EST

Briano you must learn to live with the majority 51% liberals

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EphraimKibbey | Feb 17, 2013, 06:51 PM EST

boydshield - If you hadn't noticed, RUBIO works for the government and lives off of your tax money. How did you like how he "loved his neighbors" so much that he has put his $600,000 dollar home on the market so he can get something that better fits his new station in life? And the GOP is honestly thinking of running him in 2016! Dems are saying bring him on! This side by side comparison of him and the President did not go well at all for Rubio or the GOP's tired, false theories. Did Rubio even listen to the President's speech? Talk about working with "stupid" people.

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Schlomo | Feb 17, 2013, 04:19 AM EST

All those items sound good to me olovely. Socialism shoud be reserved for infantile countries like Ireland and Christian, Conservative Capitalism for those who appreciate being independent of big, corrupt (read: FF, FG, LAB SINN FEIN.& DEMOCRATS) government parties, like grass-root Americans.

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olovely | Feb 16, 2013, 08:54 PM EST

Rubio's new and improved GOP platform: Big tax cuts for Big Business, Big New Wars, Bash Minorities, Belittle Women. Meet the new boss, same as the old one.

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Frosty38 | Feb 16, 2013, 09:50 AM EST

jamieLM Thats your own choice. Boston Dem

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Frosty38 | Feb 16, 2013, 09:22 AM EST

After i stopped laughing, I moved on.

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BrianO | Feb 16, 2013, 09:19 AM EST

Seano as always thank you for the insult. Obama 51% that's a mandate?

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Smyrnian | Feb 16, 2013, 07:00 AM EST

Should not drink water. Italy's you look very bad. Ask any leftie. Nobody had anything to say of Michelle Obama's recent eye rolling pigout, though!