Senator Mark Rubio's drinking problem during President's State of Union address
By: Cahir O'Doherty | Published Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 10:16 AM | Updated Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 10:16 AM
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.'
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.'
Rubio's just a dollar bet between the Koch brothers that they know the nation didn't fall for.
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!
seanomelb | Feb 18, 2013, 06:46 PM EST
Briano will be happy about that Ephraim
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.
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!
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?
seanomelb | Feb 17, 2013, 06:55 PM EST
Briano you must learn to live with the majority 51% liberals
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.
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.
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.
Frosty38 | Feb 16, 2013, 09:50 AM EST
jamieLM
Thats your own choice.
Boston Dem
Frosty38 | Feb 16, 2013, 09:22 AM EST
After i stopped laughing, I moved on.
BrianO | Feb 16, 2013, 09:19 AM EST
Seano as always thank you for the insult. Obama 51% that's a mandate?
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!
hollabackgurl | Feb 16, 2013, 12:23 AM EST
The GOP's next big hope isn't ready for prime time.
Smyrnian | Feb 15, 2013, 10:03 PM EST
Big Nanny government will save us all don't you know. It's worked everywhere else in the world, right?
seanomelb | Feb 15, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
Where's your sense of humour Peterson? The second amandment will not improve your living standards Briano Rubio was preaching to the GOP base and He failed to be inclusive of all Americans. Same old talking points that lost them the presidency you lot just will not learn. You are stuck in the groove of an old 78rpm. record.
peterson | Feb 15, 2013, 02:39 PM EST
You liberals are really getting picky. How about some of the stupid mistakes that Obama and Biden have made by mispronouncing words ?? What is wrong about taking a sip of water ?? You liberals are all sipping Obama's coolaid !!
BrianO | Feb 15, 2013, 10:26 AM EST
More government isn't going to help you get ahead, create more opportunities, inspire new ideas, new business, or private sector jobs. It limits them. This was Rubios first point. “We must effectively deal with the rise of violence in our country,” he said "But unconstitutionally undermining the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans is not the way to do it.” Rubios second point.
hancock | Feb 15, 2013, 01:06 AM EST
Are you people serious?
Rebelforce | Feb 15, 2013, 12:12 AM EST
It wouldn't have been so bad if the bottle didn't have a nipple on it.
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 06:05 PM EST
"All day I face the GOP race without a taste of water". Do I see panic in those eyes??
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 06:05 PM EST
"All day I face the GOP race without a taste of water". Do I see panic in those eyes??
mlpowner | Feb 14, 2013, 05:18 PM EST
Seriously?? With enormously important issues facing us, you want to reflect on Marco Rubio's need to take a drink of water. Just pathetic.
Smyrnian | Feb 14, 2013, 04:51 PM EST
Liberals never get thirsty; they are constantly salivating at the prospect of more spending and more taxes!
olovely | Feb 14, 2013, 12:52 PM EST
Rubio looked like just another used car salesman and shockingly he voted NO against the Violence Against Women Act (with 21 other GOP men). In his speech he complained about things that Obama actually did not say in his SOTU address. He sounded exactly like Mitt Romeny. And I've heard people's mouths get dry when they lie.
jamieLM | Feb 14, 2013, 11:56 AM EST
olovely, I'm concerned about the state of the country NOW, not whether Rubio, or anyone else, is ready for prime time in 2013, a non-election year. Should Americans focus on solving today's problems or on the goofs of every Dem or Rep who may or may not run for president from now until 2016??? I doubt if Rubio was a Dem, this incident would've been written about on IC. If Rubio had committed a crime under U.S. law, then it would be "news." IC posts articles and asks for comments, so that's what they get. Btw: I'm a registered Independent.
olovely | Feb 14, 2013, 11:04 AM EST
And yet here you all are commenting furiously on such a very unimportant issue. Right. Rubio didn't look or sound ready for prime time. That's news, folks.
jamieLM | Feb 14, 2013, 10:54 AM EST
@ Cahir, what a shallow, idiotic article. The U.S. is drowning in debt and has a long list of serious problems to deal with and your focus is on Rubio drinking some water. I seriously question YOUR judgment in wasting time on something so unimportant and for including a quote from that super twit, Bill Maher. Leave this silly junk to the late night comedians and get a grip on what's really important because this isn't it.
Smyrnian | Feb 14, 2013, 09:48 AM EST
Staker - Because IC is a left wing publication with a matching agenda so if they can jump on anything to make a Republican look bad they will; even something as nonsensical and juvenile as this. The mainstream media is the same.
staker42 | Feb 13, 2013, 11:36 PM EST
When does Irish Central and O'Doherty start commenting on things that have nothing to do with them. Stick to those things that are Irish related. Your need and urge to comment and report just shows your biases. Get a life and start reporting on thing of substance. Chair you are an idiot.
hollabackgurl | Feb 13, 2013, 10:43 PM EST
Rubio looked goofy. Goofiness doesn't matter if you have good ideas. Rubio's speech proved that he doesn't have any.
olovely | Feb 13, 2013, 10:29 PM EST
Perhaps you guys aren't familiar with the internet? Rubio's desperate dive for water is all over it. Try this here newfangled thing called a Google search. The public can't bear to hear the same old dried up talking points: tax cuts for billionaires will make us all rich, war is peace, minorities don't deserve rights, guns are life-preservers.
Maggie47 | Feb 13, 2013, 08:25 PM EST
Cahir, Marco Rubio taking a sip of water.
President Obama lying to the american people which is worse?
boydshield | Feb 13, 2013, 07:16 PM EST
When I worked for the government, I once asked my boss, 'Why do I work with such stupid people?' His response, 'It's All we can afford.'
I would guess the editor feels Cahir is all he can afford. Rubio had first given the speech in Spanish, and then to the networks in English.
Read Cahir's paragraph that starts, 'The unexpected fun commentators were suddenly having saw...' He obviously can't write.
olovely | Feb 13, 2013, 06:26 PM EST
Rubio did not vote for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Can you make sense of the reason he gave: ""Unfortunately, I could not support the final, entire legislation that contains new provisions that could have potentially adverse consequences. Specifically, this bill would mandate the diversion of a portion of funding from domestic violence programs to sexual assault programs."—Senator Marco Rubio. I can't. Because it doesn't make sense. War on Women Round II.
katieherk | Feb 13, 2013, 06:24 PM EST
Oh, come on, if it had been a liberal he would have been congratulated for being smart enough to take a drink of water when thirsty. I swear you people who made fun of this are getting more stupid by the day.... and you run this country? (i.e., liberals do)
Pittsburghkid | Feb 13, 2013, 06:20 PM EST
The only knock against Rubio is drinking water. This will be soon forgotten, but Obama mismanagement will last for a long time.
Smyrnian | Feb 13, 2013, 06:17 PM EST
Takes the cake for stupidest article on IC for a long time! There must have been a shortage of anti-catholic stuff to be raked up so they put in this drivel. Silly!
seanomelb | Feb 13, 2013, 05:12 PM EST
Telling lies tends to dry the mouth and increase perspiration he is one big liar.
Shmrck5S | Feb 13, 2013, 04:23 PM EST
IC must have truncated this piece. There was no reference to the LGBT constituency. Didn't know the author could write without such a reference.
The Dem's don't see a problem with teleprompters (nor do I); I don't see a problem with a water bottle.
Scrivner | Feb 13, 2013, 03:53 PM EST
Cahir, here you go again, showing your inate racism against those with brown skin. Maybe bashing O'Rubio (let's make hime Irish, too) and Jindal (thank you for not sayhing that he should go manage a 7-11, a la VP Biden)does not polish your image. IC has put out another hit peice, disguised as journalism.
olovely | Feb 13, 2013, 02:40 PM EST
Rubio didn't even attempt to challenge Obama's plans. Instead he just parroted the same old GOP catechism that lost them the last election and will the next. Short of ideas and short of water, eh?
RichardP | Feb 13, 2013, 02:31 PM EST
Seriously? The guy has a drink of water and it's news? It's indicative of all sorts of problems? Give me a break
cillowen | Feb 13, 2013, 01:36 PM EST
cuba libras - his skin is getting that boehner texture - notice how drunks get that dried out glassy eye look.
Eschetic | Feb 13, 2013, 12:39 PM EST
Senator Rubio has many appealing aspects and many issue problems between him and 2016, but I don't think anyone seriously thinks writing about his water break, unprofessional as it may have been (good tip on CBS this morning: eat a banana before going on - it will keep the mouth "salivated" for at least 20 minutes) will harm him in any way when so much of the REST of the world is tweeting, talking and writing about it! If Irish Central wanted to seriously "raise eyebrows" about the incident, given the record of so many of Rubio's colleagues, they might have tried some investigative reporting and asked how much Poland Spring Water *paid* for that high profile product "placement"!?!
MegK311 | Feb 13, 2013, 12:18 PM EST
Oh you are hard up for something to write about. Your column title is misleading. Then you continue to trash Senator Rubio. Having a problem with dry mouth makes it difficult to talk so no big deal for you to write a whole column about it. It just shows what a small mind you have. Senator Rubio gave a good speech and he is more in touch with the average American than Obama is. Obama makes great speeches but he doesn't keep his promises. He is all talk and no action.
I would like to know when he is going to put people back to work. Am I better off than I was 4 years ago the answer is NO and I don't see that it is going to get any better in the next 4.
jfoynyc | Feb 13, 2013, 11:39 AM EST
Last year Bobby Jingal; this year Marc O'Rubio. Marco did as well as Bobby so anyone who thinks the Republican Party is disimproving, as we say in parts of Ireland, has another guess coming. The Party is as good as it was last year!
Rubio's message was pathetic; it lacked substance and most sentences could probably be found in the Romney race archives. Remember 'not a dime increase'? Is there anything that the President proposed not good for the typical American?
He should have advocated taxing guns and ammunition with the proceeds to go entirely to repay the cost to Taxpayers due to accidents and crime with guns that injure - physically or mentally - and result in significant consumption of medical care and other expenses such as Social Security payments to bereft widows and children, Disability payments, unemployment, etc. We do it for cars in the form of Insurance, why not for guns? Afieu, Bobby et Marco; Next please!
PhlutiePhan | Feb 13, 2013, 11:04 AM EST
As an Irish American Navy vet, I have a real problem with the Bush presidency especially his buds Rove and Cheney. However, let's stay away from revisionist history. BHO is no JFK. He is a radical marxist who believes only in redistribution of wealth and the killing of babies in a multi-million dollar business with its doctors and Democratic lawyers who have gone "off the reservation" to go after his biggest critic, the Catholic Church. Rubio has seen Communism first hand in Cuba. Let's see what Rubio has to say and then evaluate his beliefs in a sane and reasonable manner. As someone who did shipboard training in Cuba, I say that JFK had all the answers. To turn a water bottle into an "albatross" belies just who is indeed "the ancient mariner".
johnshiel | Feb 13, 2013, 11:00 AM EST
kind of a funny move... he'll get past this flap quite easily, sez me... should there be speech giving suits that are like hospital gowns -- totally open in the back -- for ventilation and speech giving comfort???
motyrrab | Feb 13, 2013, 10:58 AM EST
The problem with Marco Rubio's speech was that it wasn't really a response to Pres. Obama's State of the Union Address at all, but a summation of all the old GOP arguments against Obama & the Democratic agenda in general. No point by point rebuttal of anything in the speech. Don't they get the text in advance? Rubio says, Pres wants to expand govt; Pres. says, smarter govt., not larger govt. Rubio says Pres. wants to raise taxes; Pres. says close loopholes for the wealthy - (same as Romney in the campaign, though he never mentioned a single one).
The water thing is much ado about nothing, but it will get a lot of play with liberal leaning comics. Why didn't they just give him a glass of water within easy reach? Plastic bottle on national TV? A little weird regardless of your political POV.
FastEddy | Feb 13, 2013, 10:48 AM EST
OK, so what? The president has a klepto problem, stealing the future of our children ... Each U.S. new born is saddled with more than $25K of debt. ... This demofascist elitist eRag has a socialist/media complex propaganda problem, too. Senator Rubio at least has the guts to stand in front of the cameras and let that news out ... How about posting His whole speech?
patrickesq | Feb 13, 2013, 10:43 AM EST
Too bad Mr. Rubio's moment of glory in the national spotlight caused him to become unglued. Too bad his zeal for partisanship caused him to make false accusations about what our President said moments earlier. Mr. Rubio's shinning star lost much of its brillance and dimmed his prospects for 2016. Too bad candor and honesty on in such short supply in Washington.
Conchubar | Feb 13, 2013, 09:58 AM EST
IC's bias is alive and well as demonstrated in this headline. As an "a-political" reader, I'm offended by either side's attempts at double-speak. "Drinking problem?" Really?
CavanAncestor | Feb 13, 2013, 08:49 AM EST
Begala, Williams, Cutter, Maher and O'Doherty now there's an objective panel say I "drolly". You have to be kidding. Tempest in a teapot for those in denial of the facts.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.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.
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!
seanomelb | Feb 18, 2013, 06:46 PM EST
Briano will be happy about that Ephraim
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.
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!
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?
seanomelb | Feb 17, 2013, 06:55 PM EST
Briano you must learn to live with the majority 51% liberals
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.
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.
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.
Frosty38 | Feb 16, 2013, 09:50 AM EST
jamieLM Thats your own choice. Boston Dem
Frosty38 | Feb 16, 2013, 09:22 AM EST
After i stopped laughing, I moved on.
BrianO | Feb 16, 2013, 09:19 AM EST
Seano as always thank you for the insult. Obama 51% that's a mandate?
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!
hollabackgurl | Feb 16, 2013, 12:23 AM EST
The GOP's next big hope isn't ready for prime time.
Smyrnian | Feb 15, 2013, 10:03 PM EST
Big Nanny government will save us all don't you know. It's worked everywhere else in the world, right?
seanomelb | Feb 15, 2013, 06:51 PM EST
Where's your sense of humour Peterson? The second amandment will not improve your living standards Briano Rubio was preaching to the GOP base and He failed to be inclusive of all Americans. Same old talking points that lost them the presidency you lot just will not learn. You are stuck in the groove of an old 78rpm. record.
peterson | Feb 15, 2013, 02:39 PM EST
You liberals are really getting picky. How about some of the stupid mistakes that Obama and Biden have made by mispronouncing words ?? What is wrong about taking a sip of water ?? You liberals are all sipping Obama's coolaid !!
BrianO | Feb 15, 2013, 10:26 AM EST
More government isn't going to help you get ahead, create more opportunities, inspire new ideas, new business, or private sector jobs. It limits them. This was Rubios first point. “We must effectively deal with the rise of violence in our country,” he said "But unconstitutionally undermining the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans is not the way to do it.” Rubios second point.
hancock | Feb 15, 2013, 01:06 AM EST
Are you people serious?
Rebelforce | Feb 15, 2013, 12:12 AM EST
It wouldn't have been so bad if the bottle didn't have a nipple on it.
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 06:05 PM EST
"All day I face the GOP race without a taste of water". Do I see panic in those eyes??
seanomelb | Feb 14, 2013, 06:05 PM EST
"All day I face the GOP race without a taste of water". Do I see panic in those eyes??
mlpowner | Feb 14, 2013, 05:18 PM EST
Seriously?? With enormously important issues facing us, you want to reflect on Marco Rubio's need to take a drink of water. Just pathetic.
Smyrnian | Feb 14, 2013, 04:51 PM EST
Liberals never get thirsty; they are constantly salivating at the prospect of more spending and more taxes!
olovely | Feb 14, 2013, 12:52 PM EST
Rubio looked like just another used car salesman and shockingly he voted NO against the Violence Against Women Act (with 21 other GOP men). In his speech he complained about things that Obama actually did not say in his SOTU address. He sounded exactly like Mitt Romeny. And I've heard people's mouths get dry when they lie.
jamieLM | Feb 14, 2013, 11:56 AM EST
olovely, I'm concerned about the state of the country NOW, not whether Rubio, or anyone else, is ready for prime time in 2013, a non-election year. Should Americans focus on solving today's problems or on the goofs of every Dem or Rep who may or may not run for president from now until 2016??? I doubt if Rubio was a Dem, this incident would've been written about on IC. If Rubio had committed a crime under U.S. law, then it would be "news." IC posts articles and asks for comments, so that's what they get. Btw: I'm a registered Independent.
olovely | Feb 14, 2013, 11:04 AM EST
And yet here you all are commenting furiously on such a very unimportant issue. Right. Rubio didn't look or sound ready for prime time. That's news, folks.
jamieLM | Feb 14, 2013, 10:54 AM EST
@ Cahir, what a shallow, idiotic article. The U.S. is drowning in debt and has a long list of serious problems to deal with and your focus is on Rubio drinking some water. I seriously question YOUR judgment in wasting time on something so unimportant and for including a quote from that super twit, Bill Maher. Leave this silly junk to the late night comedians and get a grip on what's really important because this isn't it.
Smyrnian | Feb 14, 2013, 09:48 AM EST
Staker - Because IC is a left wing publication with a matching agenda so if they can jump on anything to make a Republican look bad they will; even something as nonsensical and juvenile as this. The mainstream media is the same.
staker42 | Feb 13, 2013, 11:36 PM EST
When does Irish Central and O'Doherty start commenting on things that have nothing to do with them. Stick to those things that are Irish related. Your need and urge to comment and report just shows your biases. Get a life and start reporting on thing of substance. Chair you are an idiot.
hollabackgurl | Feb 13, 2013, 10:43 PM EST
Rubio looked goofy. Goofiness doesn't matter if you have good ideas. Rubio's speech proved that he doesn't have any.
olovely | Feb 13, 2013, 10:29 PM EST
Perhaps you guys aren't familiar with the internet? Rubio's desperate dive for water is all over it. Try this here newfangled thing called a Google search. The public can't bear to hear the same old dried up talking points: tax cuts for billionaires will make us all rich, war is peace, minorities don't deserve rights, guns are life-preservers.
Maggie47 | Feb 13, 2013, 08:25 PM EST
Cahir, Marco Rubio taking a sip of water. President Obama lying to the american people which is worse?
boydshield | Feb 13, 2013, 07:16 PM EST
When I worked for the government, I once asked my boss, 'Why do I work with such stupid people?' His response, 'It's All we can afford.' I would guess the editor feels Cahir is all he can afford. Rubio had first given the speech in Spanish, and then to the networks in English. Read Cahir's paragraph that starts, 'The unexpected fun commentators were suddenly having saw...' He obviously can't write.
olovely | Feb 13, 2013, 06:26 PM EST
Rubio did not vote for the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Can you make sense of the reason he gave: ""Unfortunately, I could not support the final, entire legislation that contains new provisions that could have potentially adverse consequences. Specifically, this bill would mandate the diversion of a portion of funding from domestic violence programs to sexual assault programs."—Senator Marco Rubio. I can't. Because it doesn't make sense. War on Women Round II.
katieherk | Feb 13, 2013, 06:24 PM EST
Oh, come on, if it had been a liberal he would have been congratulated for being smart enough to take a drink of water when thirsty. I swear you people who made fun of this are getting more stupid by the day.... and you run this country? (i.e., liberals do)
Pittsburghkid | Feb 13, 2013, 06:20 PM EST
The only knock against Rubio is drinking water. This will be soon forgotten, but Obama mismanagement will last for a long time.
Smyrnian | Feb 13, 2013, 06:17 PM EST
Takes the cake for stupidest article on IC for a long time! There must have been a shortage of anti-catholic stuff to be raked up so they put in this drivel. Silly!
seanomelb | Feb 13, 2013, 05:12 PM EST
Telling lies tends to dry the mouth and increase perspiration he is one big liar.
Shmrck5S | Feb 13, 2013, 04:23 PM EST
IC must have truncated this piece. There was no reference to the LGBT constituency. Didn't know the author could write without such a reference. The Dem's don't see a problem with teleprompters (nor do I); I don't see a problem with a water bottle.
Scrivner | Feb 13, 2013, 03:53 PM EST
Cahir, here you go again, showing your inate racism against those with brown skin. Maybe bashing O'Rubio (let's make hime Irish, too) and Jindal (thank you for not sayhing that he should go manage a 7-11, a la VP Biden)does not polish your image. IC has put out another hit peice, disguised as journalism.
olovely | Feb 13, 2013, 02:40 PM EST
Rubio didn't even attempt to challenge Obama's plans. Instead he just parroted the same old GOP catechism that lost them the last election and will the next. Short of ideas and short of water, eh?
RichardP | Feb 13, 2013, 02:31 PM EST
Seriously? The guy has a drink of water and it's news? It's indicative of all sorts of problems? Give me a break
cillowen | Feb 13, 2013, 01:36 PM EST
cuba libras - his skin is getting that boehner texture - notice how drunks get that dried out glassy eye look.
Eschetic | Feb 13, 2013, 12:39 PM EST
Senator Rubio has many appealing aspects and many issue problems between him and 2016, but I don't think anyone seriously thinks writing about his water break, unprofessional as it may have been (good tip on CBS this morning: eat a banana before going on - it will keep the mouth "salivated" for at least 20 minutes) will harm him in any way when so much of the REST of the world is tweeting, talking and writing about it! If Irish Central wanted to seriously "raise eyebrows" about the incident, given the record of so many of Rubio's colleagues, they might have tried some investigative reporting and asked how much Poland Spring Water *paid* for that high profile product "placement"!?!
MegK311 | Feb 13, 2013, 12:18 PM EST
Oh you are hard up for something to write about. Your column title is misleading. Then you continue to trash Senator Rubio. Having a problem with dry mouth makes it difficult to talk so no big deal for you to write a whole column about it. It just shows what a small mind you have. Senator Rubio gave a good speech and he is more in touch with the average American than Obama is. Obama makes great speeches but he doesn't keep his promises. He is all talk and no action. I would like to know when he is going to put people back to work. Am I better off than I was 4 years ago the answer is NO and I don't see that it is going to get any better in the next 4.
jfoynyc | Feb 13, 2013, 11:39 AM EST
Last year Bobby Jingal; this year Marc O'Rubio. Marco did as well as Bobby so anyone who thinks the Republican Party is disimproving, as we say in parts of Ireland, has another guess coming. The Party is as good as it was last year! Rubio's message was pathetic; it lacked substance and most sentences could probably be found in the Romney race archives. Remember 'not a dime increase'? Is there anything that the President proposed not good for the typical American? He should have advocated taxing guns and ammunition with the proceeds to go entirely to repay the cost to Taxpayers due to accidents and crime with guns that injure - physically or mentally - and result in significant consumption of medical care and other expenses such as Social Security payments to bereft widows and children, Disability payments, unemployment, etc. We do it for cars in the form of Insurance, why not for guns? Afieu, Bobby et Marco; Next please!
PhlutiePhan | Feb 13, 2013, 11:04 AM EST
As an Irish American Navy vet, I have a real problem with the Bush presidency especially his buds Rove and Cheney. However, let's stay away from revisionist history. BHO is no JFK. He is a radical marxist who believes only in redistribution of wealth and the killing of babies in a multi-million dollar business with its doctors and Democratic lawyers who have gone "off the reservation" to go after his biggest critic, the Catholic Church. Rubio has seen Communism first hand in Cuba. Let's see what Rubio has to say and then evaluate his beliefs in a sane and reasonable manner. As someone who did shipboard training in Cuba, I say that JFK had all the answers. To turn a water bottle into an "albatross" belies just who is indeed "the ancient mariner".
johnshiel | Feb 13, 2013, 11:00 AM EST
kind of a funny move... he'll get past this flap quite easily, sez me... should there be speech giving suits that are like hospital gowns -- totally open in the back -- for ventilation and speech giving comfort???
motyrrab | Feb 13, 2013, 10:58 AM EST
The problem with Marco Rubio's speech was that it wasn't really a response to Pres. Obama's State of the Union Address at all, but a summation of all the old GOP arguments against Obama & the Democratic agenda in general. No point by point rebuttal of anything in the speech. Don't they get the text in advance? Rubio says, Pres wants to expand govt; Pres. says, smarter govt., not larger govt. Rubio says Pres. wants to raise taxes; Pres. says close loopholes for the wealthy - (same as Romney in the campaign, though he never mentioned a single one). The water thing is much ado about nothing, but it will get a lot of play with liberal leaning comics. Why didn't they just give him a glass of water within easy reach? Plastic bottle on national TV? A little weird regardless of your political POV.
FastEddy | Feb 13, 2013, 10:48 AM EST
OK, so what? The president has a klepto problem, stealing the future of our children ... Each U.S. new born is saddled with more than $25K of debt. ... This demofascist elitist eRag has a socialist/media complex propaganda problem, too. Senator Rubio at least has the guts to stand in front of the cameras and let that news out ... How about posting His whole speech?
patrickesq | Feb 13, 2013, 10:43 AM EST
Too bad Mr. Rubio's moment of glory in the national spotlight caused him to become unglued. Too bad his zeal for partisanship caused him to make false accusations about what our President said moments earlier. Mr. Rubio's shinning star lost much of its brillance and dimmed his prospects for 2016. Too bad candor and honesty on in such short supply in Washington.
Conchubar | Feb 13, 2013, 09:58 AM EST
IC's bias is alive and well as demonstrated in this headline. As an "a-political" reader, I'm offended by either side's attempts at double-speak. "Drinking problem?" Really?
CavanAncestor | Feb 13, 2013, 08:49 AM EST
Begala, Williams, Cutter, Maher and O'Doherty now there's an objective panel say I "drolly". You have to be kidding. Tempest in a teapot for those in denial of the facts.