Sen. Marco Rubio Delivers Speech on Values  ...back >
July 23, 2014 - Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivered a speech on values at the Catholic University of America, declaring, “A strong America is not possible without strong Americans – a people formed by the values necessary for success, the values of education and hard work, strong marriages and empowered parents."

Rubio outlined a "success sequence" consisting of getting an education, finding a good job and getting married.  He emphasized the importance of two parent homes, but also presented ideas to help single parents.  Rubio offered a strong defense of traditional marriage.

"You see, thousands of years of human history have shown that the ideal setting for children to grow up is with a mother and a father committed to one another, living together, and sharing the responsibility of raising their children. And since traditional marriage has such an extraordinary record of success at raising children into strong and successful adults, states in our country have long elevated this institution and set it apart in our laws.

"And this is the definition of marriage that I personally support – not because I seek to discriminate against people who love someone of the same sex, but because I believe that the union of one man and one woman is a special relationship that has proven to be of great benefit to our society, our nation and our people, and therefore deserves to be elevated in our laws."

Rubio noted that, "[T]here is a growing intolerance on this issue, intolerance towards those who continue to support traditional marriage."  He stated, "This intolerance in the name of tolerance is hypocrisy."

"Supporting the definition of marriage as one man and one woman is not anti-gay, it is pro-traditional marriage. And if support for traditional marriage is bigotry, then Barack Obama was a bigot until just before the 2012 election." [prepared remarks]

CUA's Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies and The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission sponsored Rubio's speech.  The media advisory stated that the speech was designed to "draw attention to one of the largest – yet often least discussed – contributors to our nation’s economic troubles: the breakdown of the American family and the erosion of fundamental values that has followed." 
Catholic University of America President John Garvey introduced Sen. Rubio. 
After his speech, Rubio fielded three questions submitted from the audience: the first on abortion and whether overturning Roe v. Wade is enough or a broader approach is required; the second on how he manages his time between family and politics; and the third on immigration.  Rubio then left.
Following Rubio's speech, Dr. Stephen Schneck, Ph.D., director of CUA's Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies, [at left] led a discussion.


Also note:
The Democratic National Committee had this to say:


Abortion, Gay Marriage and Rubio’s ‘vision’

Later today, Senator Rubio will give a speech at Catholic University in Washington where, according to an aide he will “discuss the values needed for economic success in the 21st Century.”

What issues does Rubio see as key to America’s economic success? Restricting a woman’s right to choose and fighting marriage equality.

Those really are key parts of Rubio’s prescription for economic success.


While Rubio says he wants to lay the groundwork for success in the 21st Century, the policies he champions are nothing more than a retread of failed Republican policies that hurt working Americans.

Today, Rubio wants the minimum wage to have less purchasing power than it did in the 1960’s, he wants to take women’s health care back to the 1950’s, he shut down the government like Republicans did in the 1990’s and has voted time and again to end Medicare as we know it.

It’s clear which Party is focused on the future – and it sure isn’t Marco Rubio’s.
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