[caption id=”attachment_156443″ align=”aligncenter” width=”600″]Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. gets a hug from Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as he introduces him to speak at the Maytag Innovation Center in Newton, Iowa, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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Rep. Trey Gowdy of S.C. has endorsed Marco Rubio for president. Instead of acknowledging that the man has a right to endorse whomever he pleases, many detractors decried Gowdy’s decision and called him a RINO, or Republican In Name Only.
The Politistick pointed to a whole host of examples from Facebook and Twitter where Gowdy received negative attention. And, this was even before the decision was formally made.
Gowdy’s official endorsement came on Tuesday, though many had already been discussing the possibility of it for days. The Rubio campaign sent out no less than 2 e-mails to supporters about the announcement. Gowdy referred to Rubio as “a rock solid conservative and a leader we can trust.” He added that Rubio “is someone we can count on in Washington to stand true to his word.” Gowdy also got personal as he shared “I know from experience: that is hard to find in Washington.”
Fox News reported that Gowdy pointed to Rubio’s “strength and knowledge” of national security and public safety.
It’s ironic that Gowdy would be referred to as a RINO. Fox spoke with Professor Kendra Stewart of South Carolina’s College of Charleston:
“It has been in the news cycle for two days,” Stewart told FoxNews.com. “That’s free media. Candidates get a lot, but Trump has dominated that.”
She also pointed out that an endorsement from Gowdy, who is openly critical of the Washington political culture, is key in the 2016 anti-establishment environment.
“Candidates wouldn’t be too excited with an endorsement by John Boehner or Mitch McConnell,” Stewart said.
Rubio has many qualifications going for him. The polls show he could be the one to beat Hillary, particularly when it comes to millennials. He’s also, like Gowdy, should be considered anti-establishment. The first term Senator was referred to the Tea Party’s “Crown Prince” for the 2010 election and defeated Charlie Christ in his primary. If anyone is a RINO it’s the former Republican turned Independent and then Democrat.
If GOP voters want to win, specifically with sought after demographics like millennials and hispanics, they should cut the RINO name-calling and save it for those who really deserve it. Better yet, cut the name-calling all together and focus on winning.
