Hillary launch ups pressure on Rubio

The Florida Republican decided weeks ago that Monday afternoon was his time — the moment to reveal his 2016 plans. Rubio’s selection of a Miami announcement and choice of the Magic City’s iconic Freedom Tower as his venue suggested a sparkling event for the young senator.

Then, late this week, word leaked out that Clinton would announce at the weekend and that the instant Democratic frontrunner would then hit the campaign trail without breaking stride. The former secretary of state, 67, is considered her party’s probable nominee with virtually no primary challenger in her way. Rubio, 43, is viewed as a top tier candidate, but must fight his way through a crowd of heavyweights that includes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Team Rubio does not look concerned about Clinton’s timing. The senator and his supporters apparently relish the generational and policy contrasts offered by the simultaneous news coverage of the Clinton and Rubio rollouts. He aims to be the last Republican standing against Clinton a year from now. Democratic and Republican communications professionals told the Washington Examiner that the back-to-back openings carry risks and rewards for him.

“Rubio will get his time, too, and I don’t think he’ll be overshadowed too much — some, yes,” said a Republican strategist, who requested anonymity in order to speak candidly. “But it’s also not a bad contrast for him to be out there at the same time; young, dynamic energy versus old Hillary.”

Jim Manley, a veteran Democratic communications advisor, added, “Her announcing on Sunday will step on Sen. Rubio’s announcement a bit, especially when it comes to the mainstream media. But more and more, this stuff is fought on social media as well, where I assume he will do quite well.”

Rubio is expected to forgo re-election to the Senate and declare for president on Monday in downtown Miami. He’ll launch before a crowd of supporters at the Freedom Tower, which was once used to process Cuban immigrants. It’s a backdrop ripe with symbolism for the Cuban-American senator, whose parents were born in Cuba and came to the United States as poor immigrants. Rubio would be the first Hispanic to lead a major party ticket if he wins the Republican nomination. The former speaker of the Florida state house was elected to the Senate in 2010.

Many news reports have confirmed that Clinton will announce for the presidency on Sunday with a video message on social media, then head out to Iowa and New Hampshire, hosts of the first and second Democratic nominating contests. Clinton would be the first woman to lead a major party ticket, if she wins the Democratic nomination. President Obama, then an Illinois senator, defeated Clinton in the 2008 primary during her first run for the White House.

The danger for Rubio in the timing of the two announcements is that a mainstream media in thrall to all things Clinton, and trailing her out to the crucial early states, could downgrade his event to make room for wall-to-wall coverage of the former first lady. The launch of her 2016 campaign has been highly anticipated, particularly because she has kept such a low profile until now.

There is only so much airtime and appetite for presidential rollouts. Now, Rubio has to share a spotlight that can elevate a candidate’s profile, boost fundraising and provide a bounce in the polls. Significantly-diminished attention could result in unfavorable comparisons to the other two senators who have begun presidential campaigns in recent days, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Each announced without having to compete for attention; Cruz benefited with $4 million in contributions during his first week and markedly higher poll numbers.

“If Rubio announces his candidacy on Monday, he will cut into the coverage of Clinton’s candidacy, but still runs the risk that he gets less exposure than if he were to wait until Wednesday or Thursday,” a GOP public relations adviser warned.

There also is tremendous upside for Rubio. The first-term senator plans to run for president as a new-generation candidate uniquely suited to lead in a new era beset by challenges. Rubio’s platform also involves heavy focus on foreign affairs and national security, which lately have become his political calling card.

The Floridian has been highly critical of President Obama’s foreign policy. Rubio has called for reversing an Obama/Clinton foreign policy that Republicans view as too deferential to adversaries, in favor of a more aggressive global posture. Announcing for president virtually in tandem with the president’s first secretary of state could raise his stature and magnify his foreign policy pitch. In essence, Rubio could garner a fresh look from even more voters than had he had the moment to himself.

Ari Fleischer, a public relations consultant and former press secretary to President George W. Bush, the brother of Jeb Bush, said Rubio could turn the tables on Clinton. The senator already stands to be among the most prominently featured Republicans in the news on Sunday and Monday, days one and two of Clinton’s presidential campaign. That provides him with a unique opportunity to steer more attention to his announcement.

Fleischer said it’s important for roll out speeches to be “big and lofty” and focus on the candidate rather than his or her opponents. But, he added: “There is room to have one clever reference to Hillary that commands attention.”

“The smart thing for Rubio to do would be to make sure he has something sufficiently newsworthy about Hillary in his announcement,” Fleischer added.