At least 14 Republicans have said they’re running for president in 2016, and at least two others could soon join the race.
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The US risks missing innovation opportunities if it doesn’t move to a “revolutionized higher education system” to better prepare workers, Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio is expected to say in a speech Tuesday in Chicago. Unlike some plans floated by Rubio’s rivals, his plan would not significantly lower the top-tier income tax rates, though it would cut the corporate tax rate. Hillary Clinton argues the economy is rigged in favor of wealthy interests – but what she won’t tell you is that big government is doing the rigging.
“The race for the future will never be won by going backward”.
Marco Rubio has branded his candidacy as being all about the “New American Century”, and how he as a 44-year-old legislator has both the wisdom and the intelligence to be the man to lead us in these economically confusing and challenging times.
The Florida Republican has crafted an image as a younger alternative to Hillary Clinton – which he continued Tuesday with jabs at “Clinton’s time machine to yesterday” – but also implicitly contrasts himself with another frontrunner, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
He vowed to establish a new accreditation process within his first 100 days in office that would be more welcoming to new players. The highlight of his remarks was a denunciation of the US higher education system, which he characterized as more interested in making money than in educating students.
“We need to change how we provide degrees, how those degrees are accessed, how much that access costs, how those costs are paid, and even how those payments are determined”, he declared.
It also was an opportunity for Rubio to expound on what has become the central theme of his candidacy: preparing America for a future that will be shaped by the forces of globalization, automation, and rapid technological change. The digital hub is full of entrepreneurs chasing their dreams, and millennials facing significant student loan debt.
“It would let students partner with investors who would pay their tuition in return for a percentage of their earnings for a few years after graduation”. He reiterated his opposition to so-called net neutrality, which would prevent Internet service providers from setting different download speeds for different types of content.
But Rubio’s speech wasn’t all Hillary disses and tough talk.
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With his Cuban-American background, youth and compelling biography, Rubio, 44, has always been viewed by campaign analysts as one candidate in the ever-growing field who could break out from the pack.
