Synopses & Reviews
Pocos políticos han alcanzado una preeminencia a nivel nacional tan rápidamente como Marco Rubio. A sus cuarenta y un años de edad es objeto de un interés genera-lizado y de muchas especulaciones, pero nunca antes había contado en detalle la increíble historia que con todos sus giros y vueltas hizo de él un hijo americano. Esa historia empezó cuando sus padres salieron de Cuba en 1956. Una vez que Fidel Castro y su comunismo se tomaron el poder, Mario y Oria Rubio jamás pudieron regresar a su tierra natal. Pero adoptaron su nuevo país y enseñaron a sus hijos a agradecerle sus extraordinarias oportunidades. Cada sacrificio que hicieron durante todos esos años y los trabajos que pasaron en humildes oficios en Miami y Las Vegas, fue por sus hijos. De niño, Rubio pasaba horas y horas con su abuelo analizando la historia y los sucesos del momento. A “Papá” le fascinaba ser cubano, pero también le fascinaban los Estados Unidos por ser un modelo de libertad para los pueblos oprimidos de todo el mundo. Como dice Rubio: “Mi abuelo no pensaba que los Estados Unidos es un país excepcional por haberlo leído en un libro. Él lo experimentó y lo vio con sus propios ojos”. Destrozado por la muerte de su abuelo, Rubio empezó a obtener malas calificaciones al mismo tiempo que le costaba trabajo encajar en la escuela secundaria, donde algunos de sus condiscípulos lo ridiculizaban por ser “demasiado americano”. Sin embargo, impulsado por el fútbol americano y la política, sus dos grandes pasiones, ya en la universidad y en la escuela de leyes se dedicó a estudiar en serio. Habiendo jugado fútbol americano en una pequeña universidad en Missouri, regresó a la Florida para estudiar en el Santa Fe Community College y la Universidad de Florida. Obtuvo su título de abogado en la Universidad de Miami y entró a trabajar en un bufete de abogados con un salario excelente, que permitió que su padre se retirara. Siendo un joven abogado, se postuló como candidato para comisionado de la ciudad de West Miami, cargo que lo condujo a la Cámara de Representantes. En solo seis años llegó a ser Presidente de la Cámara y se convirtió en un destacado abanderado de la libre empresa, así como de la lucha por tener mejores escuelas, un gobierno constitucional y un sistema tributario más justo y simplificado. Descubrió entonces que podía relacionarse con la gente más allá de las barreras partidistas y mantener su respeto por los valores conservadores tradicionales. Su campaña para el Senado de los Estados Unidos contra Charlie Crist, para ese entonces popular gobernador de la Florida, se inició como una posibilidad muy remota. Sin dejarse desanimar, ni por las cifras de las primeras encuestas ni por el tiempo que debió permanecer alejado de su esposa e hijos, Rubio recorrió todo el estado con su mensaje de empoderamiento y optimismo. Y venció a Crist, tanto en la elección primaria como en una dramática elección general tripartita, después de que Crist abandonara el Gran Partido Republicano para postularse como independiente. Ahora, Rubio habla en los estrados nacionales sobre los retos que afrontamos y ese futuro mejor que podremos alcanzar si volvemos a nuestros principios fundadores. En sus propias palabras: “El conservatismo no busca retrasar a la gente. El conservatismo busca actualizar a la gente”. Con esa visión, igual que con la historia de su familia, Rubio ha demonstrado que el Sueño Americano aún tiene vigencia para aquellos que luchan por alcanzarlo.
Few politicians have risen to national prominence as quickly as Marco Rubio. At age forty-one he’s the subject of widespread interest and speculation. But he has never before told the full story of his unlikely journey, with all the twists and turns that made him an American son.That journey began when his parents first left Cuba in 1956. After Fidel Castro solidified his Communist grip on power, Mario and Oria Rubio could never again return to their homeland. But they embraced their new country and taught their children to appreciate its unique opportunities. Every sacrifice they made over the years, as they worked hard at blue-collar jobs in Miami and Las Vegas, was for their children.As a boy, Rubio spent countless hours with his grandfather, discussing history and current events. “Papa” loved being Cuban, but he also loved America for being a beacon of liberty to oppressed people around the world. As Rubio puts it, “My grandfather didn’t know America was exceptional because he read about it in a book. He lived it and saw it with his own eyes.”Devastated after his grandfather’s death, Rubio was getting poor grades and struggled to fit in at his high school, where some classmates mocked him as “too American.” But then he buckled down for college and law school, driven by his twin passions for football and politics. He played football at a small college in Missouri, then came back to Florida to attend Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Miami and took a job at a law firm, which paid him a handsome salary that allowed his father to retire.As a young attorney he ran for the West Miami City Commission, a role that led to the Florida House of Representatives. In just six years he rose to Speaker of the House and became a leading advocate for free enterprise, better schools, limited government, and a fairer, simpler tax system. He found that he could connect with people across party lines while still upholding conservative values.His U.S. Senate campaign started as an extreme long shot against Florida’s popular incumbent governor, Charlie Crist. Undaunted by the early poll numbers and the time away from his wife and kids, Rubio traveled the state with his message of empowerment and optimism. He upset Crist in both the primary and a dramatic three-way general election, after Crist quit the GOP to run as an independent.Now Rubio speaks on the national stage about the challenges we face and the better future that’s possible if we return to our founding principles. As he puts it, “Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about allowing people to catch up.”In that vision, as in his family’s story, Rubio proves that the American Dream is still alive for those who pursue it.
Review
andldquo;There arenandrsquo;t many people in America who have achieved as much as Marco has in his four decades. He is a rock-solid conservative, grounded by a foundation formed long ago. On that foundation, Marco has already built a shining career. But I suspect he is still building.andrdquo;andmdash;Jeb Bush, former governor of Floridaandnbsp;andldquo;His success is an affirmation of the sacrifices members of his parentsandrsquo; generation made so that their children could have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream . . . He shows insight into his flaws, analyzes professional and personal mistakes, and extols the virtues of bipartisan cooperation.andrdquo;andmdash;Kirkus Reviewsandnbsp;andldquo;This is a classic of its genre.andrdquo; andmdash;Gillian Tett, Financial Times
Review
andldquo;There arenandrsquo;t many people in America who have achieved as much as Marco has in his four decades. He is a rock-solid conservative, grounded by a foundation formed long ago. On that foundation, Marco has already built a shining career. But I suspect he is still building.andrdquo;andmdash;Jeb Bush, former governor of Floridaandnbsp;andldquo;His success is an affirmation of the sacrifices members of his parentsandrsquo; generation made so that their children could have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream . . . He shows insight into his flaws, analyzes professional and personal mistakes, and extols the virtues of bipartisan cooperation.andrdquo;andmdash;Kirkus Reviewsandnbsp;andldquo;This is a classic of its genre.andrdquo; andmdash;Gillian Tett, Financial Times
Synopsis
Few politicians have risen to national prominence as quickly as Marco Rubio. At age forty-one he’s the subject of widespread interest and speculation. But he has never before told the full story of his unlikely journey, with all the twists and turns that made him an American son.
That journey began when his parents first left Cuba in 1956. After Fidel Castro solidified his Communist grip on power, Mario and Oria Rubio could never again return to their homeland. But they embraced their new country and taught their children to appreciate its unique opportunities. Every sacrifice they made over the years, as they worked hard at blue-collar jobs in Miami and Las Vegas, was for their children.
As a boy, Rubio spent countless hours with his grandfather, discussing history and current events. “Papa” loved being Cuban, but he also loved America for being a beacon of liberty to oppressed people around the world. As Rubio puts it, “My grandfather didn’t know America was exceptional because he read about it in a book. He lived it and saw it with his own eyes.”
Devastated after his grandfather’s death, Rubio was getting poor grades and struggled to fit in at his high school, where some classmates mocked him as “too American.” But then he buckled down for college and law school, driven by his twin passions for football and politics. He played football at a small college in Missouri, then came back to Florida to attend Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Miami and took a job at a law firm, which paid him a handsome salary that allowed his father to retire.
As a young attorney he ran for the West Miami City Commission, a role that led to the Florida House of Representatives. In just six years he rose to Speaker of the House and became a leading advocate for free enterprise, better schools, limited government, and a fairer, simpler tax system. He found that he could connect with people across party lines while still upholding conservative values.
His U.S. Senate campaign started as an extreme long shot against Florida’s popular incumbent governor, Charlie Crist. Undaunted by the early poll numbers and the time away from his wife and kids, Rubio traveled the state with his message of empowerment and optimism. He upset Crist in both the primary and a dramatic three-way general election, after Crist quit the GOP to run as an independent.
Now Rubio speaks on the national stage about the challenges we face and the better future that’s possible if we return to our founding principles. As he puts it, “Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about allowing people to catch up.”
In that vision, as in his family’s story, Rubio proves that the American Dream is still alive for those who pursue it.
Synopsis
Few politicians have risen to national prominence as quickly as Marco Rubio. Here is the full story of his unlikely journey. and#160;
Florida Senator Marco Rubio electrified the 2012 Republican National Conand#173;vention by telling the story of his parents, who were struggling immigrants from Cuba. They embraced their new country and taught their children to appreciate its unique opportunities. Every sacrifice they made over the years, as they worked hard at blue-collar jobs in Miami and Las Vegas, was for their children.
and#160;
Young Marco grew up dreaming about football, not politics. In this fasand#173;cinating memoir, he reveals how he ended up running for the West Miami City Commission, and then the Florida House of Representatives. In just six years he rose to Speaker of the Florida House. He then won his U.S. Senate campaign as an extreme long shot.
and#160;
Now Rubio speaks on the national stage about the better future thatand#8217;s possible if we return to our founding principles. In that vision, as in his famand#173;ilyand#8217;s story, Rubio proves that the American Dream is still alive for those who pursue it.
About the Author
MARCO RUBIO fue miembro de la Cámara de Representantes de la Florida desde el año 2000 hasta el 2008 y fue elegido Senador de los Estados Unidos en el año 2010. Actualmente forma parte de los comités de Comercio, Ciencia y Transporte; Relaciones Exteriores; Inteligencia; y Pequeñas Empresas y Emprendimiento. Rubio y su esposa Jeanette tienen cuatro hijos pequeños y viven en West Miami.
MARCO RUBIO served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. His committee assignments currently include Commerce, Science and Transportation; Foreign Relations; Intelligence; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He and his wife, Jeanette, have four young children and live in West Miami.