White House insiders see Rubio on the rise as a potential 2028 pick - Politico

Some of President Donald Trump's closest allies are increasingly seeing US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a serious contender for the 2028 presidential election - this recognition of the Floridian's skillful approach to resolving foreign conflicts and his ability to avoid political traps, Politico reports, writes UNN.

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This, the publication writes, is a striking turnaround for a politician once considered "too hawkish, too conservative, and too scarred by the failure of his 2016 presidential campaign" to matter in the Republican Party after Trump. But his work in toppling Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and his unwavering loyalty to Trump have strengthened his position in the White House - and among some MAGA voters, the publication notes.

Rubio has stated that he will not challenge Vance for the nomination, and it remains to be seen whether his shift to MAGA politics can win over a majority of Trump's supporters if he does run, the publication notes.

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Currently, as stated, his growing number of admirers in the president's inner circle "describe Rubio's late embrace of Trumpism as a favorable argument." Trump loves the zeal of a convert, and this is a pleasant contrast to some old-school Republican elites who shunned the party or avoided Washington instead of reconciling with the president, the publication writes.

"JD Vance is a fantastic vice president, and Marco Rubio is an excellent secretary of state," Trump adviser Alex Bruzewitz said. "[Rubio] could have gone one of two ways after the 2016 campaign. He could have gone the John Kasich route and started suffering from Trump derangement syndrome, vanishing into the abyss," Bruzewitz said, referring to the former Ohio governor who ran against Trump in 2016 and supported Joe Biden in 2020.

Rubio, according to Bruzewitz, "chose the path of embracing MAGA and became one of the most loyal allies and proponents of MAGA."

An anonymous White House official described Rubio as "loyal, incredibly smart, eloquent, and very experienced," adding that he is a "winner."

Trump has not yet endorsed a successor, and his opinion could prove decisive, the publication notes.

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If Rubio ran against Vance or someone else, he would have to overcome the transition from cabinet member to candidate – a leap that in recent years has sidelined many popular figures from both parties, the publication notes.

However, a CPAC poll conducted last month showed a sharp rise in Rubio's popularity – to 35 percent compared to 3 percent last year. Vance, meanwhile, has lost ground from last year's 61 percent, though he still confidently leads with 53 percent. YouGov polls show a similar trend: in April, Vance topped the list of potential Republican candidates with 63 percent of the vote, Rubio with 42 percent, while in September those figures were 65 percent for Vance and 33 percent for Rubio.

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Rubio has not displaced Vance from Trump's list of candidates, but conversations in the West Wing include the secretary of state as a viable option for Trump's successor

Among them is a growing number of Rubio admirers at the highest levels of the Trump administration, who were previously reluctant to discuss 2028 election prospects until the midterm elections approached - and final presidential approval.

Most of them describe Rubio as an experienced politician whose dual roles as secretary of state and chairman of the US National Security Council naturally place him at the center of making the most important decisions. But perhaps his greatest advantage has been his physical proximity to Trump, the publication writes.

"Thanks to this dual role, he has had many opportunities to communicate with the president and Trump's supporters. This has been hugely important for him," said Sean Spicer, White House press secretary during Trump's first term.

White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly declined to comment directly on Rubio's chances in the 2028 election. Responding to a question about Rubio's rising popularity in polls, Kelly said he is "doing an incredible job combining the roles of national security adviser and secretary of state. His dual duties help him better understand the president's priorities and implement them within our foreign policy apparatus."

Part of Rubio's rise, the publication writes, is also the key role he has played in the administration's new powerful policy toward the Western Hemisphere. He has been actively involved in issues of strikes against alleged drug cartels and operations in Venezuela and Cuba, which contrasts with the protracted affair that the war in Iran has become, the publication writes.

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According to a second White House official, Rubio coordinated post-operation action planning, uniting efforts with other agencies, including the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, and, to a lesser extent, the Department of Commerce to develop a regional economic development plan.

Rubio has also been outspoken on immigration issues, revoking green cards from foreign nationals linked to Iran and Palestinian officials. He has canceled thousands of student visas and introduced a "one strike" policy that allows the US State Department to revoke visas from anyone who violates US law or supports terrorism.

Another point in Rubio's favor: avoiding scandals and viral moments that overshadow or embarrass the boss, the publication notes. He has also never been accused of contradicting Trump, for example, in insufficient "enthusiasm" for Trump's Iran policy.

Growing support from inside the White House and loyal MAGA members means that if Trump backed Rubio, he would not be a stranger and would not start from scratch in relations with Trump's electorate. Of course, Rubio has stated that he will not challenge Vance in the primaries, so the US vice president would have to step aside for Rubio to become the candidate, assuming that promise is kept, the publication notes.

"Trump can soften their position on any issue," said a Midwestern Republican political strategist familiar with Vance's team, who later became a big Rubio fan. "There's no reason why the increasingly popular secretary of state couldn't be elevated to the top job if Trump backed him."

Some on the right, however, as the publication notes, remain wary of his past hawkish foreign policy goals. His personality and ability to attract voters are another factor.

"Decision makers within the party and donors believe he’s MAGA enough to get voters. He speaks MAGA but he’s much more of an establishment Republican … cut taxes, build the military old school Republicanism," said Steve Cortes, former Trump adviser. "I don't think that works in the populist era. I don't think it will interest voters."

Other die-hard MAGA supporters reject the idea that Rubio doesn't deserve his fame.

Meanwhile, a former White House official accused anonymous Rubio supporters in the White House of trying to create internal conflicts, stating: "There's literally no point in running to the press to talk about 2028 prospects except to create unnecessary drama and division."

A second senior White House official said Rubio benefits from his proximity to the White House provided by his role as NSA adviser: he has an office in the West Wing, ensuring easy access to Trump, which can help shape the president's worldview. "Everyone loves Rubio, he's very self-assured, very competent, and very relaxed. This is a guy who's juggling multiple jobs in the administration and on the world stage, and [he's] just doing great," the second senior White House official said. "2016 Rubio was a bit tense, a bit serious, took himself seriously. 2026 Rubio seems to know he has nothing to prove."

The second White House official said the affability extends to Rubio's staff, noting that they are team players who communicate with others and feel comfortable collaborating.

Allies also see Rubio's disciplined communication as a key asset, particularly his ability to promote controversial military operations in Venezuela and Iran, framing them in "America First" terminology.

"He very well combines normalcy, common sense, and a bit of Trump/MAGA style," a Republican Party staffer close to the White House wrote in a text message. "He knows how to rationalize those who might be angry. At least, he does it best. He's just a very skilled representative of the president."

Although Rubio has achieved certain significant successes, Vance remains the frontrunner. He leads in polls, takes policy seriously, and has many allies inside and outside the administration, including Donald Trump Jr. and wealthy Elon Musk, the publication notes.

Insiders also acknowledge that Rubio has to decide if he even wants the presidency. "People definitely like him, but ultimately, Marco has to decide if he wants it," said a person who knows Rubio personally.

And Trump, who will be key among the decision-makers in the primaries that are still two years away, is unlikely to make a final choice before the November midterms, the publication writes.

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