AH, SOMETHING FOR THE BUZZ – AT 9:24 P.M. ET:  The hottest property in the Republican Party right now is newly minted Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.  He is literally everyone's choice for V.P. on the GOP's 2012 ticket.

But only V.P.?

I can report some internet buzz, based on informed speculation, that Rubio might just pull an Obama, skipping the vice presidential slot and trying for the top spot. And note this:

After Marco Rubio’s win in the Florida Senate race, he and his wife bolted to Israel.

Is this a sign that the Republican — and speculated possible vice presidential candidate in 2012 — is making an attempt to bone up on his foreign policy credentials?

Rubio’s spokesman, Alex Burgos, downplayed the trip’s importance: “It was a personal vacation with his wife Jeanette. There were no official meetings.”

Asked about prior travel outside the country, the spokesman said Rubio has spent some time out of the United States before the Israel trip, though mostly in Latin America and in the Caribbean. This was his first trip to Israel.

Burgos said Rubio “hopes to return [to Israel] early next year in an official capacity as senator.”

COMMENT:  Political observers caution against reading too much into the trip, but it makes sense for Rubio to polish his credentials and establish his gravitas, just in case a party looking for a star turns to him in 2012.  He's a very smart guy, and has been speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. 

The inexperience factor could hardly be used against Rubio by the Democrats, who gave us Barack "Amateurs have more fun" Obama in 2008. 

I think there's going to be a substantial undercurrent of interest in Rubio's going for the top spot.  He brings substantial advantages.  As a Hispanic, a Cuban-American, he sews up Florida immediately, a major gain for the GOP.  And he would certainly cut into the traditionally Democratic Hispanic vote.

This is all theory, but keep an eye on Marco.

November 18, 2010