The Rise of Marco Rubio

Fox News analyst Dick Morris opined that whoever wins the GOP nomination in 2012 "should choose [Marco Rubio] for vice president, no question," adding that, "Rubio is a superstar." Readers in search of an in-depth and unbiased look at the young, dynamic Republican senator from Florida will be rewarded by this well-researched biography from Washington Post reporter Roig-Franzia. The author expounds on Rubio's personal and family history, and deftly parses his political acumen, detailing Rubio's facility with Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube%E2%80%94social media his older colleagues struggle to employ gracefully. Roig-Franzia also incisively outlines what some see as his largest asset, namely, his Cuban heritage; indeed, Jeb Bush, a mentor of Rubio's, wrote that in terms of who will control "the White House and the Senate in 2013, Hispanic voters will represent the margin of victory." Whether Rubio is the key to that margin is still up in the air, and perhaps one of the most pressing questions is how Rubio will balance his Latino appeal with his party's hard-nosed immigration policy. Roig-Franzia is a veteran journalist and it shows%E2%80%94the writing here is crisp and the research thorough. Member of the Grand Old Party or no, readers will find plenty to root for or fear in Roig-Franzia's Rubio. (June)