seafan's Journal - National Journal: 'Florida press were patsies for Marco Rubio.'

No, that would be the fawning media pundits on the national level and outside of Florida. Hey, guys, those kid gloves are wearing thin.

Adam C. Smith writes at Tampa Bay's The Buzz
March 08, 2012

National Journal has bumped Marco Rubio from number one to number two on its "veepstakes power rankings," putting Virginia Gov. the top slot. NJ said of Rubio: Rubio's biggest downside, and the reason he's dropped a spot in our rankings, is his good fortune in 2010. He skated into office without much of his past being vetted in the media. That would change in a hurry if he's tapped for the vice presidency, and coming four years after Sarah Palin had such trouble adjusting to harsh scrutiny, that's a very real concern for some Republicans. After all, Tallahassee has its own secrets. Rubio's team, to their credit, zealously guards their man's narrative -- but some Republicans worry about thrusting someone so young and untested onto the national stage.

He skated into office with little scrutiny from the Florida press. Nice. Just a wild guess here, but our hunch is National Journal Political Correspondent Beth Reinhard did not write that piece. After all, she covered the Rubio campaign for the Miami Herald in 2010, when the Rubio campaign barred her from their campaign bus.

No, National Journal, the Florida press were all over Marco Rubio, especially outstanding were the Tampa Bay Times and Tampa Tribune.

More than a few bloggers have been on the job as well.

The "Rubio vetting problem" that the National Journal suddenly notices, reflects the failings of TV punditry and national press who have gone out of their way to avoid talking about Rubio's long trail of deception.

To those people we say: if that link isn't sufficient, try a few of these.

Marco Rubio and the FLGOP Credit Card Scandal, February 27, 2010

Crist to Rubio (again): Release those tax returns (Thrasher protecting Rubio), April 19, 2010

U.S. attorney, IRS and FBI investigating Florida GOP credit card use, April 21, 2010

Dick Cheney endorses Rubio, April 22, 2010

Marco Rubio tied to another secret legislative deal during Florida House Speakership in 2007, September 2, 2010

Rubio denies responsibility for 'Taj Mahal' courthouse funding, September 16, 2010

Marco Rubio: 'No reason to release my earlier credit card statements.', September 17, 2010

Money matters follow Marco Rubio, while he preaches fiscal and personal responsibility, September 19, 2010

Tampa Tribune and St. Pete Times Editorials: 'Marco Rubio's credibility is at stake.', September 24, 2010

Tampa Tribune: Former supporter says Rubio used GOP credit card for home remodeling, September 23, 2010

E-mail names 'heroes' who got legislative funding for 'Taj Mahal' courthouse, September 23, 2010

Marco Rubio dances around question of fiscal responsibility hypocrisy on Face the Nation., September 28, 2010

Marco Rubio's biggest liability is the use of political donations to cover personal expenses., October 3, 2010

Marco Rubio touts American "exceptionalism" as a dog whistle to extremist elements of GOP, October 4, 2010

The Apprentice: Jeb Bush, the man behind Marco Rubio, October 23, 2010

Never forget: Marco Rubio voted to allow Jeb Bush to interfere in Terri Schiavo's privacy., October 29, 2010

Like Rick Scott, Rubio garnered less than 50% of the vote. But that won't stop the frenetic hype., January 1, 2011

Add Marco Rubio (R-FL) to the list of those who voted to end Medicare as we know it., May 25, 2011

‘There’s a Benedict Arnold feeling,’ says executive director of Hispanic civic engagement group., May 31, 2011

As Marco Rubio embraces national spotlight, he draws tougher scrutiny, September 14, 2011

Marco Rubio faces Hispanic critics: "He is a laughing stock in the Southwest" says GOP group founder, October 26, 2011

.....“so anti-immigrant, so xenophobic, so tied to the extremist right wing.”, October 26, 2011

NPR: Rubio Accuses Media Of Excess In Reporting Flaws In His Cuba Story, October 27, 2011

People do not like being lied to, Mr. Rubio., October 27, 2011

The Cuban American community represents only 3.5 percent of all Hispanics in the U. S., October 27, 2011

Marco Rubio's career is in trouble. That will teach Republicans to play ethnic politics., October 29, 2011

Rubio defends his amendment's attempt to restrict flights to Cuba from other FL cities except Miami, October 31, 2011

Rubio and Scott duck Florida's first tea party convention. Activist: "It's ... a slap in the face.", November 5, 2011

Marco Rubio heckled at Hispanic Leadership event for anti-immigration stances., January 31, 2012

Marco Rubio's bill imposes religious agenda in workplace (The war against women rages on.), February 2, 2012

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio urges Florida Ethics Commission to toss complaint against him, March 3, 2012

Rubio repeatedly blames others for his unresolved ethics charges., March 5, 2012

Rubio: "Our political opponents will be tempted to try to mischaracterize this process.", March 5, 2012

Here's another news flash for the Journal: Jeb Bush also has a long and dirty trail.

So, instead of knocking around the little games of "veepstakes", the Journal would better serve its readers by pulling its head out of the sand and doing some investigative journalism into the history of these two politicians.

It's ripe for the picking.