MARCH 2011: RUBIO CALLED FOR IMMEDIATE U.S. MILITARY INTERVENTION IN LIBYA Rubio Echoed Senator John Kerry’s Call For Immediate U.S. Military Intervention In Libya. “In a debate that is so far defying party lines, senators on Thursday voiced starkly opposing views of the wisdom of potential American intervention in Libya. The deepening rift was put in sharp relief at a Foreign Relations Committee hearing where senators discussed possible U.S. participation in a ‘no fly’ zone over Libya -- which is essentially in the throes of a fierce civil war -- and debated whether intervention is truly in the U.S. national interest. In a reversal of traditional party tendencies, it was Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., who made the strong call for immediate military intervention, saying in his opening statement that ‘the international community cannot simply watch from the sidelines as the Libyan people's quest for democratic reform is met with violence.’ Robert Menendez, D-N.J., and freshman Marco Rubio, R-Fla., echoed his call. … Menendez and Rubio pushed William J. Burns, undersecretary of State for political affairs, even more forcefully on potential U.S. action and why our government has yet to intervene.” [Congressional Quarterly Today, 3/17/11] APRIL 2011: RUBIO WANTED THE U.S. TO GO BEYOND OBAMA’S GOALS IN LIBYA Rubio Called For Further Wading Into The Libyan Conflict. “Outside the Capitol, hundreds of tea party activists rallied Thursday to pressure congressional Republicans to cut the budget to the bone. Inside, one of the movement's heroes, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, was calling for the U.S. to expand its already costly mission in Libya. These potentially competing interests are poised to shape the early stages of the 2012 presidential election in still-unpredictable ways. While tea party activists are trying to maintain a singular focus on taming the deficit, a growing number of Republicans, including former presidential nominee John McCain, are urging the U.S. to wade deeper into a conflict that's topped $600 million. It's a clash of quintessential GOP themes cutting government spending vs. getting tough on terrorists that's forcing presidential contenders to redefine in a rapidly changing world what it means to be a Republican.” [National Journal, 4/2/11] Rubio Said Congress Should Go Beyond President Obama’s State Goals In Libya And Authorize The Removal Of Gadhafi. “While many Republicans have questioned U.S. military strikes in Libya and the Obama administration has emphasized limits on America's role, freshman GOP Sen. Marco Rubio says Congress should go beyond President Obama's stated goals and authorize the removal of Moammar Gadhafi.” [Palm Beach Post, 4/1/11] Rubio Began Calling For Stronger Action Against Libya Early On. “Rubio has been calling for strong U.S. involvement in Libya since February, shortly after Gadhafi began cracking down on citizens who took to the streets to protest his regime. More than three weeks before the March 19 launch of airstrikes in Libya by the U.S. and other nations, Rubio accused Obama of an ‘inadequate’ response and said the U.S. should consider a no-fly zone to prevent Gadhafi from launching air attacks on citizens. Rubio's call for toppling Gadhafi drew a skeptical response…from U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. ‘Before I would agree with Rubio on that -- and maybe Rubio's right -- we need to have a long, serious, sober debate about the pros and cons of why we are in Libya,’ Rooney said. ‘During that time I maybe can be convinced that Libya is in our vital national interest. At this point, it's a huge question mark.’” [Palm Beach Post, 4/1/11] SEPTEMBER 2011: RUBIO PUSHED FOR MORE U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN LIBYA THAN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WANTED Rubio Pushed For More U.S. Involvement In Libya Than The Obama Administration Was Willing. “A report by the website Malta Today said the senators expressed thanks for Malta's role in assisting the evacuation of hundreds of American citizens from Libya during the uprising in February. Rubio backed the U.S. engagement in Libya and pushed for more involvement than the Obama administration was willing. The effort comes as other Republicans have called for a lower U.S. military presence abroad due to cost issues. Rubio, a member of the foreign relations committee, has said he has a strong interest in world issues -- an interest that would seem to dovetail with his political ambitions.” [Herald/Times blog, 9/29/11] DECEMBER 2014: RUBIO BLAMED THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT SUPPORTING THE NASCENT LIBYAN GOVERNMENT AFTER GADHAFI’S OVERTHROW Rubio: “Not Adequately Supporting The Nascent Libyan Government Following The 2011 Removal Of Moammar [Gadhafi] Was A Key Failure Of The Obama Administration.” “Additionally, the U.S. military should increase capacity- building and training efforts for willing governments that need our support. Not adequately supporting the nascent Libyan government following the 2011 removal of Moammar Gaddafi was a key failure of the Obama administration.” [Marco Rubio, Washington Post, 12/11/14] RUBIO SAID THE U.S. GOT INVOLVED TOO LATE IN LIBYA DURING THE REVOLUTION MARCH 2011