The “traditional values” voter may feel like the most alienated person in a culture where it seems socially acceptable to call him or her a bigot. Marco Rubio has this constituent in mind as he seeks to gain momentum in the 2016 election. In his newest ad, entitled “About,” the Florida senator shares his intent to stand up for Americans who dare to promote social conservatism.
"This election is about the essence of America," Rubio says. "About all of us who feel out of place in our own country."
"A government incredibly out of touch, and millions with traditional values branded bigots and haters."
Individuals who fit into this category include those who are opposed to same-sex marriage, are pro-life, and believe in the right to religious freedom.
Rubio has some competition in his effort to win over traditional values voters, however. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) recently earned the endorsement of the National Organization for Marriage, as his campaign alerted supporters in an email Friday:
“Sen. Ted Cruz is a proven champion for marriage and religious freedom and someone we can absolutely count on to fight to restore marriage to our nation's laws and defend the religious liberty of the tens of millions of Americans who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman," said Brian Brown, NOM's president.
Cruz was also one of only two candidates, the other being Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR), to stand by Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis’ side when she was released from prison after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She was heralded by supporters as a Christian hero for standing up for her religious beliefs despite the Obergefelle v. Hodges decision that gave homosexual couples the national right to marry.
If it does come down to Rubio and Cruz, as some media pundits are predicting, will the traditional values base be a deciding factor?