But, as we’ve learned painfully over the past seven years, soaring oratory does not ensure an effective presidency. Sound philosophy is the first step to success in the White House, and Rubio’s belief in self-reliance, limited government, free enterprise, constitutional integrity, and a strong national defense is encouraging. His insistence on border control before immigration reform is pragmatic and reasonable. We are pleased that he avoids Trump’s overkill on this issue. Rubio’s tax plan, which has drawn some criticism from Wall Street because of its substantial cuts for families with children, is admirable for its focus on growth, work and simplification. His experience on the Senate Armed Services Committee makes him better prepared than his Republican competitors to serve as commander-in-chief, as does his unabashed belief that America remains the essential nation, the leader upon which global peace and freedom rest. In this respect, he is a disciple of Reagan.

The most serious concern raised about Rubio is that he lacks experience, though his tenure in the Senate is only two years less than John F. Kennedy’s when he was elected president. He has far more experience in elected office than did Abraham Lincoln or Teddy Roosevelt. As a state legislator, Rubio quickly rose in the leadership and served as speaker of the Florida House. Barack Obama, by contrast, remained a back-bencher in the Illinois legislature. Rubio’s worst moment in this year’s campaign came in the New Hampshire debate, when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie rattled him, prompting several repetitive, non sequitur responses from Rubio. But after that rough start, the Florida senator recovered and performed well the rest of the evening. His strongest effort of the campaign came during the very next debate, in South Carolina. After his weak finish in the New Hampshire primary, he told his followers, “Our disappointment is not on you, it’s on me. I did not do well on Saturday night (at the debate). That will never happen again.” Hard to imagine Trump, Cruz, Obama or Hillary Clinton making that statement. Rubio has adjusted, taken a punch and kept punching, demonstrated the flexibility to improvise under pressure. We believe this offers encouraging clues about his leadership skills.