Florida's  junior Senator Marco Rubio was tasked with giving the Republican  response to the State of the Union address by President Barack Obama.  Rubio opened his remarks refudiating the idea that government was the  answer to the nation's woes. The Senator also pointed out he was  fighting for his neighbors who were working class not millionaires and  was not the defender of the rich.

Rubio  went on to provide a decent speech making none of the lackluster  delivery gaffes of Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal a few years ago.  However, Rubio was no firebrand though presenting his response  reasonably well.

Like  the President, Rubio made an appeal to the middle class. Rubio likewise  noted that every American should have the opportunity to work hard and  reach for goals and aspirations.

The  Senator touched on the issues of immigration and education which the  President also spoke. Rubio seemed to hold out that both sides of the  aisle could and should work together on these issues.

Contrary  to the President's view, Rubio said that rather than helping the middle  class that often government does more harm than good.

Rubio  offered no specifics and laid out no grand plan, but he did make  himself, a Tea Party favorite, appear to be a sensible alternative to  independents and moderate Democrats. He came across as sane and  intelligent and not the wild-eyed right winger that many perceive are  all Republicans.

From  the Cornfield, while there was nothing in Rubio's remarks to make me  stand up and cheer, he did show why so many think that he is what the  Republican Party can and should be more like.