Hillary who?

With all due respect to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the presidential race has been defined by one political star this week: Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. American pundits say Rubio has what it takes to be the 45th president, although he still has some work to do if he wants to shed the image of a second-tier candidate among various voting groups.

Rubio put on a spectacular show when he launched his presidential bid on Monday in Miami. Rubio, who shines in the spotlight, was almost overcome with tears during his speech, especially when talking about his parents' journeys: His father was a bartender and his mother was a hotel maid. It is because of them that he could take the podium and declare his candidacy.

Rubio pulled no punches, even though his candidacy was just minutes old. Most of his swipes were aimed at former Senator Hillary Clinton, who had announced her candidacy 24 hours earlier. Unlike Clinton, who chose to announce her plans via social media, he preferred a cheering crowd. Rubio's speech was a world apart from her two-minute online video.

Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants, talked about a "New American Century."

"Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday began a campaign for president by promising to take us back to yesterday. Yesterday is over. And we're never going back," he said.

What exactly did he mean by "yesterday"? Perhaps his would-be opponent inside the GOP, 62-year-old Jeb Bush (the former governor of Florida) and, over at the Democratic Party, the 67-year-old Clinton.

Rubio chose Miami's iconic Freedom Tower as the venue for his announcement because of its symbolism. Freedom Tower served as a processing center for the throngs of refugees who arrived from Cuba during the 1960s and 1970s. There, they would receive free shelter, food and medical care.

Those refugees had fled Fidel Castro and his Communist regime. The fact that President Barack Obama is now actively courting that regime has not been lost on Rubio, who has voiced criticism of the thaw in relations.

The 43-year-old Rubio, who has only been a senator for four years, appeared on stage with his wife, Jeanette, and children.

The over-arching theme of Rubio's address was America's greatness: "After all, in many countries the highest office in the land is reserved for the rich and the powerful, but I live in an exceptional country. I live in an exceptional country where even the son of a bartender and a maid can have the same dreams. I live in an exceptional country where the son of a bartender and a maid can have the same dreams, and the same future as those who have come from power and privilege."

Even though this was his first speech as a candidate, he made sure to mention Israel and the bad nuclear deal with Iran. He talked about America's commitment to Israel. He also made mention of Iran and Cuba when criticizing Obama's foreign policy, but aside from those two countries, only Israel was mentioned.

Rubio is one of the most pro-Israel presidential hopefuls in today's America. And he has never tried to hide his view on the Jewish state. In fact, in an interview he gave shortly after his announcement, he referred to the recent nuclear framework deal with Iran, saying: "There should have been a clear recognition on their [Iran's] part that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state."

Pundits were enthused by his announcement speech. There is no denying that he offers a younger alternative to Clinton. And he ranks much higher when it comes to trustworthiness. They were just as awed by the way he articulated himself in the interviews following his announcement. Even liberal news outlets were impressed, albeit because of his choice of music (they found it hard to believe the conservative politicians listens to rap).

There is no doubt that the theme of Rubio's campaign will be America's future, and that is why he is highlighting his youthful vigor. He hopes this would make him be the candidate of the GOP mainstream. Have Republicans found their champion? It would be premature to make that call. The road to the White House is long. But he has great potential.

Unlike Rubio, Clinton began her first full day as a candidate with a road trip in her van. Reporters have dubbed it "Scooby."

Despite her online, almost virtual, announcement, the throngs of reporters following her every move are very real, tailgating her as she makes her way from New York to Iowa. But rather than speak with reporters, she is determined to engage in small talk with average Americans. As she said in her announcement, she wants to be their "champion."

Her campaign has striking similarities to the one run by French politician Segolene Royal in 2007, which focused on ordinary citizens. This strategy cost her dearly when she was crushed by Nicolas Sarkozy, who bested her to become French president.

Clinton began her first full day of campaigning at a Pennsylvania gas station, where she held a photo-op with a family. This was a success, unlike the images that emerged from her second stop, in Maumee, Ohio, which were broadcast non-stop in the networks, along with unreserved criticism. Clinton stopped at a Chipotle to order some Mexican fast food. She got a chicken burrito bowl. So far, so good. But things went downhill from there.

The security cameras shows Clinton letting her longtime aide Huma Abedin do the talking while she keeps a safe distance from the employees. Clinton has large sunglasses covering her eyes. This creates a disconnect. Her demeanor, and wardrobe choice, just don't blend in.

That she had two Secret Service agents and two aides next to her did not help either. No one seemed excited by the fact that the former first lady had made an unannounced appearance. Was it is just the sunglasses? When Chipotle manager Charles Wright was told over the phone that she had just left his establishment, he was sure he had answered a prank call.

The incredulous manager then took a look at the footage from his security cameras, and was ultimately convinced.

"The thing is, she has these dark sunglasses on," Wright said. "She just was another lady." He said she complemented her burrito bowl with a Blackberry Izze drink and a chicken salad.

"That's awesome that she was in here," Wright said. "We had Kevin Hart in here, we had a couple of sports players here and there; in little Maumee, we don't have too much going on." When asked if he would vote for her, he said he was a Republican and had no plans to change his affiliation.

The morning shows reported that Clinton wants to mingle with everyday Americans. But the Chipotle pit stop proves the exact opposite. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, would have posed for pictures with the entire Chipotle staff; a huge crowd would have lined up for autographs. But his wife came and went almost unnoticed.

Although the Israeli media has already decided that Clinton is the next White House occupant, things look different in America. She has come under heavy criticism for her conduct as secretary of state and as a presidential candidate. And things are going to get nastier in the months ahead. One thing is certain: She is a hard sell for those Americans who are looking at the future, even those who support her. Rubio, on the other hand, is a natural for that sales pitch.

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