Stunning Survey: Rubio leads Vance 45% to 30% for 2028 — but ‘Steve Deace Show’ claims it’s largely a mirage

Marco Rubio Gains Momentum in 2028 Republican Race

According to a recent public opinion poll conducted by AtlasIntel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is gaining a significant lead over Vice President J.D. Vance for the 2028 Republican nomination, boasting 45% support compared to Vance’s 30%. This marks a notable shift, as Vance had previously been the frontrunner within the party. By December 2025, it’s projected that the gap could widen to 24 points.

On “The Steve Diace Show,” discussion centered around the implications of Rubio’s rise. Co-host Aaron McIntyre and Blaze News Editor-in-Chief Rob Eno explored the legitimacy of this “Rubio surge” and its potential impact on the MAGA movement. Diace questioned whether the excitement around Rubio’s increasing numbers is valid.

Elsen suggested that the rivalry between Vance and Rubio might just be a strategy to re-engage the base. “Both are capable individuals, but there are many more pressing issues than turning this into a sports commentary,” he noted, indicating that the movement often struggles to address its wider objectives.

Eno theorized that Rubio’s spike in support could partly stem from his heightened visibility. “Is it possible that Rubio’s profile has helped him gain traction? Sure. But with midterms approaching, does that matter? Perhaps not,” he suggested. He also pointed out that the voting demographics likely skew towards older Republicans, who might be more familiar with Rubio.

McIntyre expressed doubt about the extent of Rubio’s lead, saying, “I doubt that Marco has a substantial lead right now. It’s probably closer than many who favor Vance are willing to admit.” Diace expressed skepticism of the poll’s significance, suggesting it reflects broader dissatisfaction with the direction of the Trump administration rather than a true preference for either candidate.

He elaborated that Trump’s concentration on foreign policy—Rubio’s area—could be giving the latter an upper hand, while Vance deals with less favorable domestic concerns. Thus, this poll may not purely measure individual candidate support but the focus of the administration itself.

Both Diace and Eno highlighted a fundamental divide among conservatives regarding the interpretation of “America First.” “We’re still defining the base,” Deace remarked, reflecting on the lack of clarity over the movement’s current priorities.

The current political landscape within the Republican Party seems fractured, particularly as conservatives navigate different domestic and foreign policy priorities. “We’re spending significantly more political capital overseas, which is causing tension and division at home,” Deace added, summarizing the situation as one that reveals the pressing differences within party members about the path forward.