Congratulations to Marco Rubio for receiving the Des Moines Register’s endorsement.

Even though I am not supporting Rubio, I thought the endorsement did nothing to make a compelling case for why he would be the best GOP candidate, as well as a great president.

In case you didn’t read the full article, Rubio was endorsed because he “has the potential to chart a new direction for the party, and perhaps the nation, with his message of restoring the American dream. We endorse him because he represents his party’s best hope.” That’s it?

The endorsement went on to assure readers that most Republicans “aren’t interested in rewarding a long resume this year.” Really?

Then, I’m not “most” Republicans, because I want a seasoned, steady-headed, experienced leader at the helm of the country in these crazy times.

The Register thinks impressive resumes and executive experience that Govs. John Kasich, Chris Christie, and Jeb Bush have are meaningless in 2016. I guess they think problems with our stalled economy, tanking retail sales, jittery stock market, terrorists infiltrating our borders, Social Security and Medicare programs that are going broke, and the $19 trillion debt can be managed with hope and eloquence alone.

The quirky “endorsement” reads like more of a smear job on Rubio, filled with a litany of his faults: A first-term senator, lacks experience compared to other candidates, and fails to show up to vote. They further question if Rubio would unite the party, save Social Security and Medicare, learn from his failed immigration snafu, and reduce the debt.

If they don’t know what he would do, why did they endorse him?

If you aren’t already a hard-core Marco fan, the Register’s endorsement won’t give you a reason to be. It might even be enough to make you run the other way. Perhaps that’s what it’s intended to do.

Whatever the case, the “endorsement” is peculiar. It reads as though Rubio doesn’t have the best qualifications in the GOP field but “at his best” he does have hope and an uplifting message. That sounds vaguely familiar to 2008 and 2012 . . .

Endorsements in the long run don’t make much difference. But the Register could have done better for Rubio, and I’m not sure why they didn’t.