Washington (CNN) - South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint's office is downplaying a visit to the Palmetto State by Florida Senate contender Marco Rubio, dismissing the suggestion that the rising GOP star is eyeing an early foothold in a key presidential nominating state.
DeMint and Rubio, close political allies, have launched a new Web site – DeMintRubio.com - and are teaming up for a three-city tour of the state on March 15 to "promote common sense ideas and new conservative leadership."
Wesley Denton, communications director for DeMint, said the trip was added to shore up Rubio's campaign war chest against Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who still holds a significant fundraising advantage over his GOP primary opponent.
"Rubio is surging in the polls but Gov. Crist still has a big fundraising advantage," Denton told CNN in an e-mail. "Rubio wasn't the choice of the Washington establishment so he must continue building grassroots support.
"Senator DeMint is committed to helping Marco raise the resources needed to get his message out, which is why the Senator sponsored an online money bomb for Rubio this month and is planning the events in South Carolina in March," Denton said.
DeMint and Rubio will visit Charleston, Columbia and Greenville during the day-long trip, which is being promoted through "Friends of DeMint and Rubio," a joint fundraising committee established on behalf of DeMint's 2010 re-election bid and Rubio's campaign.
From CNN Politics
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He is a liar like all Republicans. They are anxious to get the black man out of office so their supporters will be happy to "take back America". Everyone of them are starting the run for the 2012 elections.
"Senator DeMint is committed .......
If they had stopped there, half the country would have been elated. Rubio wants to know how to keep his women quiet from the rest of the world - best taught by another republikkkan.
How funny can it get?Demint wants to be the new Jefferson Davis and Rubio wants to be the new president of Cuba.What a happy alliance that will be.Good luck fellas
nstead of focusing all of your time and energy into 2012, why don't you elected officials earn the money you are getting paid for todaY?
the dimwit from SC talking about rubio's presidential run? Rising from where, the ashes of the NO party?
This is about as bad as having the quitter on your side.
I LIVE in Florida and IF we had to have a Rethugllican in office, I'd rather it be Crist over Rubio ANYDAY!!!!
Rubio is a RightWing Radical. The retirement folks may like him and his TeaBagger ways, but the rest of us don't.
Why doesn't someone test Rubio's IQ? Honestly, the guy just looks so unintelligent. Nobody with an IQ below 130 should be allowed to run for public office or hold any position of public authority.
TWO "Rubes" in a poke....
So what's so surprising about the Reckless Republicans being too wrapped around thier shorts politicking that they actually are getting NOTHING done in congress.
Hey, TEA Party! If your so worried about taxes, how about these two rubes taking YOUR money to go on a road show!
Hows your car company doing Jim?
Rubio will make a fine US Senator. He is not considering a run for the presidency, CNN.
Can't wait to see Demint voted out.
Rubio associates with DeMint...that is trouble for Rubio.
DeMint = Joe McCarthy
Rubio = Minion
The Dumb and Dumber tour
Republican scumbags
Hi everyone, I am so sad that my hero, Barrack Obama, has turned his back on the people that elected him. We loved him during the election and now he truns out to be a big liar. Or maybe he is just dumb as mud.
Either way, I need to go take an Obama and wipe my Pelosi.
Rubio speaks for the Latino community! He is a conservative, just as we are. We hate it when Obama always includes us with the black community! We are nothing like the black community, when is the last time you have seen an all black landscaping crew, or construction crew, or any type of manual labor? My guess is that you never have, and never will because the black community is the minority group that represents entitlements and feel they are above manual labor. They would rather take government handouts and stay poor rather than work hard to get ahead in life. We voted for Bush because he and conservatives alike have hard working people in mind with their policies. All Obama wants to do is take everybody's tax dollars and give it to the black community. Rubio is the answer we latinos have been waiting for.
It will be interesting to see the spin on this. At least Obama waitied to get elected to the senate before using it as a jumping off spot.
People, they are all the same so stop putting the other party down.
Looks like dumb and dumber to me !!!
Rubio needs to find another Pal. DeMint will rub off on Rubio and they will both stink!!
Republicans have been had, Palin and now her daughter Bristol are using the Republican background for their own personal gains. It's never been about the party or Americans, it's always been all about the Palin clan. LOL
Politics, Politics, Politics, Politics, Politics, Politics, Politics! Is that All we are ever going to get in this country? If so, I'd like to get a Big Sign and stand out on some street frequently to start my begging for enough MONEY to relocate my family to Denmark – A Progressive, kind Country where the needs of citizens are the highest consideration instead of the last, like America! Donations gratefully Accepted. Would CNN please collect this for me? Thanks.
If I was Marco Rubio, the last person I would trust or want to be identified with is Jim DeMint!
Another example of the GOP's Civil War!
I guess Rubio is getting an education on how to obstruct the legislative process and how to put special interests and extreme ideology before the interests of his country. Demint is a disgrace to the Senate, and considering who is now serving there, that puts him in a unique category.