(CNN) – Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, widely speculated to be a top pick for the Republican presidential running mate, once again firmly denied he would join the GOP ticket.
"I'm not going to be the vice president," Rubio said Friday in an interview with CNN en Español's Ismael Cala. "I'm not."
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Last month, Rubio rolled out a big endorsement for Mitt Romney, adding fuel to the fire in talks over whether Rubio, whose parents emigrated from Cuba, would possibly be tapped for the Republican veep spot. Rubio, however, has repeatedly shot down the notion.
With Latino-Americans becoming a more influential voting bloc, politicians are increasingly growing more aggressive in their efforts to court their votes. But the junior senator argued Friday that choosing him as a running mate would not do the trick.
"I'll tell you, the Hispanic vote has to be earned," he said. "You can't just put somebody on there and say, 'This is gonna deliver it.' You've got to earn it, and primarily I think you earn it through economic policies."
Elected in 2010, Rubio was dubbed early on a rising star in GOP. He's known for bucking popular policies within the Latino community, such as the DREAM Act, a proposal that would grant a path to citizenship for minors in the country illegally, providing they served in the armed forces or attended college.
Instead, he sides with positions more inline with the Republican platform on immigration.
"I think a better approach is the one I've talked about, and that is providing these kids some sort of non-immigrant visa status so they can continue to study and then work in the U.S.," Rubio said. "Then at some point in the future they would be able to get in line, same line as everybody else in the world."
Asked if he was setting aside a vice presidential spot in hopes of aiming for higher office in the future, Rubio said: "Well I haven't thought about that in that way. I don't know what the future holds. I want to do a good job as a U.S. senator.
"I think if I do that, I'll have opportunities to do different things in future."
Also see:
Former AG Gonzales: Rubio not a wise VP pick
Obama talks taxes, Republicans energy in weekly addresses
From CNN Politics
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Rubio was born in Miami, Florida. He's 40 years old. Therefore, he meets the requirements to be Vice President, and also President, of the United States.
Well he lied to everyone to get his current job. I am sorry but he definatly does not cut the mustard and will never get further than he is at now.
Got that right.
Of course he won't be vice president. But he could just end all speculation if he would say that he won't be on the republican ticket as vice president.
He will be VP if Obama chooses him instead of Biden. Rubio doesn't want to board a sinking ship.
So Barry, what great things are you going to accomplish that you could't get done when you had a super majority?
MOOS?
Isn't Rubio's real reason for backing out or backing down from the VP spot is due to Rubio's conversion to Mormonism two years ago? After all, Hispanic Catholics are not crazy about those who leave the faith for "cult" religions! Also, isn't the GOP under a "one mormon only" rule? Isn't that why John Huntsman dropped out of the GOP race?
You notice that he didn't say he would not accept VP if that other character Romney picked him though. He is just being coy in case what's his face doesn't pick him for his VP! You can bet he would accept it!
I am NOT going to be Willard’s V.P.!
I do not really think Republican'ts are lining up for this odious job, even if they all would really want the POWER!
Could THIS man (born to communists) be the REAL Manchurian candidate (groomed by his peers and not quite ready yet)?
Just saying.........................
And just like that Romney's current 14% favor ability among Hispanics becomes his death knell. Perhaps an immigration policy other than "self deportation" would help.
........See............This PROVES that Hispanic people are SMARTER than the average gop te ab ba ger, realizing this monstrosity of the RADICAL RIGHT has NO CHANCE in November. Rubio will have to duke it out with Ryan for Christie's VP slot in 2016. This moderate DEM could vote that ticket.....IF.........Christie jettisons the extreme RADICAL RIGHT and moves the gop back into the middle of the bell curve of voters, and reemerges as the GRAND OLD PARTY that won, and did great things in the past.
Senator Rubio looks intelligent proves it by not wanting the VP job.
Well at least he's being realistic about the GOP's chances of winning this election.
Besides...he's too busy making laws like the one that ended the life of Trayvon Martin.
He may as well have pulled the trigger himself.
Doesn't make sense for Rubio to risk his political career as running mate of a loser like Severely Conservative Romney, the Great Flip Flopper.
Does he look nice from behind in a skirt and heels?
That's what they looked for last time.
Rubio is a Tea Party nutjob. He is bad for us here in Florida, and he would be dangerous for the country.
Excuse me! He was born in Miami, to ILLEGALS. NEITHER of his parents were US Citizens, therefore he can NOT be the VP or PREZ.
And having lived in FL, I wouldn't vote for him anyway. His policies and ideas suck
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." James Montgomery Scott, another foreigner, said that. Having learned our lesson the first time, we can't let this guy get anywhere near the Presidency until Donald Trump has seen and personally approved his birth certificate . . . and not just the short form, either.
That's right, and Mittens won't be Pres. either. What else is news?
Finally something I can agree on with Rubio.
As a Hispanic, I would be more turned off by Republicans if Marco Rubio is in the ticket. Anyone that betrays his own people is a disgrace. Just because you are a politician, that doesn't make it okay to betray your own. Sellout!!!
The ONLY reason that Rubio is refusing the Vice President`s role, is that he would have to show his Birth Certificate. I have lived in Florida many years and have asked him for his Birth Certificate, and he has ignored that subject.
Why would Rubio sign onto a losing ticket that will make him look like a fool? Romney is already embarrassing himself with his constant pandering and postion-changing policies. He is no leader, just a master liar. No Republican wants to be near him or associated with him since he is going to lose in the worst landslide in Republican history. Romney is going to have a VERY hard time finding anyone who will stand on a stage with him. He is a joke.
Good. You are nothing but a liar and a fake. (You could look it up.)