Rubio endorses Romney, argues GOP should 'come together'
(CNN) – Marco Rubio, a senator whose name was floated first as a possible presidential, then vice presidential candidate, on Wednesday made an endorsement in the presidential race, saying, "It's evidently and increasingly clear that Mitt Romney is going to become the Republican nominee."
"We have to come together behind who I think has earned the nomination, and that's Mitt Romney," Rubio said of the former Massachusetts governor in an appearance on Fox News.
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The primary process has been "very good," Rubio said, and the candidates "have a lot to be proud of."
"But I think we are at a stage where two of the candidates have openly admitted, the only way they can win a nomination is to have a floor fight in Tampa in August," Rubio said. "I don't think there is anything good about that. There is no way that a floor fight at the convention in Tampa in August is a recipe for a win in November. On the contrary, I think it's a recipe for disaster."
Rubio, a first term U.S. senator and tea party favorite who previously served a decade in the Florida state House, has repeatedly discouraged suggestions that he would join the GOP ticket. In the interview, he said he and Romney have talked, but "never about vice president, or anything like that." It is a suggestion he downplayed in an earlier interview.
"I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee but I'm always flattered when people bring it up," he said Wednesday afternoon on MSNBC. "I think they mean it as a compliment."
It is a ticket that another Romney endorser and Floridian would like to see. Former Gov. Jeb Bush, who is described as a mentor of Rubio, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review earlier this month that Rubio is the "best orator of American politics today, a good family man."
Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, is to endorse Romney on Thursday.
Romney thanked Rubio for the endorsement in a statement e-mailed to reporters.
"Marco Rubio is living proof that the American dream is still very much alive," said Mitt Romney. "From humble origins, he has risen to become one of the brightest lights in our political party. He has been a leading voice in the U.S. Senate and the country for the cause of restoring American greatness. He knows that the way forward is to end excessive regulations, shrink government, and get our economy growing. He understands that the way to strengthen our communities is to strengthen our families. He recognizes the dangers that will face America if we fail to maintain our military power. He understands how critical it is to bring new leadership to the White House."
Ahead of the Florida primary in January, Rubio would not predict a winner, but did say he expected the victor in his state to eventually be the nominee.
"I'm not going to speculate as to who's going to win," Rubio told CNN's Soledad O'Brien then. "Here's what I'm comfortable saying. I think the winner of Florida is in all likelihood going to be the nominee of our party. Florida is a mini-America. Virtually every issue we want them to be conversant on is a discussion we've had in Florida."
Romney went on to win the Sunshine state with a 14-point win over former House speaker Newt Gingrich, and per state party rules, all 50 delegates.
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I hope the seniors in Fl. have brains enough to know the rep. are going to screw them as allways.
gee... didn't see that one coming. Why didn't he show some nads and endorse him right at the "win" in Florida? Just waiting to see who was actually going to be the front runner? If it was Santorum he would have endorsed him.
Yeah. A fact fabricator endorses another fact fabricator.
Rubio....What can you say about his anti health insurance... attitude?
Who's endorsing ginGRINCH and Santorum???? NO ONE – So why are they still in the race – Don't know!!! However, choosing Romney is no difference because he should not be in the race either – too many LIES!!
Obama 2012 – The ONLY Trusted Way Forward!!
He was born in Cuba, just look at his birth certificate (if you can find it)
Oh please. Rubio wants to BE Romney. This little bootlicker didn't do much for Florida now he wants to be number 2? Well...many of us in Florida already think he IS number 2.
Romney is all about representation for the 1% only. He has never been able to relate to the middle class or below – and he has never even cared to. And Marco Rubio adds zero, nothing, nada to Romney's cause.
As a former life-long Republican – the Republican party has sunk to it's lowest levels in at least half a century or more. Pathetic!
A fight on the convention floor is exactly what this country needs. The republican candidates have been steadily exposing the GOP for what it really is, a woman hating, gay hating bunch of bigots who want nothing more than to take this country back to the stone age.
Not a chance, Rubio. Gingrich will burn Romney at the stake until the very last day of the convention with Santorum not far behind.
Marco Rubio won his race in Florida with only 48% of the vote
He was a Mormon – then a Catholic – now he attends a 'Southern Baptist' church
He lied for years about his parents escaping Castro's Cuba. Actually they left several years before Castro took power. They came to the United States for the economic opportunities that are here – just like all the Hispanic economic refugees that
Marco works every day to help 'keep out'.
He was born in the U.S. while his parents only held 'temporary visas' – his is the prototype 'anchor baby'
He walked away from a home he was buying in Florida when the value went 'underwater'
Tales from his college days have him 'in the closet'
What an empty call to arms. "Come together" for what? To coordinate their lies against President Obama? To obstruct any and all efforts by the Dems to improve the economy and jobs situation? To oppose the millionaire tax favored by three quarters of American voters? There is nothing positive for the GOBP to "come together" over. The GOBP's policies of deregulation and tax cuts for the wealthy are both proven failures. So what's left, Rubio? Admit, your GOBP has got nothing of value to offer the average American voter this year. Your party philosophy is "we care for the greedy, not the needy," Your party's platform is "tax cuts for the filthy rich, benefit cuts for everyone else." These things cannot form the basis of a viable political party. They do, however, mark it as a cult.
Birds of a Feather, Flock together! Who cares what this liar has to say. Everyone knows if he selected as Mitts running mate it because Mitts is getting his rear end handed to him among Latino voters. Rubio is just a tool!
Romney – The liberals' favorite GOP Candidate. Don't vote for Romney. Please tell all your friends to vote, we need a big turnout.
These are a few reasons why Romney is considered liberal:
1) Romney created RomneyCare which ObamaCare is based on. Kennedy helped develop RomneyCare. Romney said he would repeal ObamaCare. Why would he if he supports RomneyCare, he is not telling the truth.
2) Most decisions Romney made as Govenor was liberal, not conservative. So, what make you think he will be conservative all of a sudden?
3) Romney lost to McCain by a landslide last GOP Primary, and McCain lost to Obama by a landslide. So, how is Romney going to win this time?
4) When Obama wishes Romney well in the election and name calls and villianizes the other candidates, beware!
5) Have you noticed the mass press and critics have shredded apart every GOP candidate except Romney? That is because they know Romney fits their agenda.
Please, if you love the USA, vote for any GOP but Romney.
Wow..Jeb Bush's little puppet, Mario Rubio endorses Romney and GW and Jeb's Daddy endores Romney! The GOP deserves the licking they will receive at the polls! This registered republican will be voting for ABTGOP..Anyone but the GOP candidate!!
I will never vote for Romney or Obama. They are part of the problem – Republimocrats.
I vote for peace, liberty, the constitution, and the only man that stands for those things – Ron Paul.
They can get all the GOP endorcements they want....they still are not going to win the election with Romney. With all his flip-flopping and misquotes in the primary campaign, I can't wait to see how he's going to mess up in the general election.
Just another politician with no scruples and trying to make use of an opportunity.
They tell us the other candidates are not good choices, and provide all the reasons why. Later on when they know they can't win they try to tell us why the other candidate is a good idea........
Isn't that flop-flopping? Lying? Dishonesty?
Just sayin
I wouldn't call that much of an endorsement. Oh, Romney's ahead, so let's back him.
Lets all rally around the biggest flip flopping phoney sinse John Kerry... Face it people, Romney has the personality of a doormat... He's not a winner
Why won't these people stand next to Romney while endorsing him? Shouldn't they be proud and excited about such a wonderful opportunity :)!!!!
Obama/Biden 2012
There are no "big" endorsements this late in the game. Lest we forget, the biggest endorsement Romney has been awarded to date is a majority of primary voters.
Rubio is the Edwards of the GOP, four years from now he'll be the VP nominee, then in 8 he'll be on 20/20 talking about his affair.
From all indications, he bought the nomination and if he can't get the votes on his own, he'll pull W's old tricks to steal the election. I've watched and listen to the republicans - they are all major liars and love only the money and not our country.