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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Whatever. Romney has been collecting endorsements from everyone in the Republican "establishment" since last year. See all the good it's doing him. Hey Romney, each "endorsement" still only count as one vote, no more. You can round up all your rich friends and you're still not going to win the hearts and minds of those who really matter! Keep collecting "endorsements".
If young people in this country want a life for themselves they had better get out and vote anti-GOP in Nov. The GOP does nothing for young adults. They only do for the wealthy and corporations.
He's Dan Quayle, minus the intellect. This is the new GOP, folks, a group of shameless panderers who feel its perfectly fine to fabricate a past for themselves provided it gets them what they want: what do they want? They can't tell you what they believe in, and they can't tell why they believe it, but they certainly can tell you what they are against and what they hate. Its the reflexive actions of the lazy and feeble-minded. Dumb yourself down, become a conservative.
Well it look like the GOP is in for another decade of irrelevancy and sinking party affiliation of this weirdo is their shinging star.
Rubio can endorse Romney as many times as he wishes. BUT my republicans friends are not behind Rubio. He is trying to sell something which is not there! If he is campaigning, this is not the way campaigns are done.
Tyler1982
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.
Don't be fool by Paul......want he is doing is setting up his son............if you can't see that something is wrong. The only thing Paul got going for him is he is against war other than that he one in the same with those other clowns.
If people believe that Rubio would not accept a VP nomination, they are crazy. Romney should take him on board as it balances the ticket pretty well. Romney, for all he would like to believe, is a moderate conservative at best where Rubio is much further right. Romney is northern, Rubio southern. The only thing Rubio doesn't bring to the table is being a female.
All this said, I hope and pray that the President wins his re-election. The GOP policies, not to mention their budget proposal, would, if put into effect, destroy the middle class in America.
I think Romny could have won if only he was patient enough for President Obama to finish his second term in office.Come 2016.Its obvious that we all still wants Obama to still be Americans first black Presidents for another four years 2nd term running.
Wonderful. a flip flop endoursed by a liar. great job GOP
"It's evidently and increasingly clear that Mitt Romney is going to become the Republican nominee."
This isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. It appears that the GOP establishment is slowly but surely whipping its people into line – "Dance puppets, dance!"
"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."
Oh, no, he hasn't, Rubio. I doubt Mitt Romney has ever "earned" anything in his life. Mitt does have a knack of gettting what he wants though ... home car elevators and all.
Nothing like getting behind the front runner, I bet G.Dub will be coming out to endorse him now also.
I would love a Romney/Rubio ticket! And, agree the other GOP candidates should call it quits. They have no chance of winning at all.
lame... republican, democrat its all the same.... only one worth while is the libertarian whom the media wont even show a picture of
Taylor,
Really? Setting up his son? The same son who refused a pat down at a security checkpoint at the airport? And Obama is ANTI peace, ANTI liberty, and ANIT Constitution. Really? You say you aren't a Republican, but it sure seems that you just read the heading of the GOP argument against Obama, none of which are FACTUAL. But, as with the rest of em, you Republicans are TERRIFIED of FACTS.
Rubio is not wel liked in Florida. He's a Teaparty, uber-right wing Christian wacko who lied about his heritage and the time frame when his parnets came (as illegal alians) from Cuba in his autobiography. He's s a turn-off for independents and won't help Romney take Florida if he's the VP anymore than Sarah Palin helped McCain here.
The Real Tom Paine
He's Dan Quayle, minus the intellect.
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That would make Rubio a clinical moron as Dan Qualye had not intellect.
Again, no surprise here. Who do people expect these GObPers to endorse? President Obama? Hmmm! But come on CNN, give us a real story.
Marco the lying Anchor Baby will secure the Cuban vote for Flippity-flop but no other Hispanic group. He would be this years' Simple Sarah Palin
Mitt Van Winkle (who thinks Russia is still our #1 foe) is such a lame candidate. The man has not had one moment of not being able to buy whatever he wanted in his whole life. How is he suppose to understand what most families go through. As far as his so called business acumen goes, I don't hear anything much different than what the GOP did during the Bush administration. As they say – all politics is local and this is what I know – my 401k fell over 30% when the GOP was in charge and during the Obama Administration I have not only gained back all of what I lost, but have added another 20%. There is no way I am going to vote for another GOP administration. I've had more than enough.
What? This guy was on the GOP wannabe list? LOL Can this party find anyone who is not a phony, not an iddiot, not a pervert, not a loony, or not living on the moon?
Why do all these politicians look like liars, cheaters and thieves???
Who cares what this mouth breather thinks?! His entire career has been about lining his own pockets! He hasn't done a THING for Florida. The ONLY thing he did in Florida was misuse his rethugliban credit card for personal expenses, have a house foreclosed upon, and lie about his parents being "refugees". I know a few Cubans who supported him, and went so far as to throw fundraisers for him during his senate campaign. When the truth came out about his parents being in the U.S. for several years prior to bautista the fascist being overthrown vs. the lies he told in his book and at every speaking engagement, they weren't at all pleased.
So, all of the GOP "leaders" are now going to support Romney...now that it is apparent that Mittens will win the GOP nod...Way to put yourself out there.If all of these so called leaders would have backed Romney months ago, the circus would have been over a long time ago. I think it was very irresponsible for the GOP leadership to wait until the inevitible to finally "back" Romney but since i am a Liberal, I enjoyed the entertainment.
On a side note, Rubio, Bush I and Bush II also think Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State and Kansas will make it to the Final Four. Nice picks guys, way to put yourself out there.
Not so much blake. The Hispanic community is well aware of his lies and self-aggrandizement, and they aren't amused.