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Marco Rubio: I am endorsing Mitt Romney

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    Florida senator on GOP candidates, 2012 race

  • Duration 6:44
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There's no better way to describe my next guests as a rising star now from the moment that senator Marco Rubio had the political stage.

America took notice and so did the Republican Party and with the GOP primary still very much unsettled.

He is here tonight with perspective on what lies ahead for the Republicans much much more joining me now Florida senator Marco Rubio senator welcome onto the program -- -- -- get.

Thanks for having me on you know one thing is I watch.

What's happening in the country right now.

And I've concluded this one thing is all paying very close attention and I think this is a defining moment we have a Supreme Court debate.

-- very profound issues in terms of the economy unemployment record dead about foreign policy issues.

Countries divided and I think one of the real reasons it seems the administration is.

That's their strategy in many ways.

Because they can't say -- record.

Yeah that's right this is a president can't run his record I mean you look at everything -- -- your hard house call home prices are down.

Your gas prices are up unemployment stop the -- is up.

And so this is not a president that can run on his -- so when you can't run on your record you want the election to be about other things and one of the things the president's made a deliberate decision on is that he's gonna deliberately divide.

The American people against each other in a calculated effort.

To get the fifty -- 50% plus one.

And that's why I think it's so critical of the quicker we can get this campaign on that focus focused on the president's record on the alternative that we offer.

The better off we're going to be as a movement but also the better off the country's going to be.

How it how concerned are you -- the question keeps coming out that the longer this drags out meaning the Republican primary that -- That might make it more difficult for the eventual nominee do you agree with that argument do you think maybe it's healthy.

Not a have a problem with primaries but I think we're at a stage now where at least two of the candidates have openly admitted that the only way they're going to be able to win the nomination -- have a floor fight in Tampa.

In August I don't think there's anything good about that I mean there is no way that anyone can convince me.

But having a floor fight at the convention in Tampa and August it's a recipe for victory in November on the contrary I think it's a recipe.

For disasters saw I just don't think that's a -- a wise route to go I think that we've had a very good primary think all the candidates have a lot to be proud of I think it's evidently an increasingly clear that Mitt Romney is going to be the Republican nominee.

It advances the well adopted this point you and then you had not jumped into the primary race -- endorsing Mitt Romney that.

Well I am an endorsement Romney and the reason why is not only because he's going to be the Republican nominee but he offers at this point such a stark contrast to the president's record I mean look at the president's record this is someone.

Who has run the country not very well over the last two years.

But has no experience beyond that doing that at the same time as he has no experience for the private sector.

Or are the free enterprise system.

And that Romney we have a candidate an alternative that an addition to being successful as they governor running an important state in this country.

Has also been successful in the private the sector and offers a very clear alternative -- the direction this president is going to take our country so.

Look I think all the candidates in this -- have a lot to be proud of they've offered a lot to the debate.

But I just can't -- into this idea that -- it and buy their own admission.

They're saying the -- and they can win this race is by having a floor fight.

In Tampa and August and I think that's a recipe.

To deliver four more years to Barack Obama and our country forget about the Republican Party our country cannot afford that -- so we've got to.

Come together behind The Who I think -- our in this nomination announcement Romney.

Right it is you know you name is often make them mentioned.

Senator as as somebody that would be on anybody's shortlist didn't announce tonight even doors Mitt Romney have you Andy spent any time talking with him.

Who -- and how well do you feel you know him one -- the one of the issues that came up in the campaign.

That there was some doubt among conservatives you have you been a strong Tea Party advocate.

And the Tea Party loves you support you problem and your name keeps getting mentioned.

Three things about that China -- I've I've known Robin since 2007 when he first ran for president.

I had that conversations of them throughout this process never about vice president or anything like that and then we've we've discussed that extensively you and I on the air and but but but I think boy what I here's what I would say to people that are concerned about a number one this -- been an excellent primary because it's.

It's made the candidates take very strong positions on issues that we can hold them accountable to I have zero doubt in my mind of two things.

Number one that Mitt Romney will govern as a conservative and number two that he will be head and shoulders better than a guy who's in the White House right now.

And that's -- we need to understand that this election.

Is not just any other election this is really a fundamental choice between the very identity of our nation.

And I'm telling you if we have four more years of Barack Obama it will potentially to redefine the identity of our nation from an exceptional country.

To one that struggles to recapture all the things that made the last century the American century.

You know senator haven't to have and ask you that question number of times and I'm not I'm not asking you to commit tonight.

But does it give you reason to pause.

Or at least leave open the door.

That you know if your country.

And it drove -- presidential candidate calls on you.

Because they're asking you to serve because they see the leadership qualities in you that maybe you don't even seeing yourself.

Do you think you have an obligation -- to at least leave that door open.

Well I as I said I'm very honored and privileged to serve this country in the United States senate -- represented the state of Florida the United States senate.

That's for my heart is -- for my mind is that -- my focuses.

I don't believe I'm gonna be asked to be the vice presidential nominee that's not what I intend to be that's not what I want to be and that's not what's going to happen.

What I will do those work very hard for Mitt Romney -- the nominee of our party.

Because I think he's gonna offer a very clear alternative is already offering a very clear alternative.

To a disastrous presidency and look -- I know that sometimes we get a little overheated in politics.

All all those things aside of -- I have no personal animosity towards a president who by all accounts is a very good father and a very good husband.

But he's not a very good president in fact he's been a disastrous president.

Who's taking our country in a direction that will fundamentally set us back in a way that may take a generation to undo.

So we have an obligation to work on behalf of the nominee Mitt Romney to ensure that not only is Barack Obama defeated the but that we put in place policies that will allow this century to be an American century it's well.

We did have a funny moment together you were speaking in Naples Florida and then you were gracious enough to introduce me when I came in the room and I was like five minutes -- and you're ready speaking and and I said I'm sorry senator excuse me mister vice president and I don't remember what the reaction was but it was one of I believe it was a standing ovation.

I think people there -- fresh yeah I -- -- look I'm always honored by that and you know that but.

We have a lot of work to do here in the senate and god willing in November we're gonna when when the White House all right senator -- is appreciated and senator Barbara -- endorsing governor Mitt Romney tonight.

And coming up the passenger that helped subdue the captain on --

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