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Running with Romney: Sen. Marco Rubio

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    Florida senator and potential VP pick on 'Special Report'

  • Duration 9:02
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This evening we Begin our series running with Romney a look at possible running mates for presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

We Begin with a rising political star Florida senator Marco Rubio.

From west Miami city commissioner to Florida state house represented it for the youngest speaker of the Florida house thing right.

To a long shot US senate candidate backed by the tea -- What I think this debate should be about is the future of America to the Republican front runner and one of the most watched senate races at one intent can use your -- about it.

To a US senator in the spotlight.

And now to something else.

You are 41 -- the and -- -- yeah.

You're US senator I feel 42 do you -- You're US senator now who made it through a campaign that was at the beginning there was no chance right for you.

Now you -- on a short list would you say so or not for vice president.

Do you ever pinch yourself and say.

Holy cow how -- here.

I pinch myself because of the understanding that I've been blessed with a real rare opportunity that few Americans ever get to serve their government and -- people at this level.

It doesn't escape me that less than half a decade ago my family -- very different circumstances.

My dad was a bartender my mom wasn't made it was unimaginable that.

Anybody in the next generation would be able to obtain and this is what other people -- not.

You know people it came from where they came from so -- -- -- the other stuff the sleeping you know what what will matter is what I do here.

-- is resignation as a politician on the move.

And one who largely credits his success to hard working parents who came to the US from Cuba I think that's a tribute to them no doubt about it.

But I think it's in an even greater tribute to America because it's one of the few society -- human history or a story like that.

Would even be possible rubio is a father of four young children also he says a driving force in his life.

My kids are gonna come back to Washington 2030 years from now and I hope they can say you know my -- -- -- walk away a lot.

But it was for a reason and he made a difference and I want to be proud of my service and what I've been able to do here.

On the stump rubio hits home a message of fiscal discipline and limited government.

What we mean most governments to create an environment that encourages people to go out and start businesses and grow their existing businesses.

And you do -- through a regulatory framework and a tax code that people understand in this predictable.

And they can comply with the as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the select committee on intelligence.

Senator rubio says the biggest foreign policy issue is American leadership in the world.

Only America can put together the kind of international coalitions that it takes.

To confront everything from human trafficking.

To the issues revolving Iran and Syria -- an example of Syria the friends of Syria as a collection of a bunch of countries all the gulf states but eighty countries are part of the friends and Syria.

And yet they can't get their act together because in the absence of American leadership.

There's no catalyst to put a group together to confront that.

Very important -- -- do you think that the US should be leading the way handsome picture interactions here military options -- the last options on the table they always have to be the Syrian people aren't asking Americans.

To send troops to the ground they're just asking for some help.

And being able to defend themselves.

And further they're they're they're democratic aspirations so I think there's all sorts of things that can be done there whether it's the creation of the safe haven whether it's in Turkey or even on the Syrian side.

-- border providing communications equipment potentially providing.

Warfare equipment not to the United States but -- some of our allies.

And as part of the friends -- -- there's all sorts of options on the table but none of those things are gonna happen if there isn't frontal America.

And leadership all answers that analysts say show why rubio was a rising star strong philosophical conservative with a ability to communicate that message and in a way that attracts people.

Across the political spectrum.

The young senator rubio reportedly -- foreign policy experts at the Brookings Institution last week in a private question and answer session.

However he mostly read his public speech.

And received media attention now for substance but for missed placing his draft I left my last page of the speech does -- have my last page.

Other analysts say rubio is appeal especially with Latino voters will be very hard for the Romney campaign to ignore someone like Marco Rubio that helps you -- Hispanics closes that gap in the west.

But also helps -- deliver Florida.

That's that's a pretty compelling case.

Political case for Marco Rubio being on the ticket rubio says it's important to remember Latinos don't vote as a block.

There is something that unites us back from.

However and that's this burning desire for economic empowerment they desperately want to give their kids every chance.

And every opportunity that they didn't have so the question is which one of these two gentlemen that are running has the best idea -- I think it's going to be Enron -- the end of the day.

Senator rubio is working on a Republican alternative to the DREAM Act dealing with children of illegal immigrants who serve in the US military or get a four year college degree.

Can Republicans passed that can you get the Republican Party on board the difference between my -- on the DREAM Act as the DREAM Act creates a special category.

To get your residency and I think that would be counterproductive.

So that's what we're working on again the details is what people deserved for the take a firm position.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- There are a lot of people out there who would like to see on the ticket.

Some have concerns about your past one is.

This credit card -- -- speaker of the Florida house she'd be charged personal expenses on this party issued credit card.

What happened with that.

At the end of every month we would get those statements we would see what was on their that was party related in the party would pay that.

It wasn't party related I would pay that directly to American Express now obviously in hindsight it looks bad right you are using the party credit card at all.

Well some of these expenses were because they travel agent had the number you know the credit card number and they build it to that card.

Instead of the other card.

Sometimes it was just a -- literally just reached for the wrong card but it's important people understand I did not bill.

Personal expenses to the Republican Party of Florida.

The Republican Party of Florida never paid my personal expenses never but look you know I shouldn't -- done it that way it was it was lesson learned.

Another thing that.

People raise concerns about.

What is your relationship with representative of there he's a friend I mean as a friend I've known on a personal level.

Even before I was elected -- he was elected to office so look I know is going through a tough time and we've all read the press reports we.

None of us like to see that about anybody much less a friend and he's gonna have to deal with -- position.

Those issues in case you haven't seen in the press reports here are allegations that Miami Republican congressman David Rivera this used various offices and campaigns.

For personal gain -- -- he's reportedly been under investigation by at least five different law enforcement agencies.

For a range of violations.

Including payments of more than a half million dollars from gambling operations after legislation passed in the state house that he lobbied for.

Money authorities say he received through -- company set up by his mother and godmother.

I guess is that I'm new to Washington but I've never felt that I mean maybe it's acceptable here it -- to me to turn your back on friends when they're going through a difficult time no matter.

You know what they may have done not done you know and and so in his case he's a friend a -- given the benefit of the doubt and -- Raising money for now.

You know again reservoir he's a friend he's and he's asked me to attend a fund raiser he's accountable to the people of his district to elect who elected him and are gonna have to reelect them.

Rubio is hosting a fund raiser for Rivera in May.

Adding to the media questions Rivera and rubio bought a house together in Tallahassee during their time in the state house.

The -- the bank was moving to foreclose.

There was a disagreement with the bank about how much the monthly payments were.

And -- dog are confusing the bank turned it over to one of these law firms in Florida that specialized in quick foreclosure proceedings and before we can.

Figure it all out -- them they filed the paperwork so we quickly address that and we've never had a problem since you've we're not.

Not making payments -- the other was a disagreement over the amount per month and so to them that's not those are not complete payments and and us -- all kinds of other things that that happened as a result of that but -- that -- about worked out as soon as we found out about it -- -- I found out about it we addressed that.

And we moved on whether or not I've been handling that.

Person whether those issues are enough to keep rubio off of the Romney ticket tax that will be up to the vetting we have a broken tax code but all analysts seem to agree Florida's junior senator has one thing.

Bonds.

I think the media is paying Marco Rubio a great compliment of putting him under the electron microscope early because I think they see him as a possible real contender.

You can see my full interview with senator rubio on our homepage.

At foxnews.com.

Slash special report tomorrow --

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