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Fla. senator discusses new book 'American Son,' life as a young senator and Romney running mate rumors in wide-ranging interview with Greta
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It's I think I still love -- that busy your office.
-- we're happy to be here and an imminent look at the American American son and we're really product.
You know it's funny in in reading your -- if it's personal it's not about policy is of that -- -- But it's really more about -- family and -- what I wanted to do is two things one is tell our story because.
I think people can find -- -- and inspiration and maybe cautionary tales.
And also wanted to kind of pay tribute to our country and and through my family's story I think what I want people take from Americans is that the reason why -- have the chance to do things that my grandfather my father did have a chance to do.
Because I was brought us to be in Americans to be born in this country where nobody really cared where I came from -- whether it was connect.
Well what they want to -- with -- ideas are how hard are you willing to work him.
I think the best way to.
Give life to that sentiment instant kind of pilots played out and our family life you know -- -- -- So much about politicians from the outside or even people in the media from the outside and in certain.
Books are sometimes the -- are rare glimpse.
And it -- a couple they -- to -- -- but.
One is there is a picture in the book -- signed papers running for the United States senate when your father your site down.
And via you know enough half -- a spike huge education -- your father.
And then.
Yet because of the laws of mortality he missed that that he missed you when an election.
Yeah well you know he he unfortunately got sick that's -- just a few weeks before that picture was taken and done.
So we we and and that event it was our qualifying -- -- that's really qualified to get on the ballot.
And he actually live long enough that talked about in the book you tell the story about he tried to go to my victory party that I had the -- which isn't really in dispute over it there's people on the ballot.
But he really tried that night to go to the victory -- my dad that he did everything he could be there.
And I went by house earlier that there is and I found him.
You know my best chances when he was smiling laughing atlas of finance and on and see and it took me to the back my father who had been out of bed probably about the house.
It didn't respond well -- Kimmo and other Greta talked about.
My father was was standing up.
And was dressed up -- fifth -- looked -- ready to go.
Historically we wanted to go to the victory party and unfortunately it and I got.
Later became possible for him.
But -- -- to make that one more sacrifice for us.
And be there but you know I I have a feeling that he was what -- physically.
I have a sense that that is certainly knows what it's hard work sacrifice allowed -- to -- But it also particulate you know -- so many let's go through.
You know in your book you write about how.
When your father's first diagnosed lung cancers that.
You -- for the team you know this on nuances -- I guess to live forever like any and you write the book that's very he would have -- and it didn't work for him and it was -- Yeah and I talk about that feeling in the book and on the one hand -- tell -- file as a cancer growing in -- chest and there's this treatment that might work.
Or at least extend some quality of life in this idea that you would leave that treated just really -- couldn't put up without.
And so I would say to you that.
You know it's happening like this like us talk about that book when you're younger you look -- your parents for guidance as you get older switches.
I think my dad basically would have done whatever -- -- -- to do I kind of encourage them in that direction and it is only able to take three days of chemotherapy responded very poorly to it really made it worse.
And so many ways and yes that's -- that I care and no wonder that didn't make the wrong decision that I pushing -- the wrong decision I think a lot of people go through that especially as our parents get over a lot of people might.
This is an apex that means I -- on health care in this country because they don't you know -- dispersant situation which we all get -- some -- -- -- some way and then suddenly.
As -- -- Senator McCain called -- young.
Make decisions.
-- -- things -- national health care in terms of it I mean but how how we end.
How we deliver health care and -- You know where it makes a difference when you look at health -- through my dad's experiences when your -- -- -- -- -- someone you love is sick.
You wanna get the best thing we've got out there what's the best treatment what's the best diagnostic.
Equipment not gonna come do you think your parents are older and -- -- again and stuff.
Really shouldn't be used in the treatment from someone that age they should be -- someone younger and healthier.
Am I accusing anyone about picking -- but -- worry that -- system back.
Ration care basically you have to make a determination to pay for what that the patients don't have.
They won't have a talk.
Available to them and it also recognizes especially at the end of life -- people spend most of their health care dollars.
At the end of life who have -- Medicare Advantage haven hospice care and kept comfortable on a lot of I would certainly hate to -- now.
Hate to imagine a future where there was no such program and it gives you some.
Urgency about the need to get that done.
To save Medicare.
And in federal of this and a bad but at least to me if other wasn't there when you one election night out your mother's birthday.
I guess -- if birthdays that -- had to celebrate.
Yes she didn't know -- telling him that night for me was just think how far removed that city lights.
From martian came from -- justice -- is certainly my mom with a -- Kmart stock.
Should remain -- -- casino -- in Las Vegas.
Out of me on that stage and -- the built more hotel and we'll be able celebrating our victory.
I think was a real testament to our country but also -- -- with the ratification for her that her sacrifices have meaning and purpose.
Having for her generation of Cuban Americans that that their hard work and the loss of their use.
We -- -- inherited that those things that sacrifices.
Made it possible for us about that -- both attributes of that as well.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Again you can't have it.
Right behind him.
How can in your journey so I -- -- up and despondent about how to how to do business then of the state legislator.
-- they -- worried about money they raise your family you're making -- -- it thousand dollars a year down -- -- I like that applicants.
-- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah I I know and it reminds everyone I get a lot less that have more right on -- -- -- I think -- couldn't beat in the student loans and obviously the mortgage car at all that it starts that up really fast.
And and I was afraid -- -- -- point where I felt like if I can't get this figured out in the next few weeks.
You know I'm -- that -- politics and find a job that pays more money because one of -- part things about it was being in the legislature.
You had to find a boss -- job that basically was willing to allow you to be gone for extended periods of time.
So you know but I think you identify and -- then and since that point you know I've always.
The provider for my family.
Possibly have on the back -- your mind and I think what it hopes to do in addition understand your own obligations.
This helps you realize how many people out there are struggling and making them last.
And make a lot less some cases.
To forget that -- I mean I -- because you know Washington very good they are open.
It is -- that.
If you weren't in the forget what some people yes absolutely I think that's one of the biggest -- of being in politics.
For long periods of time if you could lose trust touch from where you came from what you've been through and what others live life like.
And they get to work at not losing they kept actively switch yourself an environment through you try to identify what life is like.
For others maybe a less fortunate -- you -- for others that are struggling and absolutely that's one of the reasons.
And it's not the only about real estate market contributes to this but it's one of the reasons why I decided to stay in the same neighborhood that -- man.
Because I want to be surrounded it's good for me to be surrounded by people that wake up every morning and and work for a living and and and unfortunately sometimes worry about how to make ends meet at the end of the month.
That's right I -- I mean is guilty of this but some.
Artist who is that the Republicans Democrats apparently fall each other's eyes out -- here spears -- not.
-- what you write in in your book about a Democrat senator Leahy yeah basically add some of them has sent a lot under the -- -- inside the young senator you.
Talking about family now.
It it is not quite violent between two parties they're very personal moments when you get -- isn't.
While senators are act like normal human being special cameras and and I think one of that now senator Leahy actually sought me out to staff -- at the beginning small talk how's things going and I happened to -- I'm worried about.
My family and not spending enough and I'm -- -- in his expression changed.
As I write in the book is expression change that if someone with something to share and what he shared with the story that I in the book -- that's the story about when he was younger and in the senate.
I think this president Ford invited to something -- he had to turn it down because kids at some.
And -- -- you know thirty years later he doesn't remember what the invitation was to.
But it is kids will never forget the -- he chose them over the president.
And of course -- -- the book with a story about how I had a trip that I had a chance to take Africa.
To learn about our aids programs and I've never been to Africa was always wanted to go.
And my kids had a bunch of stuff going on early part of the year there were shocked when I went to school that day and pick them up -- I was halfway there.
And I don't maybe I'll never had a not written in the book might have forgotten about that trip to Africa but I don't think my kids that look forget the day I chose them over Africa and brought home school.
Can't say like what we -- we've proposed -- yeah why even -- what what -- for putting me -- -- promote marriage all yeah well you know we can't.
Guess the romantic life try to be I'd like to get -- but we were in New York City and via.
Your city went we went to New York City but you know -- -- that and then.
I end up.
There I don't think it was really cold that stricker and going and top of the Empire State Building which is -- mission you know it takes a want to get up there and and I proposed and obviously but we did stay outside very long -- from Miami -- like twenty degrees that was too much for us but just the long enough not to drop.
My biggest nightmare I -- written in the book was that somehow I dropped the ring over the edge of the building and then him.
It it's it's a good -- of passion it's actually and it's -- it was -- -- let's -- There have.
And that's not -- to remember and make them they've had up there and and they have parts that I didn't get it from that actually but afterward I found out about that.
-- some of the conference.
I actually don't have that you're lucky and end vehement but out one has this issue about -- -- About your parents when they're born when -- yeah that stands up possession but it's -- that has been written about -- that.
That's how that civic spirit about when your parents give.
The good experience you personally -- he went back and it is you know obviously any of the story I didn't know that date.
And so within a blessing in disguise because what I've done is as part of the book and it's part of that scrutiny that went back and found that as much as I could.
When you go back and look at your parents especially of their older than me and my parents -- importance.
You have -- realizing my parents for once my age and my parents had once hopes and dreams and aspirations like I have now.
And that really comes alive when you start to review of documents and application of the US.
And things of that nature -- -- I tried to capture some of that book so in some ways.
In many ways I would say that that whole thing about what my parents came and that are being a blessing in disguise -- the -- -- -- go back and learn everything but about it.
What I learned was even more amazing when I'm unwinding before we forced all of -- look back -- our -- -- to find out you know what we -- my own family yeah a lot of people tell me that especially Cuban exile families.
Because our records aren't nearly as good as some others are because we don't.
-- -- -- much cheaper yeah what I heard through time and -- you know the Cuban American experience so deeply.
Affected by the pain of not being able to go back to your homeland there -- -- to be a part of life and homeland.
And up but also don't have access like it's -- I can't go back and see baptism records and things like that it's not accessible to us.
But down but -- at the end and more positive experience and I realize.
You're very at least I mean look at what it meant a great in fact for why do you remember of the book Richards that you return to the catheters.
Yeah we were kids I mean I was.
We have moved to Las Vegas and and the book describes how in Florida we left Miami -- parents are very concerned about.
You know -- and that community -- moved to Las Vegas my mom especially is very desperate but it's very wholesome environment and Miami her sister.
Was a member of the Mormon church and so we're offer kids they were doing great very great environment there were growing up as strong stable.
My mom wanted that environment for us so we went for about three years between third grader fourth grade -- -- grade.
And then went back to the Catholic Church have fond memories of that time talking about back -- the Catholic Church.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Life.
Well it was without faith and belief that there's more than just -- life and more important in our life whether you're famous or not your life has purpose.
Without that.
Really you everything else is less meaningful less enjoyable and that's I think that's most important obviously my faith teaches that I can't live an eternity with god in heaven -- You know I don't about I don't -- Jesus Christ no promises that he left for us that's important thing about this from a more practical perspective.
You know I feel that life and even -- things -- -- here in -- whether it's in the senate as a father as a neighbor as a husband have more meaning more perspective.
When it's backed up by my -- I asked him that I couldn't get to where they are because they work hard right place at the right time a little battle -- in -- instance I think the end governor.
Chris Christie President Obama -- governor -- -- not covered it up.
Up hot that President Obama that was fatal to his campaign.
Well you know was illustrative I would have been meant a lot less of the war policies before that and governor -- the -- count the politicians.
-- likable person people like him.
People and and he was very successful early on as career as a governor people really supported.
And it is very popular when I decide to run against them but but I think with the hugged at the time -- it came in combination with a moment and where a lot of people Republican Party.
Was not pollute articulating what it's -- -- and being a forceful alternative to the president and his party.
And that's -- things that motivated me to run so that's a tactic that we used ultimately I think we would have won despite because I tried but he and you launch oh yeah yes I mean.
Governor Crist had it locked up -- it's not -- he was enormously popular personal -- And his job approval ratings are very high that many analysts sport comforting him on the money.
All that and and I I talk about the book very honestly I didn't think there were times that in the -- could win and in fact.
Was trying to figure out a face saving way to maybe get out of the race and I'm glad that I didn't and it's not something it's not a sentiment that I'm proud of but I'm glad that I went.
Because it forced me to ask them why humans are you running -- you wanna be somebody because you want to do something.
If -- running to be somebody there's a lot easier things you can get into -- -- -- like attorney general something else and some people suggest that I do that I was -- But ultimately -- program.
Because I wanted to do something and I'm glad that I went to the race it was difficult -- uphill and I had doubts because I think it's made me hopefully Paterson.
-- -- Is it is really good role model someone whose opinions I value some advice is an important in my career and someone who's you know I think -- -- His issues first focus on something I think -- -- -- her palms.
And Florida.
It down right here on the Palestinian I'm curious -- -- two year -- You know what my question -- you know what and we have you changed and that things that you see about the I think Senator McCain definitively your focus on -- -- Want to relinquish power -- -- not one thing that troubles.
-- the lack of urgency even two years ago despite how bad things -- I felt.
I couldn't believe we go another two years without dealing with the dad or Medicare.
Or tax reform some of these other issues -- even more concerned because I think there's these big issues everyone knows we need to confront.
But everyone wants to wait what are they waiting for -- more concerned about the senate pretty much as I said in the book.
Pretty much what I expected it to be.
In terms of the pace of -- you know I just wish there was more urgency I think a little more left -- and ship.
A little bit more urgency from.
Running the issues that we have as a nation I think I'm probably more anxious about that I was just two years ago.
So what I think it's about having heading into sent him -- -- in an -- always.
It comes here.
Is very -- and in the right people knew what State Department years wanna -- right through it doesn't seem you know there's this logjam and is it just.
Things move very slowly and then when they do move a lot different happy -- and is there anything you can do differently if not I haven't -- it.
Well I think part of it is looking for opportunities when you -- to work with people that -- people on expected to be able to work with so and I signed up to this jobs 2.0 bill that I did with -- Democrats.
Mean and other Republicans bipartisan good ideas.
Nothing that violates my principles and there's a lot of things we agree on we should do those things -- it maybe if we started.
Doing the things we agree on and there are a lot of them.
Then it leaves only the things we don't agree on the debate about and that we can have an honest debate about that after the election the fourth time this.
I think after this election's going to be about whether we you know whether we believe -- Barack Obama's view of America where where the government is the -- that creates jobs and prosperity.
Or do we believe Mitt Romney in the Republican view of America which is the one closer to our heritage and I believe.
And that's one where jobs are created by the private sector government's job is to make it easier for them to do that harder -- After that -- went out loud at that isn't their frustration my word on how sleeping through the senate.
You think you get things moving faster outdoors vice president.
Now -- -- -- -- -- -- you know I thought yeah yeah I said the whole thing about the vice president I just stay away from now because there's a real process going on a lot of respect governor Romney in the decision.
I know is gonna make a great system but but I'll say that I think I can make a big difference.
I do -- that's what it is one of the in the senate this is the place where we can elevate an issue and -- this -- -- -- platform.
Talk about the major issues that our country and that capture -- and that's where -- -- Often the Packers.
And -- you can't you read about the offense a lot here in fact you loved -- -- knowing that you like particularly if the opposite.
What's that I think gets the Packers great kid and traditional on the both franchises wrote an antibody that -- -- love the dolphins and we got to get our coach came from the Packers though.
I felt.
-- -- if you like the -- and.
I don't know I don't have a Wednesday -- I don't have a second favorite I'll be like after what my second favorite political party is a.
So -- -- that's right percent.
And our cuts are running -- sent -- of -- blessed to be here I hope I can make a difference I'm hoping to do I know you can go to meetings and I got curious let me thank him.
I haven't Intel committee meeting which is an important but I can't talk about it now and I think they can get it on this and -- I mean.
I would think that at least I -- it's an important committee.
-- -- -- on commerce and our foreign relations and on small business all of the commitments that's the -- equipment and -- nice used to thank you thank you.
