Rubio Latest To Shoot Down Trump Running Mate Idea
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Marco Rubio reiterated Monday he has no interest in being anyone's running mate – especially Donald Trump.
The Florida Senator lost to Trump in the Florida primary which was do-or-die for his campaign.
In his first comments after dropping out, Rubio said, "No, I am not going to be anybody's vice president. I'm not interested in being vice president….I am not running for the governor of Florida. I am going to finish out my term in the Senate. Over the next 10 months, we're gonna work really hard here and we want some things we want to achieve and then I'll be a private citizen."
But during an interview in April with USA Today, Trump said he liked Rubio and has thought of having him run as vice president.
Again, albeit late, Rubio squashed the idea.
He issued this statement on his official Facebook page, "While Republican voters have chosen Donald Trump as the presumptive GOP nominee, my previously stated reservations about his campaign and concerns with many of his policies remain unchanged. He will be best served by a running mate and by surrogates who fully embrace his campaign. As such, I have never sought, will not seek and do not want to be considered for Vice President. Instead, I will focus my attention on representing the people of Florida, retaining a conservative majority in the Senate and electing principled conservatives across the country."
Trump has been struggling to find a running mate.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said he "can't even fathom" being Trump's vice president.
In April, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said there was "zero chance" of becoming vice president, to anyone — specifically Trump — arguing that he's more of a president, not a vice president.
Trump has also seen support within the GOP dip.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush issued a statement Friday saying he would not vote for Trump.
"Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character. He has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is not a consistent conservative. These are all reasons why I cannot support his candidacy," he wrote on his official Facebook page.
Sen. Lindsey Graham was more direct.
"I just can't go where Donald Trump would take us. I don't think he is qualified to be commander in chief. I will support every other Republican in the country," he said.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Carlos Curbelo and former Sen. Mel Martinez have added their names to the Never Trump list.
For more on Campaign 2016, click here.
