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Rubio Helps Save Reagan From Fall During Event

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (CBS4) — Quick thinking Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio caught frail former First Lady Nancy Reagan after she lost her balance during an event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California Tuesday.

Long time friend, mentor and fellow Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says this knight-in-shining armor moment shows the gentle side of Rubio, considered by some a tea party favorite.

"He's got a warm demeanor about him , Here is swooping frail Nancy Reagan as she stumbles and about to fall, so that just added to his Superman status and he's just got the right ideas and the right time," says Florida Republican U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Rubio was walking Mrs. Reagan to her seat at library in California, where he was giving a speech.

"I think his star power obviously comes from various factors. He's young enough to still have that hope that people always look for. He's one of the most articulate public speakers you'll see at this moment," says State Representative Erik Fresen and Chairman of the Republican Party for Miami-Dade County.

And this latest moment has certainly endured him even more to his supporters, some of whom want to see him as vice presidential running mate in 2012. A question Rubio answered yesterday with this response, "No, I would just say this. It's a great honor to be thought of in that way,"

The Senator is downplaying his knight in shining armor moment, declining to comment. But fellow Republicans say he's certainly one to watch

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