Rubio Remains Neutral In Run Up To Florida Primary
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A rising star in the Republican party, Senator Marco Rubio has yet to say who he supports in the run up to the Florida primary.
He has said, however, he will support who ever becomes their party's nominee for president.
Appearing on CBS This Morning, Rubio said he has asked the two front-runners, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, to scale back their personal attacks.
In recent days, Romney has claimed Gingrich resigned from Congress in disgrace. Gingrich countered by calling Romney an out of touch millionaire. He also attacked Romney in a campaign ad for being "anti-immigration." That, however, backfired.
Rubio, one of the nation's most visible Hispanic politicians, called the ads inflammatory. The Gingrich campaign had them pulled.
"It's very simple. I was asked to comment on an ad I heard on the air. I didn't think it was accurate. I didn't think the ad had a place in the campaign down there in Florida," said Rubio, who was in Washington D.C. "It's important to point out to people that Florida is not like other states, Florida's a swing state."
Florida is also a place where the Hispanic vote could decide the race. Publically Rubio has remained neutral as to who he favors. When asked about it on the morning show, Rubio sidestepped the question.
"Ultimately I think they are all offering some concrete ideas. Here's the bottom line. None of them are the current president who I think is taking the country in a very bad direction," said Rubio.
Rubio's refusal to choose sides in the primary continues to fuel speculation that he's angling for a spot on the Republican ticket, a theory he's denied repeatedly.
"I look forward to campaigning around the country, I want to help the nominee, I don't think it will be as the vice-presidential nominee, though," said Rubio.
