Rubio For V.P. Speculation Continues
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Florida Senator Marco Rubio appeared with presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney over the weekend continuing to fuel speculation he would run as Romney's vice president. But Rubio's statements and recent polling could make that speculation completely hollow.
According to a CNN poll, the number one choice voters picked for Romney's running mate is former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Former Romney rival Rick Santorum came in second in the poll with 21 percent. Senator Rubio and New Jersey governor Chris Christie were tied for third place in the CNN poll.
Rubio told both CBS4's Jim DeFede and an audience at a National Journal forum in Washington that he wouldn't run and that he "didn't want to be the vice president right now or maybe ever."
Typically, candidates who are being vetted to be on the ticket disavow interested in the job to a degree. Rubio has gone far past that and has said that even if it would help Romney and Republicans in the crucial Latino vote, he would still say no.
Outside of Rubio, the main conservatives considered to be in contention for the vice-presidency include: Christie, Santorum, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.
Still, even with Rubio denying any interest in the job; he could help Romney win the key swing state of Florida and that by itself could be enough to win the White House for the GOP.
