Thousands Gather For Rubio's Big Announcement
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - One day after Hillary Rodham Clinton announced on social media that she is running for president in 2016, all eyes are on Senator Marco Rubio as he did the same.
The 43-year old Republican who grew up in South Florida made his big announcement at 6 p.m. at Miami's Freedom Tower.
During a conference call Monday morning Rubio told his top donors that he is running for president because he feels "uniquely qualified" and his party can defend the American Dream.
In a swipe at Clinton, Rubio said he the 2016 presidential campaign as a choice between the past and the future. Rubio said Clinton "is a leader from yesterday" while he has felt America is about tomorrow.
CLICK HERE to watch Eliott Rodriguez & Natalia Zea's report
Team Marco said 3,512 people from every state except Vermont requested tickets for Monday's event before the close of registration on Friday. The also received 190 media credential requests from more than 65 outlets.
Because the Freedom Tower can only accommodate about a thousand people, a Jumbotron screen was set up across the street to broadcast the live announcement.
Rubio's announcement had an impact on downtown Miami's horrendous rush hour traffic. It didn't help that the Miami Heat had a game at the AmericanAirlines Arena, which is directly across the street from the Freedom Tower, at 7:30 p.m. Drivers are urged to avoid Biscayne Boulevard from Flagler to NE 12th Street if they can.
CLICK HERE to watch CBS4's Jim DeFede's analysis of Marco Rubio's announcement
