Do you recognize this man?
You’re not alone if you don’t.
He’s closer to the back of the GOP presidential pack than the front, and last November, 40% of Americans said they didn’t know him.
So the first question was obvious:
“Senator Rubio, you have a split second?” asked Andy Hiller.
“You got to do it after,” said Sen. Marco Rubio.
“Ok, I’ll walk with you…When people in New Hampshire don’t really know exactly who you are- who would you tell them you are?” asked Andy Hiller.
Sen. Rubio: “Well I’m an American who believes passionately that the future of our country is going to be brighter than what we’re living today. And I have a real plan to get us there. I honestly believe the 21st century is going to be an American century, and I owe a debt to America and I want to repay it by serving in its highest office.”
Hiller: “You’re 43, is that old enough to be the next president?”
Sen. Rubio: I know 44 is. Which is what I turn in may. (Laughs)
When Rubio announced earlier this week he’s running for president, he cast himself as a generational candidate focused on the future, and called Hillary Clinton a leader from yesterday.
“Yesterday is over. (cheers) And we are never going back,” said Sen. Rubio.
So what about the other Republican from Florida who’s running?
Hiller: “Is Jeb Bush ‘yesterday’?”
Sen. Rubio: “Look, I always tell people, it’s not about biological age, or how long people’s been in politics, it has to do more with your age of ideas.”
He is young, and energetic and engaging. And, yes, he has charisma.
Right now you need four hands to count all the Republican presidential candidates, but–when it gets down to just a few fingers–I think Marco Rubio will be one of them.