Rubio, Bush Make Final Push In New Hampshire
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Shaking hands, hitting talking points and trying to rally support any way they can, it all came down to Tuesday for presidential candidates courting the New Hampshire vote.
So just how important in "The Granite State" which holds the first primary in the country. It's estimated that more than $100 million was spent by the candidates on ads there alone.
Far from sun drenched Florida, Senator Marco Rubio felt a little at home at a polling site in Windham where he stopped to thank his volunteers, many of whom were from Miami.
"My professors are pretty okay with it. Even though some of them aren't conservative they say it's the best experience you could have," said UM student Brendon Gallo.
According to the polls, front runner Donald Trump will take first place here for Republicans by a long shot. Second place, however, is a toss up.
"Marco what does a second place finish in New Hampshire mean to you," CBS4's David Sutta asked the senator.
"We are just trying to get as many delegates as we can and we feel really great about it. We really do," replied Rubio.
A week ago the Rubio campaign felt a bump of support coming off a third place finish in Iowa.
Last Saturday the narrative changed during a difficult debate exchange in which Rubio was called out by Gov. Chris Christie for not being able to stray from his memorized talking points.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Esteban Bovo, in New Hampshire to help Rubio, said he believes it could have happened to anyone.
"The policies he's talking about are kind of changes in direction for the country. From that standpoint if he has to repeat it, and say it over and over again, than that's what we need to do," said Bovo.
Some voters who spoke to Sutta liked the idea of change, but not necessarily Rubio.
"I voted for Bernie. I want change," said Fred Linneman.
"I like Trump. I like his attitude and I need change and he's got a really strong strong personality and that's kind of what I'm used to in my life that I'm around. And it's time for something kind of drastic to change," said Cheryl Scarvaglieri.
"I voted for Trump," said Susan Santorelli. "Because I think we need a change and he's a businessman and I think he'll do a great job."
There were a lot of Trump votes and because there are so many viable candidates, quite a few undecided.
"I spent my morning still studying up on candidates. I wasn't sure," said Donna Beals.
"Undecided still this morning," asked Sutta.
"Yeah. Cause I have different reason. I wanted to vote for different people but ultimately it was who could get congress to work together," said Beals.
"So who was it? Who do you think is the person to do that," asked Sutta.
"I'm not sure. But I voted for Trump."
Rubio's political mentor, and GOP presidential candidate opponent, Jeb Bush took a low key approach on primary day. He said after campaigning for 50 plus days he intended to take a brief break Tuesday night.
"To go pray at a church nearby wherever I am going to be. There's no luck. It's just be grateful for being a candidate," said Bush.
There's some talk that if Bush doesn't do well in New Hampshire, it could be the beginning of the end for his presidential bid.