Rubio Addresses Several Questions At Dade Republican Dinner
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Presidential hopeful Marco Rubio addressed several questions at the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County's 67th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner Saturday night.
One of the inevitable questions he answered was about the race between himself and his mentor Jeb Bush.
"Jeb is someone I have a lot of admiration for and respect. I'm not running against Jeb Bush, I'm running for president. He's someone I know well and have respect for as I said on the day he announced," he said.
Rubio said the race will be decided by the voters.
"Our campaign is ultimately about going out and telling people what I will do if they give me the opportunity to serve. And the voters are going to decide, and whatever the decision is all of us Republicans who are running will be on the same team about nine months. That's how I view the campaign. We have friends who are with us and we have friends who aren't," said Rubio.
Nelson Diaz, chairman of the Dade Republican Party, is remaining neutral, but denies the Jeb-Marco contest is causing any difficulties for his fellow South Florida republican.
"I don't feel tension. I do feel there are some people who are supporting Senator Rubio and some who are supporting Governor Bush and I like it," said Diaz. "I think it's good competition. Competition always results in the best candidate"
Before Saturday's dinner, Rubio was asked if in light of the church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina if the Confederate flag should come down from the ground to the capital. Rubio sidestep the question.
"The next president of the United States will not make that decision. That's up to the people South Carolina to make and I think they'll make the right one like they've made in the past," said Rubio.
He was also asked about the Pope's recent decree calling on governments to address man-made climate changes.
"I have no problem with what the Pope did. He has a moral authority and has a moral authority in reminding us about our obligations to be good caretakers of the planet," said Rubio. "I don't think there is scientific consensus on how sensitive climate is to human activity. What I'm not going to support our measures that are going to hurt our economy and put people out of work and increase the cost of living."
And when Rubio was asked if he looked forward to having Donald Trump in the debates, Rubio couldn't help but smile.
"I'm not answering any questions about Donald Trump today," he said with a smirk.
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