Pressure Mounts In The Senate To Keep Rubio From Going Home

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks during a rally at Greenville Downtown Airport Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
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At Thursday’s caucus lunch, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asked a question. Who in the conference would like it if Rubio stuck around the Senate for another six years? As Politico reported Thursday, no one in the room thought it was a bad idea.

“Every hand in the room went up,” Politico wrote.

Rubio once said that he intended to run for president in 2016 and nothing else, but pressure is mounting for the freshman senator to give that decision another look. A report published by CNN Thursday morning chronicled how donors and strategists were begging Rubio to jump back in the Florida Senate fray as it looked increasingly unlikely that the Republicans could keep the seat without him.

The Republican’s Senate majority is already vulnerable and losing Florida could give Democrats the edge.

Rubio told reporters Thursday on the Hill that it was still “unlikely” he would change his mind about another Senate run.

“I made that decision and I’ve lived by that decision. Nothing’s changed,” Rubio said according to Politico.

Reporters kept asking, according to Politico, but when asked if he might change his mind Rubio said, “I don’t think so. “

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Notable Replies

  1. Rubio knows he’ll never be elected in FL again without a major overhaul. He can’t afford to lose to some first-timer if he has a glimmer of hope of coming back. He’s toast. And good riddance.

  2. If McConnell really supports Trump, as he claims, he should say: “Little Marco, please don’t take your dollies and your dishes and go back to Florida.”

  3. “Pressure mounts” basically describes the point in a road-trip where you REALLY start looking for a rest-stop.

    So, pretty much exactly the correct phrase to use regarding Rubio.

  4. McConnell’s panic is palpable.

    He can see his position as Majority Leader slipping through his fingers.

  5. For he’s a jolly good Marcobot, for he’s a jolly good Marcobot…

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