Drudge broke the news/rumor and twitter went all a-flitter: Rubio to endorse tonight! And so tonight on the Sean Hannity show Marco Rubio made his 2012 endorsement official:
Marco Rubio stands with Mitt Romney!
The go-ahead nod from Marco Rubio is perhaps the biggest endorsement in this race since Chris Christie. It is a rally call to all conservatives that this race, though not ended, is essentially over.
Said Rubio of Romney, “he offers a stark contrast to the President’s record.”
This news is breaking… more quotes, and perhaps video, will be forth coming.
~Nate G.
VIDEO UPDATE:
FOX News’ Sean Hannity: “Up to this point, you had not jumped into the primary race. Are you endorsing Mitt Romney then?”
Senator Marco Rubio: “Well, I am going to endorse Mitt Romney and the reason why is not only because he is going to be the Republican nominee but he offers at this point, such a stark contrast to the President’s record. Look at the President’s record. This is someone who has run the country, not very well over the last three years, that has no experience beyond that doing that, at the same time, as he has no experience with the private sector or the free enterprise system. In Mitt Romney, we have a candidate, an alternative, that in addition to being successful as a governor, running an important state in this country, has also been successful in the private sector and offers a very clear alternative to the direction this president is going to take our country. I think all the candidates in this race have a lot to be proud of. They have offered a lot to the debate. But I just can’t buy into this idea that by their own admission, they are saying the only way they can win this race is by having a floor fight in Tampa in August. I think that’s a recipe to deliver four more years to Barack Obama and our country – forget about the Republican Party – our country cannot afford that. We have got to come together behind who I think has earned this nomination and that’s Mitt Romney.”
Mitt Romney:
“Marco Rubio is living proof that the American Dream is still very much alive. … From humble origins, he has risen to become one of the brightest lights in our political party. He has been a leading voice in the U.S. Senate and the country for the cause of restoring American greatness. He knows that the way forward is to end excessive regulations, shrink government, and get our economy growing. He understands that the way to strengthen our communities is to strengthen our families. He recognizes the dangers that will face America if we fail to maintain our military power. He understands how critical it is to bring new leadership to the White House. Senator Rubio’s endorsement is a major milestone in my effort to make Barack Obama a one-term president. Ann joins me in thanking him for the confidence he is placing in my leadership and for the great honor he has done me today.”
Mitt was endorsed by Ivanka Trump as well:
Nate owns and manages a small souvenir manufacturing business. He and his wife of 12 years have 2 children. Nate has been blogging for Mitt Romney since late 2006 and is co-founder and editor of MittRomneyCentral.com.
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I agree totally with Sen. Rubio that it is time to stop the primaries and start backing Mitt.
Here’s a better quality video: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/index.html
Marco Rubio!…How sweet it is. George Bush is set to endorse Romney tomorrow and let’s not forget the Jeb Bush endorsement. Our leaders are telling us it’s time to back Mitt and defeat Barack Obama!
Awesome news. Looks like everyone is getting the message. Even Newt has received the memo and scaling back (less humiliating than quitting outright). Can someone pass the memo on to Santorum? I think his e-mail/phone may be down.
@GFurniss……….yes, someone help Rick figure out as graceful an exit as possible. He hasn’t been doing well w/the statesmanlike behavior.
I’m sorry, i just don’t get Marco Rubio’s TV endorsment as a big deal at all. I read VP spot talks all over the place. What’s his accomplishments??? He’s not Jeb Bush for fact. He’s just a good talker (very fast, it can be annoyed sometimes). I think Ivanka Trump’s endorsment has values than Rubio. Please, NO more short term sensational VP again in this election cycle. Let him have more exprience in the senate. He’s still young.
Gov Romney don’t have Cuban Americans vote problem. He did great in FL, AR, PR. He has HUGE problem in deep south so, he needs someone from South who has experiance, dependable, preferably evagalicish language speaker. Rubio cannot solve GOP Hispanics and African Americans vote problem.GOP must make reasonable effort to attract these groups in the near future.