Rubio visits D.C.

Incoming House Speaker Marco Rubio was in Washington this week to plug his proposal for an early presidential primary in Florida and promote his 100 Ideas.

Rubio, in keeping with his promise to cooperate with Democrats, met with Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Broward and Rahm Emanual, who headed the Democratic campaign committee. Rubio, accompanied by state Reps. Ray Sansom (R-Destin) and Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park), also met with Sen. Mel Martinez, who has been picked to chair the Republican National Committee.

In a meeting with reporters and editors from the Times and our sister publication Governing magazine, Rubio said he was going full-speed ahead with his plan for a Florida primary after the vote in New Hampshire.

"We understand nationally this could trigger a reaction from other states," Rubio said. "But we feel it's important."

He said he was not deterred by a plan from the Democratic National Committee that did not include Florida in the early primaries.

"Clearly they could disregard Florida's votes - at their peril," he said.

   

Comments

yawn

I'm a Dem and I say screw the DNC if they resist moving up the primary in Florida. This is one issue in which I commend and fully support Rubio, even if negotiaions with my party leaders turn nasty.

Move up the primary!!!

[Gene Smith]

OMG, I agree with Rubio. It has long amazed me that as the 4th most populous state, average Floridians have NO voice in selecting party nominees. Those who can are big donors to potential party nominees. The vast majority of Floridians get no say whatsoever.

How bout you DFA folks out there telling Howard Dean we want a little Democracy for Florida?

Rubio is already stomping on Crist. He is not even the Speaker for crying out loud and he is treking up to DC to give his opinion on what the policy should be for the entire state? This is going to be the biggest showdown in recent Florida memory. I can't believe no one picked up on the fact that he just ran over Crist!