INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio attended a fundraiser luncheon at Pointe West Tuesday to support his campaign for a seat in the US Senate.
Rubio is running against Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek.
Pointe West President Chuck Mechling and Indian River Tea Party co-chair Toby Hill were among the organizers for the fundraiser, which brought out nearly 150 supporters to the event. Jose Mallea, a Rubio campaign manager, said that the event was not hosted by any one political group, though those in attendance were mostly Republicans.
Senate hopeful Rubio told the audience that it wasn’t until 14 months or so ago that he began considering a run at the federal seat.
But given the state of politics and the track he believes the country is on, he decided to run.
“We are living in such a moment,” Rubio said of unprecedented times when the country is at a crossroads of national identity.
He explained that there are those who want to change the nation’s role in the world and expand the role of government.
“Some believe Western Europe got it right,” he said – more government means a better life, a guarantee of a certain standard of life.
“It comes at a price,” he said, explaining that the more the people want government to provide for them, the more they are willing to give up in terms of personal choice and liberty.
“America chose differently,” Rubio said, opting for a free market economy where “anyone, anywhere can do anything.”
Rubio told the audience he believes Florida wants a Senator who would not only oppose President Barack Obama’s agenda but also offer alternatives to it. He said he believes he is that candidate.
He said he would also work to make America stronger.
“The world is a safer place when America is the strongest in the world,” Rubio said, adding that in the event of a power vacuum, another nation would step in – one that would not be as generous or benevolent as the United States of America.
Rubio had expected to have time to questions from the audience before the luncheon ended but time ran short.
Instead, Indian River County Commissioner Bob Solari told the audience that anyone who was interested in helping Rubio’s campaign should get in touch with the organizers. He also said he believes the county’s Republicans would support Rubio by a large margin, estimating a win by 60 to 70 percent in the county.