The relationship between potential presidential aspirants U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and former Gov. Jeb Bush – both Florida Republicans – was detailed on the front page of The Washington Post Friday. It showed a pragmatic and mutually beneficial relationship that may now be turning competitive.
Rubio addressed the issue with the McClatchy Washington Bureau as well this week, during an interview in which he mostly deflected talk of presidential campaigns – “soon,” he said of his decision – but did offer his standard, friendly comment about his budding rivalry with Bush.
Asked if he had spoken to Bush about a presidential run, and whether Bush’s decision would affect his, Rubio said:
“Well, Governor Bush and I are friends, and I admire him greatly. I’m not going to talk to the press about what we discussed. Suffice it to say that I’ve said before that my decision on whether I run or not will not be based on anyone else’s decision. And he would tell you the exact same thing.”
The Weekly Standard, an influential conservative political magazine, also weighed in on Rubio Friday, and its conclusion was quite flattering: “He is the most talented communicator in politics today. He is a visceral conservative who makes the case for limited government and American greatness better than anyone in the Republican field—better than anyone, anywhere.”
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