Marco Rubio Doesn't Want to Be VP; Jeb Bush Hints at His Own 2016 Run

By Kyle Munzenrieder Mon., Jan. 10 2011 at 2:01 PM

Categories: Politicks

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In today's round up of the federal executive branch aspirations of Florida Republicans: Marco Rubio says he wouldn't accept an offer to be the GOP's vice presidential candidate in 2012. Meanwhile, his mentor Jeb Bush yet again denied he'd mount a presidential bid in 2012, but leaves the door open for a possible 2016 run. Maybe that's just a coincidence, or maybe both Rubio and Bush aren't hopeful about the chances of any Republican beating Obama.

Rumors, or in most case the blind hope of his biggest boosters, of Marco Rubio running for higher office have been around even before he won the senate race, but Rubio decided to put any 2012 rumors to rest. A Panama City radio host asked Rubio point blank if he'd being open to being the Veep candidate in 2012.

"No, I'm not. And I'll tell you why I'm not," Rubio replied. "To be the senator from Florida is a big job. In addition to the votes you take in Washington of national importance, our state has a multitude of issues. I mean, it will soon be the third largest state in the country and perhaps the most complex in the country in terms of the set of issues it faces. In order to do that job, and do it well, you've got have to have 100 percent focus on it. You don't have time to sit around and daydream ... I want to be a U.S. Senator because I believe I can make a difference from that position. ... It's flattering sometimes, but that's about it."

As for Jeb Bush, the guy has already made a career out of denying he wants to run for President but apparently anytime he says anything to the effect it's big, big news. Last week he told a reporter he wasn't going to run in 2012, but when asked about 2016 he said, "never say never."

So, who knows? Liberal website Salon takes this as evidence that Bush thinks Obama will be re-elected in 2012. Of course, he's already on the record saying as much.

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