Marco Rubio bought his presidential campaign to Pensacola Saturday night, just three days ahead of the crucial – for him – Florida Republican primary.
Due to inclement weather, the rally was moved from the Fish House Restaurant to Palafox Wharf, the former Mr. Manatee’s building. Along those waiting in line in the rainy, windy conditions was Dee Walker from Niceville.
“[Rubio] seems to be the most honest, and I’m really go with all of his policies,” said Walker. “He impresses me very much.”
However, Rubio trails Donald Trump 38-30% in last week’s Monmouth University poll. Walker was asked if Rubio drops out, does she have a backup candidate.
“It definitely will not be Donald Trump,” Walker said. “Mr. [John] Kasich is an honest and decent man. Ted Cruz is a little too feisty for me, but if he’s the nominee, I’ll vote for Mr. Cruz.”
The smallish Palafox Wharf filled up, leaving others standing in line. Rubio spoke with them on the back porch after the main rally. The Senator was ten minutes late taking the stage, but the enthusiastic crowd didn’t seem to mind.
It was Rubio’s boilerplate speech, 25 minutes in length, in which he repeated his claim that he’s the lone conservative in the Republican race who can defeat Hillary Clinton. Earlier Saturday, he condemned front-runner Donald Trump for inciting supporters to physically harm protesters.
“Leadership is not going to people who are angry and frustrated and saying to them, ‘Get angrier, get more frustrated,’” said Rubio. “Leadership is not going to people and saying, ‘The reason why your life is getting so tough, is because of these other groups of Americans over here, so give me the power to go after them.’”
Later, Rubio made another clarion call to prevent Trump from taking the Republican nomination.
“If Donald Trump is our nominee, we’re going to lose,” Rubio said. “If Donald Trump is our nominee, he will define conservatism for a generation.”
After claiming Trump isn’t a conservative, Rubio then laid out his conservative chops as a U-S Senator and before that, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He then called the 2016 presidential election a choice.
“Not just between candidates and not just between parties,” said Rubio. “This election is a referendum on our identity as Republicans, as conservatives, and ultimately as Americans. We need to nominate a conservative and one who can win, because the stakes for America are extraordinary.”
He also touched on other familiar themes: his hardscrabble upbringing by Cuban immigrant parents; support for Israel, getting America back to values taught in the churches, and repealing Obamacare.
Rubio also appears to recognize the uphill battle he faces in winning his home state on Tuesday.
“That’s why I’m here to ask you to support me,” Rubio said. “It was always going to come down to Florida; 99 delegates awarded to whoever gets the most votes. I believe that the winner of the Florida Primary will be the Republican nominee.”
But despite the polls – which he discounts for the most part – and what may happen on Tuesday – Marco Rubio said intends to soldier on, pointing to one of his supporters.
“Lady has a sign that says ‘Don’t give up’ – Thank you,’” Rubio told her. “Let me tell you why I never will. I will never give up because if my parents had given up I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
After the rally, there came word that Rubio had won the Washington, D-C Caucus, 37-36% over John Kasich. Donald Trump got 14% and Ted Cruz got 12%. Rubio adds D-C to his previous wins in Minnesota and Puerto Rico.
Pensacola was the last of three Rubio rallies across Florida on Saturday. On Sunday, he made stops in The Villages and Orlando. Four rallies are on tap for Monday in Jacksonville, Melbourne, West Palm Beach and West Miami.