Florida's GOP gets ready to choose sides in Bush v. Rubio
WASHINGTON – The battle for Florida's Republican soul is about to begin.
Marco Rubio, who rode a tea party wave into the U.S. Senate five years ago, and his mentor, former Gov. Jeb Bush who closely identifies with the GOP establishment, are expected to announce soon they're officially running for president in 2016. And it all starts with Florida, the nation's most pivotal swing state and the political base for both men.
No Floridian has ever been a major-party nominee for president — or vice president, for that matter. Every four years, Republicans in the state donate tens of millions of dollars to candidates elsewhere in the country, and help one win the White House, almost always picking the winner.
But with Bush, 62, and Rubio, 43, expected to vie for the GOP nomination next year, Florida is finally poised to land a spot on a national ticket.
Bush is raising millions and leads the GOP field in most national polls. Rubio, set to enter the race Monday, is given less chance to win, but his Hispanic heritage and telegenic presence make him a potentially attractive running mate if someone other than Bush nabs the nomination.
Bush and Rubio live less than three miles apart in South Florida and are personally and politically close. Rubio was a state lawmaker from West Miami when Bush was governor. Rubio ascended to speaker of the Florida House in 2006, just as Bush was leaving the governor's mansion and returning to private life in Coral Gables.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/04/13/florida-gop-starts-choose-sides-bush-rubio/25696497/
