Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said Tuesday that the GOP will be in a better position to takeover the Senate in the 2014 election if it sticks with an economic message of small government and low taxes that unites the party — not the emotional social issues that can divide it.
“Where the Republican party is unified and strongest is on the belief in limited government and the ability of free enterprise to create prosperity and upward mobility,” Mr. Rubio said on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” in response to whether the Republican party will take a pragmatic approach to the election or look to mandate people’s private affairs.
Mr. Rubio, though, said it is important that individuals and communities work to strengthen the “values” that have made them so strong.
“While I don’t believe that government’s role is to tell people how to live their lives or how to worship or how not to worship, I would say to you that values do matters,” Mr. Rubio said. “Values like hard work disciple and self-control. No one is born with those values, those vales are to be taught in families and reinforced by strong communities.”
Political pundits say Republicans are well-positioned to pick up the net six seats they need to flip control of the U.S. Senate.
In 2012, Republicans appeared poised to pick up Senate seats in Missouri and Indiana, but those hopes were dashed after their candidates — Rep. Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock — made controversial comments regarding rape, pregnancy and abortion.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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