Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida helped kick off the latest 2016 Republican cattle call Tuesday by calling for a “new generation of leaders” at Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s Economic Growth Summit in Orlando.
“I believe the time has come for a new generation of leaders — leaders who will create a growing economy, not a growing government,” Mr. Rubio said in a videotaped message. “Leaders who will help increase our families’ paychecks, not their bills.”
Mr. Rubio, who could not attend in person because of votes in the Senate, has a narrow lead in a crowded 2016 GOP field in a new CNN/ORC poll out on 2016, and was just behind Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky in a separate ABC News/Washington Post poll out Tuesday.
“As president, I will reform government to spur private sector innovation so that we quicken our economy’s transition to the better-paying jobs of this new century,” Mr. Rubio said, adding that he will “revolutionize” higher education “so that all of our people can acquire the skills they will need to fill these new 21st century jobs.”
He also ran through some of the pieces of the tax plan framework he’s rolled out with Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, called for employers to be allowed to expense capital put into their businesses, lower the corporate tax rate, and increase the child tax credit.
Others scheduled to speak Tuesday were former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Mr. Walker, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Mr. Rubio and Mr. Huckabee have announced they are running for president, while the other scheduled speakers are all weighing bids. Mr. Perry is scheduled to announce his 2016 intentions Thursday.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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