Ahead of Tuesday evening’s GOP presidential debate, Sen. Marco Rubio’s campaign released an online video that includes past words of praise from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, one of Mr. Rubio’s 2016 rivals.
“What Marco has, I think, is something that the Republican party needs to have, which is a hopeful, optimistic message based on our principles,” Mr. Bush says in one clip in the 30-second spot. “I’m a huge Marco fan.”
Mr. Rubio’s campaign said it’s releasing the video in response to a story in The New York Times that said a pro-Bush super PAC could soon start going after Mr. Rubio.
Mr. Bush criticized Mr. Rubio’s attendance record in the U.S. Senate in the third GOP debate, but many felt Mr. Rubio ended up getting the better of the exchange.
Mr. Rubio, 44, served in the Florida House of Representatives when Mr. Bush, 62, was governor of the state.
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Businessman Donald Trump, another 2016 GOP contender, has described the outwardly cordial relationship between Mr. Rubio and Mr. Bush, now rivals, as “political bull——.” Mr. Rubio said in response that Mr. Trump doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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