First Bush, then Cuba: Rubio rides political wave

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 file photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the son of Cuban immigrants, prepares his statement before a news conference where he expressed his disappointment in President Barack Obama's initiative to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Among potential Republican presidential candidates, Rubio led the attack on Obama's plans Wednesday to ease of economic and travel restrictions on Cuba, to open an embassy in Havana and review the communist nation’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Associated Press December 18, 2014 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – As the 2016 Republican presidential primary lurched ahead this week, no GOP prospect had a ride quite like Marco Rubio.

The Florida senator’s White House aspirations took a hit when Jeb Bush announced plans to “actively explore” a campaign for president.

Less than 24 hours later, Rubio was everywhere – seizing the moment presented by President Barack Obama’s shock announcement the U.S. would restore relations with Cuba to become the face of the Republican opposition.

Rubio continued his media blitz on Thursday, hammering away at the Obama administration in Miami.

Just weeks before he’s set to declare his 2016 intentions, the timing and foreign policy focus play to Rubio’s advantage.