ORFORD, N.H. (AP) – Florida Sen. Marco Rubio says Donald Trump will not be the Republican presidential nominee because his message is not an optimistic one.
Rubio has largely shied away from taking on Trump, the billionaire businessman sitting atop polls of the Republican rivals.
In recent weeks, candidates such as Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush have started to go head-to-head with Trump. Rubio’s criticisms Wednesday were measured, even when asked about Trump’s comment that Rubio is “disloyal” and “disrespectful” for running against Bush, who was Rubio’s mentor in Florida politics.
“I think our nominee is going to be someone that embraces the future, that understands the opportunities before us, that’s optimistic but realistic about the challenges before us,” Rubio told reporters after a meet-and-greet event in New Hampshire’s North Country.
“I’m running for president, I’m not running against anybody,” Rubio said. “I’ll continue to talk about my message.”