Marco Rubio - U.S. Senate - 2010

Yesterday, Marco campaigned in Pasco and Hernando counties, and the headlines said it all – “Rubio Wows Supporters,” “Warm Welcomes Greet Rubio in Pasco, Hernando Visits.” Check out the coverage below:

Addressing a crowd of about 70 people at a home in the Valencia Gardens community this morning, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former Florida House speaker, had to project his voice so that everyone could hear. But his serious expression indicated that he meant what he said. “This election is not a fight between Republicans and Democrats,” he said. “It’s a referendum on our identity as a country. America is an exceptional place. Unfortunately, Washington is broken.” That was one of several lines that drew enthusiastic applause at Fred Manno’s home — one of Rubio’s first stops today on a grassroots tour through Pasco and Hernando counties. – Tampa Tribune

His campaign likes to say the road to victory runs through Pasco, which explains why U.S. Senate hopeful Marco Rubio headed down a dirt road Monday afternoon and climbed the steps of the spacious gazebo bearing a “Margaritaville Way” sign. “I knew I’d find you at the bar,” he joked to the more than 120 supporters gathered at Hallelujah Land Ranch near the Suncoast Parkway. The Republican nominee found nothing but adoring crowds on his tour of Pasco County. A house party planned in Trinity earlier in the day had to be moved to a clubhouse because so many people showed up, said Pasco GOP state committeeman Bill Bunting. “It’s been like this all day,” a beaming Bunting said as he watched supporters ask Rubio to pose for photographs. – St. Petersburg Times

U.S. Senate Republican candidate Marco Rubio met an adoring crowd Monday as he traveled through Hernando County asking supporters to get the word out to vote so that they might reclaim America. Speaking before a crowd of more than 100 devotees at the Timber Pines Lodge, Rubio spent little time on individual issues and made clear he was visiting to garner support for the Nov. 2 election between himself, Democrat Kendrick Meek and no-party candidate Gov. Charlie Crist. He also focused on what he views as the current downfall of economic opportunity, largely due to bad government policies, and said he would be the alternative to those. – Hernando Today

Mary Stohl, a republican supporter, said she has been a fan of Rubio since she saw him on television months ago and added that meeting him in person solidified that support. “I like the way he thinks, I like the way he talks, I like his honesty—I just like everything,” Stohl said. “He gave a very good speech and anyway, he has our vote.” – Hernando Today

Miami, FL – According to data released by the U.S. Labor Department yesterday, four Florida metros under Charlie Crist are among the top 11 in the nation with the highest unemployment rates. According to the St. Petersburg Times, “the Tampa Bay area had the fifth-highest unemployment rate among the biggest metro areas in the country in June.”

“This report is just the latest indication that whether in the White House or the Florida governor’s mansion, the Obama-Crist economic plan of wasteful stimulus spending, higher taxes, more debt, cap-and-trade energy taxes and bailouts has failed our nation and our state,” said Alex Burgos, Rubio for Senate spokesman. “Washington doesn’t need more rubber stamps for the policies that are taking our country in the wrong direction. Marco Rubio is the only candidate who will go to Washington as a check-and-balance and is putting forth a clear pro-jobs alternative.”

Read The Full Article:

“Tampa Has Fifth-Highest Unemployment Rate Among Biggest Metros”
By Jeff Harrington
St. Petersburg Times
July 28, 2010

Despite a slight drop in its jobless rate to 12 percent, the Tampa Bay area had the fifth-highest unemployment rate among the biggest metro areas in the country in June, according to Labor Department data released Wednesday.

Among 49 metro areas with populations over one million, Las Vegas had the highest jobless rate for June at 14.5 percent and Washington, D.C., and surrounding suburbs had the lowest at 6.4 percent.

In addition to Vegas, Tampa trailed only Riverside-San Bernardino (14.4 percent), Detroit (14.3 percent) and Sacramento (12.4 percent).

Miami came in No. 6 at 11.7 percent. In fact, four of the 11 highest rates were Florida metros.

But it could be worse. A dozen of the 372 metro areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suffered unemployment rates of at least 15 percent. The worst: El Centro, Calif., at a whopping 27.6 percent, down from 28.1 percent the month before.

Miami, FL – U.S. Senate Republican candidate Marco Rubio will hold two events in the Tampa area on Tuesday, July 13. Rubio will unveil his economic ideas to “Reclaim America’s Future And Help The Gulf Coast Recover,” and meet with local charter boat captains and fishermen to discuss how the oil spill has affected area businesses. The following events are open to the public and press:

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

10:00 a.m. ET
Rubio Releases Economic Ideas To Reclaim America’s Future And Help The Gulf Coast Recover
Crabby Bills – Rocky Point
7700 W. Courtney Campbell Cswy
Tampa, FL

12:00 p.m. ET
Rubio Meets With Charter Boat Captains And Fishermen
Latitudes Restaurant
Ste A, 13205 Gulf Boulevard
Madeira Beach, FL

Miami, FL – Today, U.S. Senate Candidate Marco Rubio issued the following statement regarding the Republican National Committee’s selection of Tampa for the 2012 Republican National Convention:

“It is an honor to have Florida chosen to host the 2012 Republican National Convention. Each convention is an important time in our Party and nation’s history, and 2012 will certainly be no different. Our state, and Tampa in particular, has so much to offer, and it is with great pride that this vibrant city will take the national stage in August. I have full confidence that the candidate our Party selects in Tampa will provide Americans with the alternative they have been seeking, and I look forward to attending as Florida’s newly-elected U.S. Senator.”