CNN

February 13th, 2013

CNN’s Kate Bolduan profiles Sen. Rubio

CNN’s Kate Bolduan talks about Sen. Marco Rubio’s “watergate” moment, his start in Florida and his GOP star power. She traveled to Florida to speak with former colleagues, mentors and friends.

BOLDUAN: That charm is one reason behind his rapid rise in the Republican party.  To better understand his star power, we went to his roots, West Miami, Florida.  His success may seem improbable.

RUBIO: My dad was a bartender.  My mom was a cashier.

BOLDUAN: But it’s no surprise to those close to Marco Rubio. Rubio got his first taste of politics interning for Florida congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

REP. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN (R), FLORIDA: Marco always was a superstar. He was a standout intern. I was a lot thinner and he had a lot more hair.  But he’s the same old Marco.  Marco would do anything and everything I asked interns to do, and willingly so. Whether it was getting coffee or making copies. But mostly going with me to events.  He was a real people person.

BOLDUAN: Soon after, at 26 years old, Rubio won his first election for the West Miami city commission. The community he grew up in and still lives with his wife and four young children.

BLITZER: Yes, he’s very popular.  We’ll talk more a little bit more about that coming up, by the way.  But he’s very popular not only in Miami but throughout Florida.  He won that contest, and Florida being a key battleground state in an election, he’s got a huge future ahead of him.  He’s a very impressive guy.  I’m sure everyone told you the same.

BOLDUAN: I heard it over and over again.  They really see him as kind of the son of that town, and they all take a lot of pride in seeing the success he’s already made so far.

###