Marco Rubio lamented the rise of socialist candidate Bernie Sanders while campaigning in South Carolina Saturday.
“But now we’ve got political leaders, and we’ve even got a guy running in the Democratic Party who says we should be more like Norway,” Rubio said.
The Florida senator faulted Sanders as one of a number of American political leaders he said do not think America is “an exceptional place.”
“I’ve got nothing against Norway, nothing,” Rubio said. “If you want to be like Norway, move to Norway. I want to be America!”
On the campaign trail, Sanders has praised Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden, Denmark Norway for their success achieving relative economic equality, low crime and well-educated citizens. Like most candidates, Rubio often extols American exceptionalism and capitalism.
His attack on Sanders is part of an increased focus on Sanders. Republicans, hoping the Vermont senator’s bid complicates Clinton’s road to the Democratic nomination, have mostly steered clear of attacking Sanders, focusing attacks on Clinton.
But Sanders gained attention in the last week after winning two major endorsements and fighting with the Democratic National Committee. As a result, other candidates are beginning to speak of him more often.
In hypothetical general election matchups Rubio barely leads Sanders 44-43.3 and just edges out Clinton 46.8-45.2. The three Democratic candidates will appear on stage for the third Democratic debate in New Hampshire on Saturday night.
