Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hasn’t thrown his hat in the ring for a White House run, but if it were up to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Reid would be the strongest Democratic candidate to face in 2016.
Rubio discussed retirement security at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, but touched on the 2016 presidential election during a question-and-answer-session.
“Probably Harry Reid, that’s who I hope they’ll nominate,” Rubio joked when asked who he thinks would be a strong Democratic presidential candidate. “I’m not really an expert on Democratic primaries, so I don’t know the answer to that question other than to say that certainly they’ll have their own process for deciding a candidate. Look, I think any presidential campaign would be highly competitive and both parties will field competitive, well-funded candidates. … We’ll find out, I guess.”
Currently, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden are likely Democratic nominees. Reid, unfortunately, hasn’t expressed interest in a White House run.
Rubio also revealed that if he were president — Rubio is said to be mulling a 2016 run — he would invite Biden to a beer summit.
“He always tells good jokes,” the Florida Republican said.
But Rubio strayed from the good-natured ribbing to backhandedly criticize Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) when asked he if he would run for both president and re-election to the Senate in 2016.
“I think if someone decides to run for president of the United States, you run for president of the United States,” the Tea Party darling said. “I don’t believe you can run effectively for an office of that magnitude while having some exit strategy in mind.
“Others may disagree and may choose a different route. That’s my feelings on it. If someone decides to run for an office of that importance, you do so because that’s what you want to be, and you’re not simply trying to find some sort of eject button that allows you to get out if it isn’t going well and keep yourself in politics.”
Both Paul — a 2016 contender — and Rubio are up for re-election for their Senate seats. Laws in both states prohibit them for running for both offices simultaneously.
Watch Rubio’s speech below. Remarks on 2016 begin at 55:20.
