Movement in the GOP field: Rubio, Romney

[Statistikhengst]

Republican U.S. Senator Marco Rubio preparing for 2016 run ABC Reuters

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is preparing to launch a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, signing on a prominent fundraiser and planning trips to early voting states, ABC News reported on Friday, citing an adviser.

"He has told us to proceed as if he is running for president," a senior Rubio adviser was quoted as telling ABC.

Rubio has chosen Anna Rogers, the finance director for conservative group American Crossroads founded by former President George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, to lead his fundraising effort, ABC reported.

Rogers will start work at Rubio’s political action committee on Feb. 1 and become the finance director of his presidential campaign, the network said. It did not identify the adviser.

Marco Rubio Takes Steps Towards 2016 Run - NBC News

NBC News confirms that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is taking new steps toward a possible 2016 presidential run.

He has hired a new finance director (Anna Rogers from the Karl Rove-backed group American Crossroads); has planned early state visits for next month; and is skipping Senate votes next week to raise money in California.

The news was first reported by ABC.

A Rubio aide also tells NBC News that the Florida senator has brought two major GOP donors on board: George Seay, the founder & CEO of Annadale Capital; and Jim Rubrich, former CEO of RockTenn.

None of this is a guarantee Rubio will ultimately run. Jeb Bush's likely candidacy is a major hurdle for Rubio, especially when it comes to fundraising and building support in their common home state of Florida.

Rubio moving towards 2016 bid - CNN.com

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is moving forward with preparations for a potential presidential bid, bringing on a new finance director and planning a fundraising swing across California next week, CNN has confirmed...

...He's also planning to miss votes in the Senate next week to take a fundraising trip through California, and will visit the early presidential primary states next month. In February, he has fundraising stops in Texas and Chicago planned.

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Team Romney meets in Boston on Friday - CNN.com

...Romney's top aides are gathering in Boston on Friday to continue to figure out next steps, CNN has confirmed.

The meeting will be with the usual suspects in Romneyworld -- including former top advisers and friends. The meeting was first reported by the National Review, and is likely to include former top aides Beth Myers and Eric Fehrnstrom, son Tagg and adviser and fundraiser Spencer Zwick...

....it's clear the possibility of a Romney run is moving into a new -- more active -- phase as Romney competes with Bush and others for money and campaign staff.

One top Romney fundraiser and close friend tells CNN that he "believes strongly" that Romney will run.

 

[rightwinger]

Rubio is a lightweight

He may make a good VP candidate if Jeb Bush doesn't get the nomination