Marco Rubio Calls for ‘New American Century’ in Speech Officially Announcing 2016 Presidential Bid
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Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images(MIAMI) — Marco Rubio made his presidential 2016 campaign for president official on Monday with a Monday event in Miami, hours after he told ABC News’ chief anchor and This Week host George Stephanopoulos that he would seek the nation’s highest office.
“I chose to make this announcement at the Freedom Tower,” Rubio said, “because it is a symbol of our nation’s identity as the land of opportunity. And I am more confident than ever that despite our troubles, we have it within our power to make our time another American Century. Speaking from in front of a backdrop that featured the words “A New American Century,” the Florida senator spoke of his parents and their experience with the “American Dream.”
“Both of my parents were born to poor families in Cuba,” Rubio explained, telling of his father’s time as a bartender and his mothers work as a cashier, a maid, and a Kmart stock clerk. “They never made it big. But they were successful. Two immigrants with little money or education found stable jobs, owned a home, retired with security and gave all four of their children a life far better than their own.”
“At the turn of the 19th century, a generation of Americans harnessed the power of the Industrial Age and transformed this country into the leading economy in the world,” Rubio said. “And the 20th century became the American Century. Now, the time has come for our generation to lead the way toward a new American Century.”
Rubio outlined his goals in the speech, calling for efforts to, “reform our tax code, reduce regulations, control spending, modernize our immigration laws and repeal and replace ObamaCare.”
“This election is not just about what laws we will pass,” he explained, “it is a generational choice about what kind of country we will be.”
He criticized Hillary Clinton, who announced her own campaign the day before. “Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday began a campaign for President by promising to take us back to yesterday,” said the Florida Republican. “But yesterday is over, and we are never going back.”
“I have heard some suggest that I should step aside and wait my turn,” Rubio added. “But I cannot. Because I believe our very identity as an exceptional nation is at stake, and I can make a difference as President.”
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