Sen. Marco Rubio announced his run for president this evening, directly challenging Hillary Clinton, who announced her candidacy for president just yesterday.
“Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday began a campaign for president by promising to take us back to… yesterday,” Rubio said. “But yesterday is over, and we are never going back.”
Rubio revealed his intentions to make an “announcement” on March 30, leading to weeks of anticipation for the event in Miami at the Freedom Tower. But his timing proved suitable, as he ended up announcing just after Clinton.
But the event was short, and instead of any introduction speakers or videos, Rubio took the stage immediately and delivered his speech.
During his speech, Rubio also tacitly addressed those who thought that he should wait to run.
“I have heard some suggest that I should step aside and wait my turn. But I cannot,” he said. “Because I believe our very identity as an exceptional nation is at stake, and I can make a difference as President.”
Rubio drew heavily from his experience of growing up the child of immigrants who believed that the American dream was possible — in spite of their humble upbringings.
He specifically quoted his father in Spanish, “En este pais, ustedes van a poder lograr todas las cosas que nosotros no pudimos,” (translation: “In this country, you will be able to accomplish all the things we never could.”)
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