On Wednesday’s “Fox & Friends,” Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) explained his decision to endorse Sen. Marco Rubio (R-SC) for president of the United States.
Gowdy said he agreed with Rubio on some issues, but also touted his abilities as a communicator.
“It’s a combination of things,” Gowdy said. “I’ve known Sen. Rubio since 2010. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina first introduced me to then-candidate Marco Rubio. I agree with him on you know, issues of national security, the role of the chief executive in terms of his constitutional role to faithfully execute the laws. I also have been a great admirer of Sen. Rubio’s ability to express the message of conservatism in hopeful, aspirational ways. I am not a terribly hopeful, optimistic person. I’m a former prosecutor. I’m actually cynical. So I greatly admire the Tim Scotts of the world and frankly Ronald Reagan and Marco Rubio who can communicate our message in an aspirational hopeful way. And that to me is persuasive. So when you like someone personally, you agree with them on the issues and you think they’re a really persuasive messenger for our movement, for our party – it made it an easy decision for me.”
Gowdy said he thought too much was being made out of Rubio’s participation in committee hearings and votes, which Rubio had been criticized for in recent weeks.
“Ultimately the people of Florida decide if he’s there a sufficient amount of time for them or not,” Gowdy said. “I think Sen. Rubio’s point is he’s running for president to make those votes consequential.”
Gowdy was criticized by GOP front-runner Donald Trump after his endorsement of Rubio, but Gowdy suggested it was just part of the business.
I hope @TGowdySC does better for Rubio than he did at the #Benghazi hearings, which were a total disaster for Republicans & America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2015
Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor
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