Democrats wasted no time attacking U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio after he launched his 2016 presidential campaign on Monday.
Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz released a statement, as well as a pair of videos, shortly after Florida’s junior Republican senator officially announced his aspirations.
“As Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign gets underway, expect him to try and portray himself as a bold, new leader with fresh ideas,” Wasserman Schultz said.
“But the truth is – as those of us in Florida know all too well – he’s simply peddling the same stale, harmful wares that the rest of the Republican Party is selling.”
Wasserman Schultz went on to attack Rubio for supporting the 2013 government shutdown and a tax plan that she called a “GOP wish list.”
The DNC video – available on its Facebook page — slammed Rubio on his immigration proposal, a job he took at the FIU political science department and his opposition to key parts of the Democratic platform.
The jabs continued in “Marco Rubio: New Face, Same Old Problems,” the other video from progressive group American Bridge 21st Century. The 1:24 spot highlights footage of Rubio’s water bottle grab during his infamous 2013 response to President Barack Obama‘s State of the Union address.
Rubio, 43, announced his presidential campaign in Miami, joining Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in the race for the Republican nomination.
