Florida's junior U-S senator, Marco Rubio, took what many called a step toward a presidential run in 2016. On Saturday Rubio went to Iowa, to speak to the Republican Party faithful at a birthday celebration for Governor Terry Branstad.
Rubio said it was time to move on, past the election, and staked out a philosophy of boosting the middle class.
"There are those who have made promises to them, who have told them, 'You know, if we had more government…a bigger government program that does this or if we were allowed to tax one group of people more so that we can pay for services for another group of people' – convince people that's the solution to the problems", said Rubio. "Here's the truth: Big government doesn't help the people who are trying to make it. It hurts them."
Branstad hailed Rubio as an example of the Republican Party's future, calling him an "inspirational leader."