Gingrich hints at making Marco Rubio VP

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Campaign 2012

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich in a Thursday night debate hinted that, should he win the nomination, he'd consider asking popular Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be his running mate

In the debate -- hosted by CNN, the Republican Party of Florida and the Hispanic Leadership Network -- a member of the audience asked the presidential candidates which Hispanic leaders they'd consider appointing to their respective cabinets.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum, the first to respond, gave the obvious answer, naming Rubio. The freshman senator is considered a rising star in the Republican party, particularly as the GOP tries to expand its appeal to Hispanics, and there has been plenty of speculation that he could join the GOP 2012 ticket.

Gingrich in his response one-upped Santorum, saying "I actually thought about Marco Rubio about [serving in a more] dignified and central role than being in the cabinet, but that's another conversation."

Gingrich also named New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez as a possible cabinet appointee.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney named several Republican Latinos he'd consider naming to his cabinet, including Rubio, Martinez, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, former Florida Sen. Mel Martinez.

Rep. Ron Paul didn't name any specific Hispanics he would appoint but said that the Latino community is particularly attuned to non-interventionist foreign policy and would thus be a good fit in his administration.

More from the debate:

Florida Republican debate: Winners and Losers
Gingrich, Romney at each other's throats over immigration
Gingrich, Romney blame the Palestinians, Obama for lack of progress in the peace process
Gingrich, Romney hit each other over involvement in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Romney tells Gingrich: I'd fire you for your moon proposal

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by rockychance January 27, 2012 7:12 PM EST: This will shock you liberals! As a conservative, I am voting for Obama----Why? The country is going to follow Europe no matter who is President and I want the democrats to be in charge as the jobs don't come back and then all America will see the true damage these socialists have done and throw all of them out of office. Romney cannot save this socialist mess of an economy and should step aside and let the democrats continue their high paying federal and union workers payoffs to the point they will finally have to admit they failed.; Reply to this comment


by DocD--2008 January 27, 2012 3:08 PM EST: Gee and here all along I thought it was a violation of law to promise any kind of position based on an election. Oh wait, it is, but Newt doesn't care, just look at all the ethics violations he has ALREADY been CONVICTED of.; Reply to this comment


by MTATL67 January 27, 2012 1:04 PM EST: With the latest racist comment "African Americans don't know small business" (copy available on net) will be seen by many including myself to be an attempt to show that Mr. Gingrich has left his segregationist views behind him. The problem with that is he hasn't left it behind him. It was good to see Wolfe Blitzer put that boy Newt in his place. A couple of the Hispanics in Congress are starting to distance themselves from Mr. Gingrich; Reply to this comment

by ReckonedTruth January 27, 2012 11:45 AM EST

Senator Rubio.. if he has integrity about him and he does for the most part.. other than that little white lie or embellishment he told about his relatives fleeing Cuba to escape Castro's (Senator Rubio looking for glee & sympathy).. when in fact, the Rubio family immigration papers has confirmed the Rubio family came 2.5 years BEFORE Castro overpowered the cuban government.

Senator Rubio.. don't waste your time.. who cares what NOOT wants..

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by USSAmerikan January 27, 2012 12:15 PM EST: After Herbert Mathews and the New York Times dedicated considerable front-page real estate to the rising hero of the Sierra Maestra and galvanized support for Castro's fighters in the mountains of Cuba, thousands of people, seeing the writing on the wall, migrated legally to the U.S. and other countries (Spain was a popular spot as well, as many Cubans were covered by laws that granted them Spanish citizenship because of their Spanish grandparents). The folks who saw what was coming did not want to suffer the same fate as the people in East Germany and get stuck in Cuba like the entire captive population that still suffers under the Cuban dictatorship. I guess Rubio's family was one of the lucky ones that got out before the ship sank.


by USSAmerikan January 27, 2012 10:42 AM EST: Romney has actually been doing the rounds in South Florida for some time, knowing for a fact that Americans of Cuban origin vote overwhelmingly for the Republican candidate in November. It seems that Cubans just can't seem to be able to forgive Kennedy's betrayal during the Bay of Pigs fiasco or Carter's mess during the Mariel crisis. Here's a local view on his visits: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/political/mitt-romney-appeals-to-cuban-american-voters-while-campaigning-in-miami; Reply to this comment


by pr_boxer January 27, 2012 10:31 AM EST: I wonder if Rubio would "dirty" himself by running with Gingrich? That would likely end his political career.; Reply to this comment


by gerryrigger January 27, 2012 10:20 AM EST: A gasbaggin' liar and a teabaggin' liar together. Sarah Palin, let's have a lipstickin' party cuz I'm sure yer in hawg heav'n jes bout now!; Reply to this comment


by nygal28 January 27, 2012 10:18 AM EST: Nothing like putting the cart before the horse.; Reply to this comment


by endrepubs January 27, 2012 9:49 AM EST: Yeah, but does Marco want Newt?; Reply to this comment


by troutfishman2 January 27, 2012 9:48 AM EST: Ronald McDonald would be a good choice. He is adapted to the clown car already.; Reply to this comment