Marco Rubio to Headline Conservative Conference
CPAC Director Lisa De Pasquale announced the choice on the CPAC Twitter feed yesterday, adding: "CPAC keynote/opening speaker is usually an up-and-comer. Past: Rep. Paul Ryan, Sen. Jim DeMint and Rep. Mike Pence. Rubio fits that mold."
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, argues that President Obama's spending policies "will rob my children and their generation of their prosperity, and some of their freedoms." In an interview with CBSNews.com earlier this week, he said he largely supports the tea party protesters. He also said he couldn't think of an area of disagreement with former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.
Alex Burgos, Rubio's Communications Director, said that the candidate is "honored by the invitation and opportunity."
"He looks forward to sharing his vision of why mainstream conservative Republicans are needed in Washington more than ever," Burgos said.
Rubio's opponent in the Senate primary is Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who has staked out moderate positions on climate change and appeared with Mr. Obama at an event to rally support for his stimulus package. Rubio has aggressively criticized Crist as too moderate to represent the Republican Party.
While the Republican establishment has largely backed Crist, Rubio recently secured the endorsement of the anti-spending group The Club for Growth.
The CPAC conference will be held from Feb. 18th through 20th in Washington D.C.