A recent article by Marc Caputo of Politico provides a glimpse inside Rubio’s classroom.

Professor Marco Rubio

Without notes and seemingly without taking a breath, Marco Rubio tears through a data-heavy speech about the “fault lines” in America’s politics and what he calls “the middle-class trap.”

But this isn’t a typical campaign speech for the U.S. senator and potential presidential candidate. It’s a lecture by the Republican in a lesser-known role: Professor Rubio.

Beyond the face value of the twice-weekly talks, Rubio’s political-science classes at Florida International University double as a focus group for the campaign themes and rhetorical flourishes he might use in a 2016 White House campaign. In the fluorescent-lit classrooms of this sprawling suburban commuter school, Rubio frets about what demographic shifts mean for his party and explains how conservatives need to address the struggles of average workers.

At the same time, the classroom is a cocoon from the partisan warfare of Washington. There’s no sniping at rivals, Democratic or Republican, and Rubio is as likely to discuss Bill Clinton’s accomplishments as those of Ronald Reagan, whom the senator grew up idolizing.

“Very few people are even describing the problem this way,” Rubio tells his students at one point while discussing the problem of middle-class workers whose quality of life is deteriorating.

“Who’s got ideas that work?” Rubio continues. “Who’s going to campaign on it and make it happen?”

Rubio doesn’t say his own name.

But everyone knows of whom he speaks.

“Rubio 2016,” one student says later as he hustles out.

Another student, 22-year-old Ed Cabrera, doesn’t hesitate when asked if he believes Rubio will run for president.
“Yes, I do,” he says. “You can tell he’s a very motivated guy. And I think he’s going to make some noise, too.”


 
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Professor Marco Rubio (Politico)