By ideastream's Brian Bull
About 200 people crammed into the Yours Truly diner in Valley View, to hear Rubio blast the rival party.
“The Democratic party is trapped in yesterday," said Rubio. "They are trapped in the past. And not just because of their nominees, but because of their ideas."
Rubio spoke of reforming social security and Medicare, combating ISIS and Chinese hackers, and repealing Obamacare. While his tone was largely barbed, Rubio sometimes took on the tact of a stand-up comedian.
“Hillary Clinton recently came out with her college affordability plan. Which was almost not released, by the way, because it was stored in her server, which had been wiped…”
Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel appeared with Rubio. Mandel backs the Florida Senator’s bid over that of Ohio’s own Governor John Kasich.
When asked why, Mandel avoided criticizing Kasich and said, “I believe in Marco very strongly, I think he’s the candidate that can unite our party and inspire the nation.”
Still, Rubio is working to stand out from a crowded field. Ed Dean and Jenny McKeigue arrived from Olmsted Falls, and said they’re still not yet fixed on Rubio.
“I am open to support him," said Dean. "But I wanna hear more specifics on where he stands. I like what Donald Trump is saying, he’s addressing issues that not too many of the other candidates are.”
“I’m open to Rubio, I’m open to (Ted) Cruz. So we’ll see what happens, it’s still early,” added McKeigue.
Rubio is working on momentum gleaned from his appearance at the GOP presidential debates in Cleveland earlier this month. He heads now to Columbus where he’ll speak this weekend at a summit organized by conservative donors the Koch Brothers.