Marco Rubio tamps down VP speculation, again

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio really, REALLY isn't interested in appearing on a 2012 presidential ticket.

For the second time this spring, the freshman Republican rejected the suggestion that he might be picked for vice president next year.

"I won't consider it. I don't want to be the vice president of the United States," Rubio told host David Gregory on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "I want to be a senator, I want to be a senator from Florida. I think in the United States Senate I can have an impact on these major issues that we're facing."

"So under no circumstances would you serve on a ticket in 2012?" Gregory pressed.

"No, I'm not going to be on the ticket in 2012."

"Under no circumstances?"

"Under no circumstances."

Watch the exchange below:

Back in March, Rubio brushed aside the suggestion he was ready for the bit ticket, telling ABC: "I don't think I want to be vice president in 2012 because I'm focused on this job as a U.S. senator," Rubio said. "I certainly feel that way right now."

So will this stop the questioning of Rubio about 2012? Probably not.

Americans continue to talk about their favorite political figures rising through the ranks, whether or not they're aspiring to do so.

Just look at the example of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. No amount of protest has managed to keep him out of 2012 talk and away from the top of presidential polls. Christie joked last fall that suicide would likely be the only way to stop the questioning.