WASHINGTON -- Despite months of speculation about who presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney may choose as his running mate, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio isn't taking anything for granted.
Speaking to a crowd of about 150 chardonnay-sipping small business owners Monday on Capitol Hill, Rubio emphasized that he's looking ahead to the next several "years" of his tenure in the Senate.
During his talk to the of members of the National Federation of Independent Business--a bipartisan crowd--Rubio focused on the importance of promoting small businesses in Washington by rolling back regulations and taxes. He called the ability to find a job and start a company "the single greatest indicator" of economic success.
"I hope to be a part of that in the years I have left in the United States Senate," he said.
A man near the front of the room raised his hand, and cheekily questioned what Rubio meant by the term, "years."
"'In the years I have left here in the United States Senate,'" the man said, quoting Rubio. "Is that just six more months or nine more months?"
"No," said Rubio, who joined the Senate in 2011. "Look, I love serving in the United States Senate, I know that sounds strange, but that's the place I think I can make a difference. Hopefully after this election cycle we can start to actually work on some of the issues that are facing this country. My single greatest frustration about the Senate is the lack of urgency. In Washington in general and the Senate in particular.
"I hope I'll be able to do that over the next four to five years," he said.
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