Marco Rubio is taking some veiled shots at Jeb Bush
In an interview on CBS' "Face The Nation" that aired on Sunday, the senator took a swipe at Bush, implying that the former governor's leadership style was better suited for a previous generation of government.
"I know there are people running that have more experience than I do on the issues we faced 17 years ago," Rubio said, referencing the year that Bush was first elected as Florida's governor. "But on the issues before America today, that's what we should be debating. And I just don't believe there's anyone else running who has a better understanding of the issues before us now than I do."
Rubio also criticized the Bush campaign's attempt to draw parallels between him and President Barack Obama, saying that intraparty fighting was part of the reason why Obama won re-election in 2012.
"I think it is one of the reason Barack Obama was elected in 2012, because too many candidates spent a tremendous amount of time attacking fellow Republicans and undermining Mitt Romney," Rubio said. "I hope we don't make that mistake in 2016."
The jabs came moments after Rubio said that he wouldn't be willing to attack Bush.
When host John Dickerson asked if Bush was Rubio's mentor while he was a rising star in the Republican state legislature in Florida, Rubio ducked the label but said he wouldn't badmouth Bush.
"I don't know about labels like that, but he was most certainly a big part of my career. And I have tremendous admiration. I said that at the debate. You're never going to hear me badmouth him," Rubio said. "He was a great governor of Florida. He's someone I have tremendous personal affection for."
As Bush's poll numbers have declined amid a sluggish few months and poorly received debate performances, his campaign has appeared increasingly concerned about Rubio, who continues to see rising poll numbers and favorability ratings among Republican voters.
Some Bush donors are being courted by Rubio's camp after his strong performance in the third Republican debate, in which he successfully deflected Bush's attack on the his Senate-attendance record. Billionaire hedge-funder Paul Singer said Friday he's ready to back Rubio's campaign, a significant blow to Bush.
Earlier this week, a leaked Bush campaign slideshow laid out several arguments that purport to show Rubio's weaknesses.
"We need to offer a contrast to the current president. Hillary will pitch competence and experience. Marco is a GOP Obama," the slide says. "Rubio and President Obama have strikingly similar profiles: first-term senators, lawyers and university lecturers, served in part-time state legislatures for eight years, had few legislative accomplishments, and haven't shown much interest int he process of advancing legislation and getting results."