While Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan are teaming up on immigration reform, they could be headed for a clash down the road as they both have their eyes on the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Sen. Rubio from Florida, Rep. Ryan from Wisconsin and other potential Republican hopefuls spent the week focusing on the two states that kick off the presidential nomination process. The New Hampshire Republican State Committee announced Wednesday that Rubio and other possible 2016 hopefuls -- namely Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rob Portman of Ohio and John Thune of South Dakota -- will be teaming up with Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire for a fundraiser in Washington on their behalf on July 29.
"I want to thank Senators Paul, Portman, Rubio and Thune for helping us grow our party and raise the resources we need to compete with the Democrats, said Jennifer Horn, chairwoman of New Hampshire Republicans, in the announcement of the fundraiser Wednesday. Horn hinted that the senators could be scoring points with Republican voters in New Hampshire who will take part in the first presidential primary. Their assistance is greatly appreciated and will be recognized by conservative activists across the Granite State.
Thune has stressed he has no plans of running for the White House in 2016 while leaving the door open. Paul and Rubio are two of the leading Republican presidential hopefuls while Portman headed up to the Granite State last month. Rubio is already gearing up in New Hampshire. Earlier this year, Rubios Reclaim America PAC ran television ads supporting Ayotte for standing against increased gun control though she will not face voters until 2016.
While other contenders focus on New Hampshire, Ryan, who was Mitt Romneys running mate in the 2012 presidential election, turns his eyes to Iowa which holds the first caucus. National Review reported this week that Ryan will come to the Hawkeye State in November to speak at an event honoring Iowa Gov. Terry Branstead. Rubio spoke at a similar event last year.
Ryan starts out strong in Iowa according to a poll released earlier this month from Democratic-affiliated Public Policy Polling (PPP). The poll found Ryan in third place with 15 percent, right behind Paul who led the pack with 18 percent. The poll also finds, fresh off his stint as Romneys running mate, Ryan is the most popular of the potential candidates among Iowa Republicans, with 68 percent seeing him as favorable and 12 percent as unfavorable
Ryan has been one of the chief proponents in the House Republican caucus on the immigration reform bill that Rubio and other members of the Gang of Eight passed out of the Senate.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-3722.
