Rubio's stumble while denying VP interest has some suggesting Freudian slip

Published on Apr 19, 2012 by ForaTv

April 19, 2012 - In an interview with Major Garrett at an event sponsored by the University of Phoenix/National Journal Next America project, Senator Marco Rubio answered the question "will you be Mitt Romney's running mate" several different ways. His answer is no. Full video here: http://fora.tv/2012/04/19/The_Next_America_Demography__the_National_Agenda#fu...

By Justin Sink - 04/19/12 11:37 AM ET

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) again insisted that he has no interest in and would not accept an offer to join the Republican ticket as a vice presidential candidate — but not without a stumble that some are suggesting was a Freudian slip.

The popular Florida lawmaker, who has long been mentioned in the discussion of potential 2012 vice presidential candidates, said during a forum hosted by the National Journal that he wasn't interested in the position.

"I don't want to be the vice president," Rubio said.

National Journal's Major Garrett asked if he would still say no even if lobbied directly by presumptive nominee Mitt Romney.

"Yes," Rubio said.

But any attempt to squelch speculation that Rubio might be vying for the job was washed out when the senator made an inopportune stumble shortly thereafter.

"If I do a good job as a vice president — I'm sorry, as senator — I'll have the chance to do all sorts of things," Rubio said.

Speculation has ratcheted up over who Romney might select as his running mate since the Massachusetts governor effectively clinched the GOP nomination with Rick Santorum's exit from the race last week.In a national survey released by Quinnipiac University Thursday, Rubio polled behind only New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie among potential vice presidential candidates. Some 31 percent of voters surveyed said Christie would be a good choice for Romney, while 25 percent picked Rubio.