Marco Rubio touts conservatism, experience at North Myrtle Beach stump

Less than a week before the S.C. Republican primary, Marco Rubio is looking to the South for more support.

The Florida U.S. senator spent Tuesday night talking with more than 500 people at the Barefoot Resort Conference Center in North Myrtle Beach, addressing health care, conservatism and limited federal government. He was supported by Rep. Tom Rice – who represents Horry County – and North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley.

S.C. Sen. Tim Scott kicked off the event with three reasons why he’s voting for Rubio. The first: Scott wanted a commander in chief “from day one.” The second: he wants a conservative who markets himself to a new generation of voters. And thirdly?

“I want someone who understands personally the journey from rags to reality – not riches,” Scott said. “I want someone who understands the middle class.”

Throughout his hour-long stump, Rubio focused on his ability to unite the Republican party – a necessary skill during this election.

“If we’re not together, we can’t win this election,” Rubio said.

Rubio marketed himself as a conservative, Republican candidate who, if elected, would rebuild and protect the military, usher in a more limited federal government and improve the American healthcare system. He stressed the importance of allowing the next president to appoint a supreme justice to replace the late Antonin Scalia to prevent “there being five to six Supreme Court Justices that will rule that the constitution is a flexible document,” he said.

“This election has to be about making a difference – a difference in this country,” Rubio said.

Barbara Hardman, who recently moved to North Myrtle Beach, said she was pleased with Rubio’s stump. She’ still undecided but hearing a candidate in person went a long way to solidifying her decision, she said.

“It helps a little to get the whole story,” Hardman said. “He’s one I could see myself voting for.”

Rubio needs all the South Carolina votes he can get. He’s spent the past few weeks separating himself from a gaggle of other GOP candidates – including former Gov. Jeb Bush, who was in Myrtle Beach last week – but recent polls peg Rubio tied with another frontrunner.

A Public Policy Polling survey released Monday has Rubio tied with Ted Cruz for second place, both winning 18 percent support in the state. In that poll, businessman Donald Trump is at 35 percent.

While espousing his own track record of “turning conservatism into action,” Rubio took a jab at Trump.

“I didn’t become a conservative 2 years ago – I’ve been doing it for 15 years,” he said.

Having the personal contact with a presidential candidate has given Teresa Frazer, of Ohio, more confidence in who she’s voting for this month. Frazer was on vacation when she heard about Rubio’s event, and decided to attend the speech on her last day on the Grand Strand.

She’s in favor of Rubio’s quest to revamp healthcare – especially Medicare – and hearing him talk about his plans has let her with a better understanding of the issues.

“These talks are more personal, and you feel that contact with him,” Frazer said. “It makes you feel like he’s actually going to do what he says he’s going to do.”

She might even start campaigning for Rubio back in her home state.

“Ohio, here I come,” she said.

Rubio ended his speech explaining how his parents immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba, started a family, bought a house and retired “with dignity.” His reasoning for running for president is simple: to build his children an America with the same opportunities given to his family.

“The Democrats don’t want to run against me. I can’t wait to run against them,” Rubio said. “Won’t you give me the chance?”

South Carolinians head to the polls on Saturday for the “first in the south” Republican primary, followed by the Democratic primary on Feb. 27.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 8:30 PM with the headline "Marco Rubio touts conservatism, experience at North Myrtle Beach stump."