Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marco Rubio, whose father, Mario Rubio, died last night at the age of 83 from lung cancer and emphysema. Marco had canceled a debate appearance with his Democratic opponent, Kendrick Meek, to be by his father's side (Charlie Crist had declined to participate), and he was also joined by his mother, brother, and two sisters and extended family.
Rubio's campaign released this message from Marco:
My father knew hard work and struggle from very early in his life. His mother died when he was only 9 years old. The day after his mother was buried he went to work with his father and did not stop working until he was 78 years old.
He was by far the most unselfish person I have ever known, always focused on others, and never on his own well being. He was especially determined to provide his children opportunities he himself never had.
My dad worked as a street vendor, security guard, apartment building manager and crossing guard. But for most of his life he was a bartender, and by all accounts a great one. But his greatest success came from the two most important jobs he ever had: husband and father.
He was very proud of my public service. And over the last 18 months he became an expert channel surfer, constantly searching for my next television interview.
I was blessed to be raised by a world class father. And I thank God for allowing my father to live long and healthy enough to see that the sacrifices he made for us were not in vain.
Since learning of the news on Friday morning, I along with my family have kept Marco and his family in our prayers. The passing of a father occurs only once in a lifetime and ever the dutiful son, Marco was where all children would hope to be during this time of family need - at his dad's bedside surrounded by family. That Marco's father could come to this country with next to nothing, raise a loving and growing family to include a son who is a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Florida, is a testament to the strength of the Rubio character and proof positive of the greatness of this nation.
Political differences takes a back seat to the priority at hand - caring for a mother and spending time with family. Let mourning be combined with celebration for a life that is exceptionally American, a life that only a handful of people have ever lived. My wife Leslie, our children, and my mother Carrie extend our condolences to you Marco and your family.
I disagree with Meek on practically every political issue, but he has been a class act in the way he has run his Senate campaign and is showing that classiness again here. What a warm and sincere statement of sympathy.
Contrast that with Charlie Crist, who released this statement:
[crickets]
Yep, that's right. Nothing. Charlie has not said a darn thing. Seriously, how hard is it to get a staffer to send out a short press release saying that "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rubio family at this difficult time." I thought it was pretty pathetic he was blowing off the debate in the first place to go to an AFL-CIO picnic (AGAIN, who the **** are the Republicans who still answer polls saying they support this guy?!), but Charlie's silence today is deafening.
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