This evening, Florida Senator Marco Rubio publicly announced his candidacy for President of the United States. As Francisco Alvarez at FoxNews Latino notes, making the announcement from the Freedom Tower in Miami is very significant to Rubio:

In an interview with the Miami Herald recently , Rubio – whose parents arrived in the U.S. and were given permanent residency in 1956, that is before Castro’s revolution took place – said he chose the Freedom Tower because the building holds significant personal value to generations of Cuban-Americans.
“To me, it’s a place that’s symbolic of the promise of America,” Rubio told the Herald. “Literally, five decades ago, tens of thousands of people came here after losing their country and began their new life.”

Earlier today, during a call with major donors, Rubio told backers that he believes he is uniquely qualified to represent the Republican Party and that it’s the GOP that will defend the American Dream. AP’s Philip Elliott and Brendan Farrington report:

In previewing his campaign’s central message, Rubio said the dream is slipping from too many families’ grip, and young Americans face unequal opportunities to succeed. It was a message honed to pitch the GOP as a party that cares about all voters, not just those in upper tax brackets.
“I feel uniquely qualified to not just make that argument, but to outline the policies that we need to have in order to achieve it,” he said.

Prior to the rally, Rubio met with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.  In answer to the question of why he is running, Rubio replied:

“I think this country’s at a generational moment where it needs to decide not what party it wants in charge but what kind of country are we going to want to be moving forward,” Rubio told Stephanopoulos in an interview at the Florida senator’s home. “I think the 21st century can be the American century, and I believe that I can lead this country in that direction. I can help lead it there from the Senate. I can lead it there as president.”

At tonight’s rally, he launched his campaign with a rejection of the leaders and ideas that are stuck always looking back at yesterday. Instead he is urging Americans to look forward to  “A New American Century”:

A quick roundup of quotes from his announcement, reactions, and swipes at a certain Democrat Presidential contender make for interesting reading:

"The family NOT the Gvt is the most important institution in America"
WISE WORDS FROM @marcorubio #Rubio2016

— Covfefe Bunny ❤️ (@millie_landin) April 13, 2015

"We must change the decisions we are making by changing the people who are making them"

— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) April 13, 2015

Rubio: 'Just yesterday, a leader from yesterday began a campaign for President by promising to take us back to yesterday.'

— Byron York (@ByronYork) April 13, 2015

.@marcorubio: "I am humbled by the realization that America doesn't owe me anything; but I have a debt to America I must try to repay."

— Chloe (@ChloeSommersTV) April 13, 2015

Because I believe our very identity as an exceptional nation is at stake, and I can make a difference as President.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 13, 2015

This speech tells you one thing that you should already know: Rubio has significant natural ability. The guy has talent.

— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) April 13, 2015

Damn. That speech was absolutely incredible. So much American pride. #Rubio2016

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) April 13, 2015

Hell of a Rubio speech. Very powerful. And emotional. Especially in the room.

— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) April 13, 2015

Hillary, watching Rubio speech in van on way to Iowa, tells driver to turn around and go home.

— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) April 13, 2015

https://twitter.com/NoahWehrman/status/587742900747776003

Senator Marco Rubio, a son of Cuban immigrants is now vying for the highest office in the land. He faces a tough race in an already competitive Republican field.  However, his speech garnered such positive reaction that the visits to the campaign website caused it to crash. And its evident that he knows strategy.  Otherwise, a certain Democrat contender for President would be enjoying more of a bump than she currently is. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that Hillary Clinton, who is road-tripping her Scooby Doo van to Iowa, is gnashing her teeth and wishing she hadn’t refused publicity when she stopped for that chicken bowl from Chipotle. For that and more, the Rubio campaign is most certainly one worth watching.