Mitt Romney’s crushing loss is Marco Rubio’s spectacular gain with the charismatic junior senator from Florida now a rising GOP star, according to veteran political commentator George Will.
"During the Republican nominating process, the party turned first to one person and then to another to try and avoid what turned out to be inevitable," Will, a Newsmax contribbutor and longtime Washington Post columnist, told ABC News.
"If there's a winner tonight, it's the Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio because all eyes are now going to be turned to him as a man who might have a way to broaden the demographic appeal of this party."
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Will noted that President Barack Obama finished his campaign “with a kick and both sides fought a gallant fight.’’
Rubio, 41, certainly sounded like a rising star as he gave his take on Tuesday’s election results.
"I join my fellow Americans in thanking God we live in an exceptional democratic country where our leaders are elected peacefully at the ballot box. And I congratulate President Obama on his victory," he said.
"In the next Congress, I am committed to working on upward mobility policies that will ensure people who work hard and play by the rules can rise above the circumstances of their birth and leave their children better off."
He also had some marching orders for his party.
"The conservative movement should have particular appeal to people in minority and immigrant communities who are trying to make it, and Republicans need to work harder than ever to communicate our beliefs to them," said Rubio on his Facebook page.
"I look forward to working on these goals with my new and returning colleagues in Congress and hope the President will get behind our efforts."
Rubio — Florida’s junior senator — has served since January 2011 and previously served as the Speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Romney had considered Rubio as a possible running mate before ultimately choosing Paul Ryan.
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