Report Chronicles Rising Florida Stars: Rubio, West, Haridopolos

Florida continues to produce rising national political stars, with three newly elected Republicans shining in their own ways: Sen. Marco Rubio, U.S. Rep. Allen West, and State Senate President Mike Haridopolos.

Yahoo News chronicles the Florida constellation in a report today:

• Rubio has been making a national media splash, appearing on national television programs and advocating against raising the nation’s debt limit. He has fielded repeated questions about whether he plans a bid for the White House, or whether he would like to be vice president. Each time, he graciously answers that he plans to be the best senator in Florida’s history.
• West, who beat incumbent Democrat Ron Klein in a contentious race last fall, has garnered a huge tea party following. His blunt style has angered not only liberals but also some conservatives. He’s already drawn a challenger for re-election, former West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel.
• Haridopolos plans to take on Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, a race expected to attract national attention. He’s advocating revitalizing the economy by “empowering individuals, not governments, and by preserving opportunity for families and innovators, and not power for bureaucrats and politicians."