Sen. Marco Rubio says he's "closer" to making a decision about a 2016 presidential run, but he's not there yet.
The Florida Republican dismissed the notion that he couldn't get into a race already occupied by one Floridian, former Gov. Jeb Bush, the only GOPer so far to say he is actively considering a White House bid.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks to the media, Dec. 18, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
"We certainly know a lot of the same people, we also know some different people," Rubio told NPR in an interview aired Thursday. "I don't believe if I decide to run for president that that will be an impediment."
In a preview of the potential primary season to come, Rubio got into a throwdown with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) last month following President Barack Obama's surprise announcement to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
"This is not a gut decision, this is one that one needs to make obviously on the basis of facts and reality and so I haven't made a decision yet on it," Rubio told NPR. "I don't have a date in mind or a timeframe in mind, but certainly soon. We're closer to a decision than we were a month ago."
