After the Primary, Marco Rubio Embraces George Allen

By Shane Goldmacher  //  June 14, 2012 | 11:21 a.m.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Virginia Senate candidate George Allen, fresh off his primary win earlier in the week, became the latest Republican to bask in the warm glow of an endorsement from rising GOP star Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

The two appeared together at a flower shop in a suburban strip mall, just outside of Washington D.C.

"Whether George Allen wins or loses this race in Virginia could very well determine whether the next majority leader here in the United States Senate is a Republican or a Democrat," Rubio said. "Whether it's Mitch McConnell or continues to be Harry Reid."

Rubio, who is a favorite of both tea party activists and the GOP establishment, waited to endorse Allen until after he had cleared the GOP primary, in which he faced through underfunded challengers from the right.

In November, Allen will face former Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine in a closely watched contest. Rubio, the freshman senator from Florida who is believed to be on the short list of vice presidential picks, said the choice between Kaine and Allen is "extremely clear."

Rubio brushed aside talk of joining Mitt Romney on the presidential ticket, saying he was "flattered" to have finished first in a Conservative Political Action Conference straw poll of activists'' preference for a running mate.

"I really want to serve alongside George Allen in the Senate," he said, ranking Virginia "at the very top" of the heap of most important Senate races in the nation. Before he left the flower shop, Rubio ordered some flowers for his wife, who he said has been put through a lot in recent months. Asked if that was a reference to the Romney campaign digging into his past, he said, "No, no, no, it's about the book stuff. Having the late nights writing a book." His memoir is set to be released later this month. He ordered thirteen roses for his wife. "You can't go wrong with roses," he said.

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