![]()
BEAUFORT, S.C. — Marco Rubio has taken aim at several Republican rivals in the past week, calling Ted Cruz a liar and noting “behavioral differences” between himself and Donald Trump.
At a forum in this coastal town on Tuesday morning, however, Mr. Rubio appeared to take on a fresh, unexpected target: former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
In response to an audience question, the Florida senator spoke of what he believes is the scourge of big government, and while doing so referenced a measure Mr. Bloomberg advanced in New York City, later struck down by a court, to curb the sale of large, sugary drinks.
Republican Candidates' Vitriol and the GOP Primary Confusion Capital Journal Daybreak: Today on the Campaign Trail, More Donald Trump Makes Pitch to Democrats in South Carolina Marco Rubio's Competition in South Carolina: Mario Lopez Poll Scarcity Makes Nevada Caucuses a Mystery With Days to Go Risks for Senators in Backing McConnell's Call to Delay Supreme Court Appointment
“‘People eat too much? The government should be able to do something about it. Let’s ban Big Gulps,’” Mr. Rubio said to scattered laughter, referencing the large 7-Eleven serving size.
“My point is, they think government’s going to solve…They think we are incapable in our lives of taking care of issues. There has to be some regulation to deal with it. Or some tax to deal with it.”
Mr. Bloomberg, whom Mr. Rubio didn’t mention by name, has been flirting with an independent presidential bid, seeing himself potentially filling a centrist niche. Earlier this month, he said he was “looking at all the options” and called the current campaign “distressingly banal.”
An aide to Mr. Bloomberg declined to comment on Mr. Rubio’s remarks.
Mr. Bloomberg banned smoking in restaurants early in his first term as mayor, in his signature public-health accomplishment. But later public-health moves earned him a reputation on the right as a heavy handed scold. Tea party icon Sarah Palin used a Big Gulp as a prop in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference a few years ago. “Bloomberg’s not around, our Big Gulp’s safe,” she said.
More Millennial Wave Unsettles Presidential Race
Former President Bush Hits Campaign Trail to Support Brother
Kasich Aims to Keep Momentum in Michigan
