Rubio looks to April 13 Miami launch

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is strongly considering launching his presidential campaign April 13 at the Freedom Tower, a historic Miami landmark known as the “Ellis Island of the South,” according to Republicans familiar with his thinking.

From its name to its history – it once served as a U.S. clearinghouse for Cuban exiles fleeing Fidel Castro – Miami’s Mediterranean-style Freedom Tower underscores the themes of Rubio’s political career and his likely campaign. He’s a first-generation son of immigrants who has sought to make the American Dream synonymous with his biography.

Rubio’s possible April 13 launch date was first reported by The Tampa Bay Times. However, the Miami Heat plays against the Orlando Magic that evening at the American Airlines Arena, which sits right across Biscayne Boulevard — raising the prospect of a traffic nightmare. And the Freedom Tower hasn’t yet been secured by Rubio’s Washington-based team, which will inspect it this week to see if it’s the right venue.

They’re also considering other locations, which have yet to surface publicly.

Rubio’s advisors are closely monitoring Clinton’s possible announcement date in an attempt to ensure the Florida senator can own the news cycle.

Alex Conant, a Rubio spokesman, said the campaign would soon make public a location and time for an announcement. “We’ll lock it in early next week and let everyone know,” he wrote in an email. )(Full Story)