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Rubio On The Offensive Against Trump During Oklahoma City Campaign Stop

Kate Carlton Greer / Oklahoma Public Media Exchange
Republican presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio during a rally Friday afternoon in downtown Oklahoma City.

Republican Presidential candidate Marco Rubio visited downtown Oklahoma City Friday in advance of the state’s primary election on Tuesday.

During a standing-room only event at the Chevy Bricktown Events Center, Florida’s junior Republican U.S. Senator launched attacks at Donald Trump, calling him a “con artist” and urging supporters to encourage their Trump-supporting friends to pick another candidate. At one point during the rally, Rubio took out a cell phone and read a series of misspelled tweets from the New York businessman.

“So I looked at these tweets. How can this guy get this so wrong? These misspells because some of these letters aren't even next to each other on the keyboard on your phone,” Rubio said. “And I concluded one of two things: Either that's how they spell "choker" at the Wharton School of Business, or he must've hired foreign workers to hire his Twitter handle."

Rubio started his day in Texas, where former GOP candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gave a high-profile endorsement to Trump while criticizing Rubio. During his Oklahoma City stop, Rubio also called Trump out for claiming to identify with the working class.

“Here's what he doesn't tell you: He has spent a career in business, 50 years, sticking it to the little guy,” Rubio said.

After a series of jabs, the self-proclaimed underdog promised to expand energy policies and rebuild the military. He also said he plans to grow the military, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and ensure benefits for veterans.

It’s a busy weekend for presidential candidates in Oklahoma City. Trump is holding a rally just down the street Friday evening at the Cox Convention Center. Democratic hopeful U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, will also appear at that venue Sunday afternoon, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, will also be at the Chevy Bricktown Events Center on Sunday.

This weekend former president Bill Clinton will also make his second stop in Oklahoma in a little over a week, but details have yet to be announced.

Kate Carlton Greer was a general assignment reporter for KGOU and Oklahoma Public Media Exchange.
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