GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio talks jobs, economy

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio brought his presidential campaign to Michigan today to talk jobs and the economy with members of the Detroit Economic Club.

Rubio already released his plan for the economy in July, calling for a cut in corporate taxes to 25%, allowing companies to expense 100% of investments, including new equipment; increasing the maximum per-child tax credit to $2,500, replacing the Earned Income Tax Credit with a $500 per year job enhancement credit and removing the marriage penalty on taxes.

But it was an unscripted question from the audience about the racism and poverty that pervades cities like Detroit that drew the most passionate response from Rubio.

"We have millions of people in this country, who feel they are being left behind in opportunities, by the American dream, by the country as a whole. We can't ignore it," he said. "In many communities in this country, the relationship between minority communities and police and law enforcement agencies are terrible. I personally know someone, an African-American male who happens to be a police officer, who last year was stopped eight times. He never got a ticket. He was never told why he was being stopped. You stop me anytime for no reason, I'm gong to be really upset and so would you."

As a state legislator in Florida, Rubio said they adopted programs that provided resources and intense services for young men in urban communities, many of whom felt they had a better chance of landing in jail than going to college.

"We do need to confront it as an issue," he said. "We can not succeed as a country if a significant percentage of our population — millions of people and in particular young African-American males — feel locked out from the promise of our country."

In his speech before about 300 people at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, he also tied his plan to Detroit's travails.

"No city understands the vision and toil it took to build the American Century better than Detroit. No city understands the heights attainable through the American Dream better than Detroit. And no city understands the pain of losing that dream — and the importance of restoring it — better than Detroit," he said. "And that is why this city, the heart of the old economy, is the perfect place to discuss how we can embrace A New American Economy — one even grander and richer in opportunity than ever before."

Rubio used two fictional Detroiters — small business owner David and his receptionist, single mother Danielle — to illustrate how his New American Economy plan would affect them with growing the business and getting the education needed to move from receptionist to mechanic.

"A pro-growth agenda will help not just David, but also his employees," he said.

The only other presidential candidate he mentioned was Democrat Hillary Clinton, slamming her plan for making college more affordable and to more strictly regulate businesses. But when he was asked about the challenges of running against popular outsiders like Donald Trump and Ben Carson, he said he understands why people are angry and turning toward non politicians.

"Four times in the last five elections, the American people have voted for change and change hasn't happened," he said. "We should be upset and frustrated with leaders. But we can't let anger define us as a people."

In a question and answer session, he also addressed a number of other issues, including:

What should happen with Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information about the National Security Agency's surveillance program: "He's a traitor and he should go to jail."

How to defeat ISIS: "In the short term it will take more American involvement. We need to send in special forces, capture their leaders."

His feelings about the nuclear deal with Iran: "It's a really good deal for Iran, but bad for everybody else ... This deal goes in, nothing changes and Iran will have a nuclear weapon in 10 years."

President Barack Obama's executive order involving Cuba: "I would change them all because Cuba has to change as well."

How he feels about running against fellow Floridian Jeb Bush: "It's not difficult at all because I'm not running against Jeb Bush. I'm running for president."

Democrats slammed Rubio's plans for the economy, calling it a disastrous agenda for the country in general and, especially for Michigan.

"He had a lot of audacity to come to Detroit to talk about his economic plans when he opposed the auto bailout that would have destroyed the auto industry if it hadn't passed," said Brandon Dillon, chairman of the state Democratic Party. "Michigan is looking for people who, when it was crunch time, weren't complicit in trying to sell us down the river. We need people who know how important the auto industry is to the state of Michigan."

Rubio is polling in the top third of the pack of Republican candidates, according to an average of all the recent polls done by Real Clear Politics. He's trailing billionaire businessman Donald Trump, Bush, pediatric neurosurgeon and Detroit native Dr. Ben Carson and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

In Michigan, he doesn't have much of a campaign organization yet, and he's trailing in campaign cash, raising only $58,831 in the state.

But the Detroit Economic Club is a must for presidential candidates as they search for support and campaign funds. Bush, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, have already spoken to the club.

State Rep. Klint Kesto, R-Commerce Township, said he's intrigued by Rubio.

"He's a breath of fresh air that we need to make America greater," said Kesto, who also is looking at Bush and Walker. "I like Marco Rubio's youth. I like his passion and we share a lot of similarities. I'm a son of immigrants who came here without two nickels to rub together."

Contact Kathleen Gray: 517-372-8661 or kgray99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @michpoligal