Out-of-towners face-off outside Rubio Town Hall

BEDFORD, N.H. — One day after the Republican debate, Sen. Marco Rubio supporters and undecided voters gathered at a middle school here to hear the presidential hopeful make his final push for why the citizens of New Hampshire should vote him their Republican nominee. Despite Rubio’s less than satisfactory performance at ABC’s debate on Saturday, supporters were still excited to see their candidate up close and personal.

“Marco Rubio is the most electable and most realistic candidate,” said Kristie Forte of Manchester.  “It is so important to have a candidate who can compromise and work with Republicans and Democrats to get things done. He is trying to fix a broken system, and only he is trying to make a change.”

Although most people waited patiently in line in the brisk weather, others showed up to exercise their right to free speech and advocate against the Florida senator.

“He’s a total disaster. He’s a one-time Senator with no accomplishment and we see that!” yelled Maryland native Ryan Miner, who traveled here specifically to meet face-to-face with the presidential candidates. “This is a novelty in Maryland. In New Hampshire, you can walk up and have a conversation. You can’t get that anywhere else.”

He was joined by his colleagues, Kimberly Euler and Leah Wolczko, who engaged with a Rubio supporter as he inched his way toward the door of the Rubio event.

“Everyone has talking points!” exclaimed a Rubio supporter.

“He got stuck on them like a broken record,” the protester shouted. “He’s the worst! He’s the worst of the worst! I know he voted to extend our spending by a trillion dollars…He’s not conservative!”

See the full exchange below:

Video by Sharon Lee

Miner was adamant that Rubio is too similar to President Barack Obama, was a disaster at the debate on Saturday, and, “You don’t want a candidate who can only rely on talking points and stump speeches!” He said he was a staunch Rand Paul supporter and Libertarian.

The Kentucky Senator suspended his candidacy after a poor performance at the Iowa Primary earlier this month. Miner was a volunteer for Paul’s campaign until its conclusion, and although his candidate is no longer in the race, and the Maryland Primary is two months away, Miner continues to candidate shop until he finds the person he believes is right for the presidency.

“The country needs someone that is experienced, is smart, dedicated, passionate, and has respect for the constitution,” he said.