Marco Rubio gives speech in Iowa

ALTOONA, Ia. (WSVN) -- What was Senator Marco Rubio doing in Iowa? Some would say, setting up a potential 2016 presidential run.

After a republican defeat, the senator gave a speech in Altoona, Iowa.

Rubio made the trip for Iowa Governor Terry Brandstadt's birthday party, but the implications and importance are clear.

Every four years it is traditionally the first presidential caucus in the country and viewed until then as a litmus test for possible candidates.

Rubio addressed the biggest near term issue, the impending fiscal cliff.

"The fiscal cliff is a complete creation of the political branch in Washington DC," said Senator Marco Rubio. "And it's an example once more of a dysfunctional process that threatens our economy and millions of people across our economy."

In a more than 20-minute campaign-style pitch to fellow republicans, the Florida senator urged his party not to lose hope in the wake of Mitt Romney's loss on election day.

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