Sen. Marco Rubio has some making up to do with part of the Florida voting base.
A dig by the Republican presidential candidate at Florida State University was supposed to be lighthearted smack talk, but it wasn't received that way by everyone.
Rubio was a guest of the Sports Fanatics on Des Moines, Iowa's KXNO-AM and was asked about the dynamics of the Florida-Florida State football rivalry.
Without hesitation, he cracked:
I don't have anything against Florida State. I think there has to be a school where people that can't get into Florida can go to college, and so that's why we have Florida State.
It was the kind of chippy comment any Florida graduate or Gator fan might make. (Rubio earned his bachelor's degree from Florida after attending Santa Fe Community College and before getting law degree from Miami.) But it irked FSU students, grads and fans, and they've been reacting on social media for two days.
It also went viral via ESPN, SB Nation and USA Today. And it prompted a comeback from FSU President John Thrasher, who is backing former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's presidential campaign.
Thrasher told the Tallahassee Democrat:
He’s a nice kid. I’m sure he’s frustrated by his low standing in the polls, which I believe could be a reflection of where he got his education.
Rubio actually made the comment last week. His own campaign staff uploaded audio onto his Soundcloud page this week, and it got widespread notice Tuesday.
Pundits are questioning whether the wisecrack will actually hurt Rubio's campaign, but the senator, who'll participate in tonight's nationally televised Republican presidential debate, is asking people to lighten up.
"$FSU fans relax," he tweeted. "It was just college football trash talk on sports radio, not serious statement on @meetthepress."
He quickly added, "But we are still going to #BeatFSU."