Republican Presidential hopeful Marco Rubio drew a crowd of more than 800 people inside the Crowne Plaza in Stamford, and some protestors outside. Rubio was the keynote speaker at the 37th Prescott Bush Awards Dinner. The event raised nearly $200,000 for the Connecticut Republican party.
One of his likely rivals for the GOP nomination for president is former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who is the grandson of Prescott Bush, and Rubio’s political mentor. The word "Bush," didn't come out of Rubio's mouth Thursday night, but the Washington Post described it as an "elephant in the room."
CT News Junkie reports that Rubio’s speech centered on the American economy, what he’d do as president to improve it, and how the energy sector can play a role. "We will lead the world in producing oil and natural gas so that their electric bills and gasoline bills go down," said Rubio.
Outside, many of the protesters were immigrant rights activists, who cited his voting record on immigration policies.

Meanwhile, the New Haven Independent reports that Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in Connecticut today for a private fundraiser at a home in New Haven.
The former Secretary of State graduated from Yale Law School in 1973 where she met her husband and future President Bill Clinton. Former law school dean and Clinton State Department aide Harold Koh is helping to organize the event.
Tickets for the conversation start at $2,700.