Marco Rubio Muses To GQ On The Earth's Age, Public Enemy, Pitbull, And His Best Friend

Nov. 19, 2012— -- Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R) fielded questions on a litany of topics from the age of the Earth to his favorite rap artists in a wide ranging interview published online Monday by GQ.

The senator, who has recently created buzz about a potential presidential run in 2016, said that he is not qualified to answer how old the Earth is, calling the question a "dispute among theologians."

"I'm not a scientist, man. I can tell you what recorded history says, I can tell you what the Bible says, but I think that's a dispute amongst theologians and I think it has nothing to do with the gross domestic product or economic growth of the United States," he told GQ Magazine. "I think the age of the universe has zero to do with how our economy is going to grow. I'm not a scientist. I don't think I'm qualified to answer a question like that."

Scientists estimate that the Earth is more than 4.5 billion years old, but Rubio said that all viewpoints on the subject should be taught to children, including those rooted in religious faith.

"I think parents should be able to teach their kids what their faith says, what science says. Whether the Earth was created in seven days, or seven actual eras, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to answer that. It's one of the great mysteries," he said.

A known hip hop fan, Rubio also commented on his favorite artists and songs and the changing nature of this music. He pointed to Public Enemy as group that transformed the genre.

"No one talks about how transformative they were. And then that led to the '90s and the sort of East Coast v. West Coast stuff, which is kinda when I came of age," he said.

Rubio named "Straight Outta Compton" by N.W.A., "Killuminati" by Tupac, Eminem's "Lose Yourself" as his favorite rap songs.

He does not seem to be a fan of the music of his fellow Miamian, Pitbull.

"His songs are all party songs. There's no message for him, compared to like an Eminem. But look, there's always been a role for that in American music," he said.

Rubio also spoke about his personal life and his career in the Senate. Other than his wife, he named South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), a figure who is popular among conservative Tea Party activists, as his best friend as well as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

"[DeMint is] a great source of wisdom as a person who's had to make decisions that have made him unpopular in his own party. Jeb Bush is another guy I admire for his ability to analyze issues and call them for what they are," he said.