The Note: Why Marco Rubio Is Running

— -- NOTABLES

--'I CAN LEAD THIS COUNTRY': Marco Rubio is running for president in 2016, the Florida senator told ABC's GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS in an exclusive interview yesterday, because: "I think this country's at a generational moment where it needs to decide not what party it wants in charge but what kind of country are we going to want to be moving forward. I think the 21st century can be the American century, and I believe that I can lead this country in that direction. I can help lead it there from the Senate. I can lead it there as president." A few hours later, Rubio formally announced his campaign at the Freedom Tower, a downtown Miami building with historical significance for thousands of Cuban-Americans, ABC's ARLETTE SAENZ writes. http://abcn.ws/1DbQ1uT

--RUBIO WOULD REOPEN GITMO, REVERSE OBAMA FOREIGN POLICY: If President Obama succeeds in closing the Guantanamo Bay prison as he has promised at the outset of his first term in the White House, Rubio would "absolutely," reopen it, he said in the interview. "I think from a national-security perspective, this deal with Iran is an extremely dangerous one," Rubio said when asked what he would do on his first day as president, ABC's CHRIS GOOD notes. "I think the next president of the United States is going to have to deal with that on day number one." http://abcn.ws/1CRWBDg

--WHY JEB ISN'T KEEPING RUBIO OUT OF 2016: Rubio also said he won't let his bid for the White House come between him and his long-time mentor, fellow Republican -- and likely 2016 rival – former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. "Jeb is my friend, he's still my friend, he will continue to be," Rubio said. "I think it's important to understand - I'm not running against Jeb Bush, and I hope he's not running against me. We are competing for the same job." Rubio, 43, revealed in 2012 that his motto in the Senate was WWJD or "What would Jeb do?" Rubio said he still has "tremendous admiration" for the 62-year-old former Florida governor. But the country needs a "new and vibrant" candidate, he said, ABC's ERIN DOOLEY reports. http://abcn.ws/1HkJBfZ

FIRST IN THE NOTE: FLORIDA GOV. RICK SCOTT HAS INVITED POTENTIAL 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO FLORIDA this summer to participate in an economic summit in Orlando, ABC's ARLETTE SAENZ reports. The first ever "Governor Rick Scott's Economic Growth Summit" will take place at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club on June 2. The lineup currently features Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, and Scott Walker. "I am honored to host potential Republican presidential contenders in Florida to share with Americans their plans to take our country into greater prosperity, and am proud to showcase our state as a leader in job creation and economic growth," Scott told ABC News.

THE BUZZwith ABC's VERONICA STRACQUALURSI

HILLARY CLINTON MAKES SURPRISE PIT STOP AT CHIPOTLE. WHERE WILL SHE END UP NEXT? Hillary Clinton, who has embarked on a roughly 1,000 mile road trip after formally announcing her presidential bid on Sunday, was spotted at a Chipotle in Maumee, Ohio Monday afternoon. According to Manager Charles Wright, no one recognized Clinton, who was wearing sunglasses. The newly-minted presidential candidate ordered a chicken bowl with guacamole, a chicken salad and fruit juice, according to Wright. This was just the second Clinton sighting in as many days, according to ABC's ERIN DOOLEY and JASON VOLACK. http://abcn.ws/1yoMxXf