On earmarks:

Not yet in office, Florida Sen.-elect Marco Rubio will play a significant role next week in what promises to be the first post-election test of tea party-backed lawmakers’ ability to deliver on campaign pledges.
Rubio is backing conservative firebrand Sen. Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican who says he’ll force an internal vote among incoming GOP senators on Tuesday to freeze all requests for earmarks — the federal dollars lawmakers put aside for special projects.
He’s counting on support from eight incumbent senators — and five incoming senators, including Rubio, who won election last week with financial backing from DeMint and strong support from tea party activists. The new lawmakers won’t be sworn in until January.
Rubio decried earmarks on the campaign trail, calling the practice of setting aside money for special projects “one that lends itself to [a] sort of corruption.’’
“Powerful legislators are able to secure millions and millions of dollars for their home districts at the expense of the rest of the country,’’ he said in a campaign video. “It’s wrong.’’
A spokesman for Rubio — who was on a personal trip to Israel — said Wednesday that the Florida Republican won’t ask for any earmarks, even if DeMint’s bid fails to pass. Spokesman Alex Burgos said the ban was one of 12 ideas Rubio suggested as ways to cut federal spending. Rubio estimated the move would save up to $20 billion a year.

Outgoing Sen. George LeMieux (R., Fla.), who’s eyeing a 2012 Senate bid, agrees.