Marco Rubio Warns of ‘Civilizational Struggle’ in First TV Ad

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio released his first television advertisement on Sunday as his campaign seeks to build on his performance in the early Republican debates.

The ad focuses entirely on national security after the Paris attacks, with Rubio standing before a darkened background and warning about the danger of terrorism.

“This is a civilizational struggle between the values of freedom and liberty, and radical Islamic terror,” Rubio says. What happened in Paris could happen here. There is no middle ground. These aren’t disgruntled or dis-empowered people. These are radical terrorists who want to kill us, because we let women drive, because we let girls go to school… Either they win or we do.”

Shortly after the attack, Rubio said repeatedly that the United States is in a “clash of civilizations” with radical Islam. Rubio was seen as performing well in the first debates, partly by strongly articulating his views on terrorism.

Rubio’s ad will run nationwide on cable networks.