A new nationwide poll from JZ Analytics found that Rubio would get 48 percent of the Hispanic vote, about twice what Mitt Romney won in 2012. Republican strategist told Secrets that a win among Latino voters that big would assure Rubio the presidency, since he would also likely keep the regular GOP base.

“If he does that good, then he’s the next president,” said a senior GOP official. “It makes him The Man, I guess,” added the official.