U.S. News, citing an anonymous Bush aide, said the reference was to “concerns Mitt Romney’s team unearthed in when they vetted Rubio for vice president in 2012.” The slot would ultimately go to Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, now the speaker of the House.

But in an email to POLITICO, Matt Rhoades, Romney’s campaign manager in 2012, pushed back, saying that “Gov. Romney’s ultimate decision in selecting his vice presidential running mate had absolutely nothing to do with vetting issues with Sen. Marco Rubio.”

“Our vetting team was confident that, if chosen, Sen. Rubio’s legislative record and high personal character would have been a great asset to Gov. Romney,” Rhoades added. “To say otherwise is utterly dishonest.”