Rubio: 'We're going to have a good night' Monday

CEDAR FALLS, Ia. – Marco Rubio told a crowd Sunday that this Monday's Republican presidential caucus “is not about making a point, it’s about making a difference.”

The Florida senator asked the crowd to pray about who they’ll support Monday. Then he made a direct pitch for their support, attempting to counter the evangelical appeal of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who is polling in second place here.

“It’s not just about who you like the most,” said Rubio, who's vying for the Republican nomination. “It’s about who gives us the best chance to win. That matters. If at the end, on policy, the differences are not enormous, then who gives us the best chance to win?”

With one day left until the first contest of his presidential campaign, however, some Iowans remain undecided about Rubio.

And Saturday’s Iowa Poll does not indicate a late surge.

Rubio said Sunday on "Meet the Press" that he’s "comfortable and confident" about his position in Iowa in response to a question on why he isn't doing better here, despite a high favorability rating.

The senator pointed to the competitive and crowded Republican field, but maintained that he'll receive enough delegates to win the GOP nomination.

“Voters have a lot of choices,” he said. “I think once the race narrows, I feel very good about our prospects.”

"But we're going to have a good night," he said of Monday. "We're going to have a lot of support. And I'm very excited about it."

Several Iowans told the Register they’re waiting until then to decide who to support, including Sheila DeVries of Cedar Falls, who spent Saturday rushing between campaign events for Carly Fiorina, Chris Christie and Jeb Bush. On Sunday, she nabbed a seat near the front at Rubio’s town hall here.

“I’m still going back and forth,” said the 53-year-old healthcare marketer, who’s seen nine candidates at 11 events this cycle.

Less than half of Rubio supporters — 47 percent — have made up their mind on who to support, according to the Iowa Poll. That's a smaller percentage than the two frontrunners: Donald Trump at 71 percent and Ted Cruz at 61 percent.

But Rubio has won over others, including first-time caucus-goer Dina Hanken, who feels a “sense of urgency” to participate in her first Iowa caucus.

Rubio's message of unifying the Republican Party and the country resonated with the 46-year-old home daycare provider.

“I liked what Cruz had to say,” the Aplington resident said. “But he’s too divisive to bring the sides together.”

Rubio promised he will do just that.

“I will be a president for all Americans, even for the people who don’t vote for me,” he said at the town hall. “I will work every day to make their lives better and the country safer for all of us.”

ABOUT THE EVENT

SETTING: Ballrooms at the Maucker Union at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, the Double Tree Hotel in Cedar Rapids and at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

CROWD: Almost 400 in Cedar Falls, and almost 450 in Cedar Rapids.

REACTION: The Cedar Falls crowd gave Rubio a standing ovation, and applauded several times during his speech.

WHAT’S NEXT: Rubio will hold a caucus night celebration Monday in Des Moines.