Anderson, South Carolina (CNN) -- Marco Rubio came to South Carolina this week hoping to win over the kind of conservative hardliners who turned on him last year as the Senate immigration reform bill he sponsored hit a roadblock in the Republican-controlled House. By the time Rubio addressed a massive GOP fundraiser here on Monday evening, it wasn't his right flank he had to worry about. The Florida senator and likely presidential candidate was the headline speaker at a "Faith and Freedom" barbecue fundraiser for Rep. Jeff Duncan, the tea party-backed congressman who represents what many Republicans consider the most conservative House district in the state.
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The Florida senator is a likely candidate for the GOP presidential nomination
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He was a speaker at the "Faith and Freedom" barbecue fundraiser Monday night
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Group of DREAMers heckled him during his speech
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Conservatives liked what they heard, but want him to explain his views on immigration
A plugged-in @placeholder operative turned to a reporter and observed dryly, "I couldn't think of a better way to make Rubio look good in South Carolina."
But @placeholder had kind words for the man who graced his fundraiser.