If you could have a beer with anyone who isn’t a politician, who would it be?
Well, for Senator Marco Rubio, this answer is harder than you think.
Rubio claims he would like to have a beer with Malala Yousafzai, the inspiring 18-year-old Pakistani activist who survived a shot to the head from the Taliban. The Florida senator, who is currently running for president as a Republican, shared this at his Q&A for young professionals held at St. Anslem College in New Hampshire on Wednesday, according to Gawker.
This wasn’t the best answer Rubio could have given—Not only is Malala three years under the U.S. drinking age, she’s also a practicing Muslim, and therefore can’t drink alcohol regardless of age.
So what does this mean for collegiettes? For one, it shows us that while Rubio does know the name of one of the most influential and inspiring teens on the planet, he seemed to choose Malala as a cheap trick to show voters that he knows who she is. Whether Rubio had good intentions or is completely unaware of Malala’s actual age and story is too soon to tell. But we know one thing for sure: This wasn’t Rubio’s shining moment.
What are your thoughts, and will Malala respond? Let us know what you think!