Tired of being called "Little Marco" during Donald Trump's bombastic presidential campaign, last month Marco Rubio raised eyebrows when he hurled insults back at the Republican front-runner during a campaign rally.
The senator from Florida made fun of Mr Trump's spray tan and small hands to roaring applause from his audience. In the days after his remarks, it was seen as Mr Trump dragging his rival's rhetoric down to his level.
On Wednesday, Mr Rubio said he regrets making fun of Mr Trump, not least because it embarrassed his children.
"At the end of the day, you know what? It's not something I'm entirely proud of," Mr Rubio said during an MSNBC town-hall event. "My kids were embarrassed by it, and I, you know, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't."
The insults appear to have hurt Mr Rubio much more than Mr Trump, who won big on Super Tuesday, and now has won 15 states to Mr Rubio's one and Puerto Rico.
The candidates now are campaigning in Florida, Mr Rubio's home state, ahead of a winner-take-all primary on March 15. If Mr Rubio fails to win in Florida, his presidential campaign could well be finished.
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