Marco Rubio’s new Spanish commercial: ‘You know me’ — but what does it say about Zika-abortion issue?

Accusing his Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of lying about him, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has released a new Spanish-language TV commercial declaring, “You know me.”

Yet the the commercial leaves unclear what it was that Murphy is alleged to have lied about regarding Rubio. The narrator and visuals do not make it clear if the commercial is accusing Murphy of lying by saying that Rubio would oppose all abortions even if the woman has Zika — which can cause horrible brain deformities in newborns — or if the commercial is accusing Murphy of lying by saying that Rubio would not oppose abortions in such cases.

Rubio, long staunchly opposed to abortion in any circumstances, is on record, in an Aug. 6 interview with POLITICO, as opposing abortions, even if the woman is infected with Zika. In fact, that interview is cited in the commercial.

Murphy always acknowledged that position for Rubio — accusing Rubio of being so anti-abortion that he would even oppose abortions if the woman has Zika.

Yet here’s how the new commercial addresses the matter.

As the narrator declares, “And now he lies about Marco,” an image comes on the screen showing a pregnant woman staring out into the surf. The text next to the woman reads, in Spanish: “Marco Rubio ‘No abortions for women infected with Zika.'”

As the narrator finishes that sentence, the next image is of Murphy, stamped with the word “False.”

The commercial, “Me Concoce,” is airing in Spanish media markets starting today, throughout Florida, for Florida’s U.S. Senate race.

The ad accuses Murphy of lying about a lot more than just Rubio, hinting at the allegations that Murphy embellished his resume, and also reiterates reports from last year that rated Murphy among the most ineffective members of Congress. It doesn’t specify what it was Murphy said about Rubio that was a lie.

Here’s the full translation of the commercial:

“Patrick Murphy is one of the most inefficient members of Congress. He lied about his experience,” the female narrator states. “He has not been concerned about our issues and now he lies about Marco, when Marco has been there for us as an expert on national security, and has worked hard on reforms to education, while fighting for lower taxes to defend the cause of freedom.”

“I’m Marco Rubio and I approve this message because you know me,” Rubio concludes in Spanish.

The two campaigns exchanged shots over the meaning of the commercial, without clearing up much. Both agree the statement is a response to an earlier Murphy commercial. Murphy’s campaign argues that if that commercial is inaccurate, then Rubio appears to be announcing a new position on abortion in his commercial.

Either way, the two campaigns made it clear the two candidates are miles apart on abortion.

“Marco Rubio is reckless in his opposition to a woman’s right to choose in cases of rape, incest, and even if a pregnant woman is infected with Zika,” Murphy campaign spokeswoman Galia Slayen stated. “He is also reckless with the truth. It’s a fact that Rubio has stood with the far right and is wholly opposed to a woman’s right to choose. Either Rubio added his pro-life stance to his long list of flip-flops and forgot to let voters know, or he is brazenly lying to Florida families. Either way, Floridians deserve answers.”

“Patrick Murphy has repeatedly distorted Marco’s record,” Rubio spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas stated in a response. “The truth is that Murphy supports using taxpayer money to fund abortions and supports late-term abortions. Murphy’s extreme left-wing positions put him out of touch with the vast majority of Floridians.”