Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) got personal on ABC's "The View" Monday.
The young Florida senator, who's been mentioned as a possible Mitt Romney vice presidential pick, said he often worries he's not able to successfully balance his professional and personal life.
"I'm not sure I always get it right, because I have a job that wants me a hundred percent and I have a marriage and children that deserve a hundred percent and sometimes it runs into each other, and I worry that sometimes I have so much to do that I don't do any of those three things right," said Rubio on "The View."
Rubio, who has been making media appearances to promote his new book,
An American Son: A Memoir, said he recognized that he "has it better than most," because as a senator he can control his schedule to some extent, which is not the case for many fathers.
The son of Cuban immigrants and now father of four said when he was growing up, his father, who was a bartender, gave "one hundred percent" to his family when he was home. Rubio lamented that when he is with his children, he's often still connected to work by email and phone.
"I worry about that because I know that it will have consequences. Just like my parents and the impact they had on my life reflects on the life I live today, that's not going to be different any for my kids. That's a big worry," Rubio said.
He discussed a story in his book, where Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) chose to spend time with his own children rather than travel with the president.
"He [Leahy] told me ... 'his kids will never forget the day he chose them over the president,'" Rubio said.
The Florida senator also repeated his stance on immigration reform, criticizing the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act for being "too broad" and "encouraging illegal immigration in the future," and promoting his own GOP alternative.
Rubio explained that his proposal would give young illegal immigrants a student and work visa, which after "about ten years" would put them in the same position as other non-immigrant visa holders.
President Obama announced in mid-June that the administration would stop deporting some illegal immigrants who come to the country at a young age, a move affecting as many as 800,000 people.
"The problem with immigration is it's really complicated ... I can see both sides of the debate. It's not a 'black or white,' 'yes or no' issue," he added.
Rubio told "The View" that he understands the conflict between recognizing that many immigrants come to the United States to achieve a better life for themselves and their children, and upholding immigration laws.
He also continued his refusal to discuss the vice presidency, despite a roundabout attempt by host Barbara Walters at eliciting an answer.
Walters began the interview by saying she wouldn't "waste" her time talking about Romney's future running mate, but proceeded to ask, "if one is asked to be a vice president is one not obliged to accept?"
"Well, not if you're not discussing it, 'cause I'm not discussing the process at all," he said.
