told GQ's Michael Hainey in the magazine's December issue. “I don’t think I’m qualified to answer a question like that. At the end of the day, I think there are multiple theories out there on how the universe was created and I think this is a country where people should have the opportunity to teach them all. ... Whether the Earth was created in 7 days, or 7 actual eras, I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to answer that. It’s one of the great mysteries."

In an interview with Jeb Bush Jr. on Tuesday, CNN's Soledad O'Brien noted that Rubio seemed to be pandering to scientists and people who support creationism with a "multiple non-answer."

"It was a strange question and kind of a head-scratching type of answer," the younger Bush agreed. "Going back to the Republican Party and how we kind of shape the tone, we got to be a kind of pro-science and pro-technology party. And I think Marco Rubio is just that.

He added: "But we also can't forget about our traditional values, things like faith and family. And Sen. Rubio certainly represents that. On the Earth question, I guess I have to read more closely in terms of getting a better understanding, but, yeah, kind of a strange response, I guess."

On the question of whether his dad would run for president in 2016, Jeb Bush Jr. offered a strange response of his own: "I don't know... no comment... I certainly hope so."