Posts tagged Marco Rubio
Holding Politicians Accountable
Heh, The Onion: “The brightly lit, stark-white room gradually coming into focus as he regained consciousness, GOP presidential candidate Marco Rubio reportedly awoke in the Koch brothers’ secret compound Thursday and reached suddenly to his throbbing head to discover a cold metal device implanted behind his left ear.”
Is it Sufficient Yet?
In 2012, billionaire hedge funder Ken Griffin said the wealthy have “insufficient influence” in politics:
Yesterday, Griffin endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio for president and said he will give him lots of money.
“In the telephone interview Thursday, Griffin said he would play an active role in raising money for Rubio from his own network of associates. He also said he would contribute ‘several million dollars’ to Rubio’s PAC starting ‘imminently.’”
Earlier this year, Griffin became the first person to “max out” to the Republican National Committee under new party contribution limits, with a donation of $324,000.
In 2014, Griffin and his wife donated $3.7 million to federal elections. He was also the top donor to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, spending $5.5 million to help elect him last year, and put “his private plane at Mr. Rauner’s disposal.”
Is his influence sufficient yet?
The Onion: David Koch Delivers Suit With Note Reading ‘Wear This Tonight’ To Marco Rubio’s Hotel Room
Here are 5 Times Marco Rubio Skipped Work to Raise Money
Politico reports that Marco Rubio has missed intelligence briefings, committee hearings, and dozens of votes over the past few months. A lot of that was due to his fundraising schedule.
Specifically:
- “But in May, when he had a chance to vote for a symbolic resolution calling for the hostages’ release, Rubio was 1,000 miles away from the Capitol — in Coral Gables, Florida, raising money for his presidential campaign.
- "During a fundraising swing through California in January, Rubio missed an intelligence briefing on ISIL as well as two closed sessions before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.”
- “Because of a fundraiser in Houston, Rubio missed a confirmation vote for an undersecretary of the Homeland Security Department.”
- “A March fundraiser in Manhattan prompted Rubio to skip a confirmation vote for an intellectual property official.”
- And due to January fundraising in California, Rubio was one of just two senators to skip the final vote on a bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline.“
That’s a lot of defending.
CNN: Marco Rubio defends courting Koch Brothers
Washington Post: Marco Rubio defends sponsoring Sheldon Adelson-backed gambling bill
Buzzfeed: Rubio Skipped Closed-Door Briefing On ISIS For Fundraising Trip
That thing when you’re too busy angling for a promotion to do your current job:
“While Sen. Marco Rubio was on a big fundraising swing through California, he missed a top secret intelligence briefing on ISIS from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and two closed Intelligence Committee briefings from that period, according to records.”
Sorry, Florida, your Senator can’t do his job next week. He has more important things to do:
ABC News has learned [Sen. Marco] Rubio plans to skip all votes in the Senate next week and instead take a campaign fundraising swing through California with events in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Rancho Sante Fe and Costa Mesa.
“Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is moving swiftly behind the scenes to lock down some of Wall Street’s biggest donors ahead of the 2016 presidential race.
"In recent weeks, the rising GOP star and possible 2016 hopeful has quietly met with some of the most powerful GOP backers in the world of high finance. The roster includes Blackstone Group Chief Executive Officer Stephen Schwarzman, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. CEO Henry Kravis and senior executives at Goldman Sachs and Barclays Capital, among others.” (Politico)
—-
Photo: Page 2 of the linked article, with the caption: “Marco Rubio and Steve Schwarzman pose with penguins at Blackstone.”