On Wednesday, NBC’s Today seized on two New York Times hit pieces against Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio, as national correspondent Peter Alexander proclaimed: “He is one of the Republicans' fastest rising stars, just 44, the youngest presidential candidate in the field. But this morning, new scrutiny is focused on Florida Senator Marco Rubio's financial struggles and spending habits.”
The headline on screen throughout the two-and-half-minute report declared: “Rubio Fights Back Over Finances; Candidate’s Money Troubles Under Fire in New Report”
Alexander summarized:
The New York Times this week detailed Rubio’s debt and mortgages, including his purchase of three homes, putting no money down on two of them. After a publisher paid Marco Rubio $800,000 to write a book in 2012, the Senator paid off $100,000 in law school loans. But he also purchased an $80,000 24-foot fishing boat like this and more recently leased a $50,000 luxury SUV.
He then used the opportunity to bring up a past controversy: “Rubio's come under scrutiny before. As speaker of the Florida house he charged personal expenses to a state Republican Party credit card....Rubio later conceded the spending was sloppy and his aides tell NBC News he reimbursed the party.”
Moments later, Alexander touted the widely-mocked story in the Times about Rubio’s traffic tickets: “Last week the Times read a story highlighting Rubio and his wife Janette’s driving record – a combined 17 traffic tickets since 1997.” He made no mention that only four of the tickets were actually Rubio’s, the rest belonged to his wife.
Alexander did note criticism of the article: “Rubio’s supporters quickly rushed to his defense, mocking the report on Twitter with the # RubioCrimeSpree. ‘Marco Rubio once ripped a tag from a mattress,’ one wrote.”
He concluded: “Still, analysts say Rubio will face more scrutiny.” A soundbite followed of The Washington Post’s Robert Costa claiming many questions remain about Rubio: “This is part of the vetting process for Marco Rubio. Donors are asking questions, voters are asking questions. They wonder, ‘This person has risen so quickly and so fast, just who is he?’”
NBC was the first of the Big Three broadcast network’s to run with the Times attacks on Rubio.
Here is a full transcript of the June 10 segment:
7:11 AM ET
MATT LAUER: Now a story involving another well-known politician, Florida Senator and Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio. The issue – his personal finances. NBC national correspondent Peter Alexander has more on that. Hi, Peter, good morning.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Rubio Fights Back Over Finances; Candidate’s Money Troubles Under Fire in New Report]
PETER ALEXANDER: Hey, Matt, good morning to you. He is one of the Republicans' fastest rising stars, just 44, the youngest presidential candidate in the field. But this morning, new scrutiny is focused on Florida Senator Marco Rubio's financial struggles and spending habits.
This morning Marco Rubio’s campaign insists he's faced financial challenges like most Americans and that they make him a better candidate, one that voters can relate to.
The New York Times this week detailed Rubio’s debt and mortgages, including his purchase of three homes, putting no money down on two of them. After a publisher paid Marco Rubio $800,000 to write a book in 2012, the Senator paid off $100,000 in law school loans. But he also purchased an $80,000 24-foot fishing boat like this and more recently leased a $50,000 luxury SUV.
Rubio's come under scrutiny before. As speaker of the Florida house he charged personal expenses to a state Republican Party credit card, including, the Times reports, a paving project at his home and travel to a family reunion. Rubio later conceded the spending was sloppy and his aides tell NBC News he reimbursed the party.
On the campaign trail last weekend Rubio seemed ready for the criticism.
SEN. MARCO RUBIO [R-FL]: The latest one is I shouldn't run for president because I'm not rich enough. And it's true I don't make $11 million a year giving speeches to special interests.
Last week the Times read a story highlighting Rubio and his wife Janette’s driving record – a combined 17 traffic tickets since 1997. Rubio’s supporters quickly rushed to his defense, mocking the report on Twitter with the # RubioCrimeSpree. “Marco Rubio once ripped a tag from a mattress,” one wrote.
Still, analysts say Rubio will face more scrutiny.
ROBERT COSTA [THE WASHINGTON POST]: This is part of the vetting process for Marco Rubio. Donors are asking questions, voters are asking questions. They wonder, “This person has risen so quickly and so fast, just who is he?”
ALEXANDER: Rubio’s aides say he and his wife's primary motivation over the last 15 years has not been becoming wealthy but providing a happy, safe life for their four children. The campaign is of course now fundraising off the articles. An aide telling me they’ve raked in more than $100,000, Matt, in the last five days.
LAUER: And we’re early in the process, Peter. Thank you very much.
