Marco Rubio

WASHINGTON — On the same day in June that the U.S. House of Representatives passed expansive Wall Street reforms, an influential hedge fund manager who strongly opposed the legislation was holding a fundraiser in his Manhattan apartment for Marco Rubio.

Rubio was in Miami but collected thousands of dollars for his U.S. Senate campaign that day, and people associated with the hedge fund contributed $117,000 overall as his long-shot bid took off.

Now as Rubio and other newly elected Republicans take office, the financial industry is depending on their clout to undo some of the regulations.

The same is true for the health care industry that poured millions into candidates like Rubio who pledged to “repeal and replace” the landmark legislation Congress approved this year.

Elected to great fanfare, Rubio, 39, will be one of the most-watched lawmakers in Washington. A review of the roughly $20 million he collected provides a window into what issues he could champion — and who may have his ear.

Rubio said no person or cause has undue influence and the campaign was a grass roots effort, drawing $7 million in small donations from regular people. “I’ve always told people they buy into our agenda, we don’t buy into theirs,” he said. “We tell people where we stand on the issues, and if people want to help us get elected, with some exceptions, we’re willing to accept their help.”

Conservative donors and interest groups such as the Club for Growth contributed heavily, as did the securities and investment sector with nearly $600,000.

The health care industry gave over $270,000. Real estate interests gave $350,000, according to data collated by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

The oil and gas industry, which has been fighting to drill in the waters off Florida, gave the pro-drilling Rubio at least $109,000.

Taken together, his financing shows a politician with strong grass roots support, but also one closely aligned with the establishment GOP and the hard-line posture that drove the election.

“If you’re looking for him reaching across party lines hither and yon, you are probably expecting too much,” said Dave Levinthal, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics.

His numbers, while sizable, are only part of the story.

Outside groups spent a record amount this election and Rubio got more than $2.5 million from GOP-leaning groups. His largest backer overall was Karl Rove’s American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, which invested $1.9 million in ads attacking Rubio’s rival, Gov. Charlie Crist.

The groups, which do not disclose their donors, are pressing for tougher illegal immigration laws and to prevent Democrats from letting some tax cuts expire.

Rubio emphasized the grass roots. Through Election Day, he took in more than $7 million in donations of $200 or less — 36 percent of the $19,717,639.65 collected since the campaign began in May 2009.

Rubio started out the traditional way, focusing on big donors. But almost all the Republican players were backing Crist, long seen as a shoo-in for the Senate seat. July 2009 campaign finance reports showed Crist raised $4.3 million to Rubio’s $340,000. Rubio considered running for state attorney general.

Instead, he began an aggressive small donor campaign and it worked in waves, cultivating an outsider image. Rubio’s Federal Election Commission filings shows page after page of $1, $5, $10, $50 and $100 contributions from Florida and beyond.

“I love Marco Rubio. He is the future of the Republican Party,” said Bernadette Zgorski of Churchville, Md., a tea party activist who gave Rubio $50. She said it was the first time she ever contributed to a candidate.

One man in the Panhandle showed up to an event with a box full of wrapped coins, $70 worth.

“He did not become the Republican nominee and win this race because of the traditional large special interests,” said Rubio fundraiser Ana Navarro. “We all know where they were a year ago, they were all fighting Marco Rubio. That’s one of the beauties about Marco, is that he is fairly free. He’s not particularly indebted to special interests.”

Special interests did start to pay attention when Rubio began to erase Crist’s lead, however.

By the time of the fundraiser in Manhattan, Crist had left the GOP, knowing he would lose the primary, to run as an independent. Rubio’s fundraising soared. He posted record numbers for Florida — $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2010 and $5 million in the third.

People affiliated with Elliott Management, the $17 billion hedge fund run by Paul Singer, were Rubio’s second highest contributors, with $117,000. Singer gave to many Republicans (the June fundraiser was for several candidates), hoping to fight what he deemed overreaching policies of Democratic financial reform.

Rubio generally agrees that some of the restrictions are burdensome, a spokesman said.

Rubio, in all, got at least $600,000 from securities, investment, financing and banking interests, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tallied reports through Oct. 13.

Wall Street had been contributing to Democrats, who held the White House and Congress after 2008. But while the reforms were weakened somewhat, what passed was still substantial.

Rubio’s top donor was the conservative activist group Club for Growth, with $328,500. Group spokesman Mike Connolly said it liked Rubio’s message of fiscal discipline and smaller government. After the election, Rubio called to thank them.

“We have very high hopes for him,” Connolly said, calling Rubio “a principled leader.”

Under the category “industry: Republican/conservative,” Rubio took in $965,000, second only to retirees who gave $1.5 million, many of them uneasy with changes in Washington.

Rubio got at least $26,000 from people associated with Koch Industries, an oil giant run by billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch who have criticized the health care overhaul and question climate change.

Florida business — including Flo-Sun, a sugar company run by the Fanjul family — also helped Rubio. People associated with Publix Supermarkets gave over $11,000. Rubio also got money from South Florida fuel distributor Max Alvarez, who sought favors from Rubio when he was a state legislator.

In Washington, Rubio said federal spending, tax policy and national security will top his agenda.

“There’s a lot of other issues this institution deals with and I want to learn about them and be informed,” he said. “But ultimately we’re going to do what we think is right by the people who elected us.”

Jim Greer

TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer is the subject of a criminal investigation after an auditor found he funneled party money to a political consulting company he owned.

Attorney General Bill McCollum referred the matter to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on March 15 after it was discovered during an internal party audit.

“This information indicates there may have been criminal activity surrounding a former senior official of the Republican Party of Florida and a company called Victory Strategies, LLC,” McCollum said in a statement.

Just a side note that McCollum was never in favor of the actual audit.  John Thrasher stated publicly that he would have a private firm audit the RPOF.  McCollum also knew about the secret deal between Delmar Johnson and Jim Greer for two months before actually going public with the finding.

The audit showed that Greer owned 60 percent of the company and Delmar Johnson, the party’s former executive director, owned the remaining 40 percent. Greer authorized the contract to let Johnson take a 10 percent commission on all dollars he raised for the party coffers. It totaled $133,005 for 2009 with an additional $66,250 for other consulting services.

Gov. Charlie Crist said the news is “terribly disturbing.” Greer was Crist’s hand-picked candidate to lead the state party following the governor’s election in 2006, and Crist remained publicly loyal to Greer until it became obvious in January that Greer had virtually lost all support.

“I find it terribly disturbing to hear, but I know that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will certainly conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation,” Crist said. Asked if the investigation could tarnish leading Republicans, Crist, who’s trailing in polls as a U.S. Senate candidate, said: “I certainly hope that it does not. The acts of individuals are the acts of individuals, and that is for the people to decide.”

Crist said he “had heard rumors” that Greer owned a stake in a consulting company, Victory Strategies, that was paid with party funds.

FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey reports to Crist and the Cabinet, and Crist is constantly accompanied by one or more FDLE agents, but the governor said he did not receive a heads-up of the FDLE probe of Greer. “I heard about it about an hour ago,” Crist said at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – Recognizing the importance of the youth vote, the Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate campaign today launched its college campus organizational drive to recruit college students for on-campus campaigning, summer volunteering and voter outreach efforts.  As part of this launch, the campaign announced its 31 Florida college coordinators, who will focus on recruiting supporters, volunteers and interns for the campaign during the final weeks of the spring semester.

The campaign also announced that Rubio will hold his first major statewide college rally on Wednesday, April 14 at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  The event will be broadcast via streaming video to Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate college groups across the state.

“College students are excited about Marco Rubio’s candidacy and drawn to his message of ensuring their generation inherits a secure and prosperous America,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos.  “Through our campus recruiting drive, college students will play a key role in making sure that, by the time they return for the fall semester, Marco will be the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate and heading to victory in November.”

“Having a strong presence on Florida’s college campuses is an essential part of communicating Marco’s message and achieving our goals,” Burgos added.  “Marco and his campaign are honored to have students across the state stand with him and stand for the conservative principles that will get America back on a limited government, free market track.”

RUBIO FOR SENATE COLLEGE COORDINATORS

• Ave Maria University: Devin Mace
• Barry University: Sara Quinn
• Broward College: Johann Berenguer
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Mike Carkin
• Florida Atlantic University: James Shackleford
• Florida Gulf Coast University: Jason Boswell
• Florida International University: Johnathan De La Torre
• Flagler College: Bethany Maddox
• Florida State College at Jacksonville: Tyler Smith
• Florida State University: Juan Montalvo
• Indian River State College: Mike Waters
• Jacksonville University: Mike Kerekes
• Lake-Sumter Community College: Tim Mitchum
• Miami-Dade College: Erwin Meinhardt
• Palm Beach Atlantic University: Adam McKinney
• Pasco-Hernando Community College: Jessica Griffin
• Rollins College: Christina Benitez
• Santa Fe College: Monica Gordon
• Southeastern University: Dustin Keeling
• St. Leo University: Nick Bliesner
• St. Petersburg College: Jake Holehouse
• Stetson University: Brooke Nattkemper
• Tallahassee Community College: Miguel Gonzalez
• University of Central Florida: Lauren Edwards
• University of Florida: Josh Mize
• University of North Florida: Hampton Ray
• University of Miami: Vincent Foster
• University of Tampa: Shane Twaddell
• University of South Florida: Thomas Bell
• University of West Florida: Meagan Enderson
• Valencia Community College: John Steuber

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – With the first 2010 U.S. Senate Republican primary debate scheduled for this Sunday on FOX News Sunday, the Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate campaign today questioned which Charlie Crist will show up.

In a new video series launched today, Rubio for Senate provides Floridians with flashbacks to the first time Crist ran for U.S. Senate – in 1998 against Sen. Bob Graham – and debated before the legendary Tim Russert.

As voters will see, there are plenty of reasons to wonder: which Charlie Crist will show up and what positions will he change in order to win this Sunday?

WATCH THE VIDEO

“One of the advantages of perpetually running for political office is that Charlie Crist heads into this Sunday’s debate as a five-time statewide candidate with lots of debate experience,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos.  “Charlie Crist is a slick politician and debater who will say and do anything to score a win.  In addition, he has also made several appearances on Sunday shows, including his most recent one in which he vigorously promoted the failed $787 billion stimulus.

“As these flashbacks will show, a lot has changed since the last time Charlie Crist ran for U.S. Senate, including his positions on a host of issues, though his willingness to say and do anything to get elected is still alive and well,” Burgos added.  “However, Charlie Crist’s biggest challenge this Sunday will be to reconcile his past positions with today’s desperate need to say whatever he thinks is necessary to get elected.”

FACTS ABOUT SUNDAY’S DEBATE

• This is Marco’s first statewide campaign.

• This is Crist’s fifth statewide campaign.  It is also the second time he has run for U.S. Senate.

• This is Marco’s first campaign debate ever.

• Crist has participated in numerous debates – in both primary and general elections for U.S. Senate, Education Commissioner, Attorney General, Governor and now U.S. Senate again.

• This is Marco’s first appearance on a nationally televised Sunday show.

• Crist has been a Sunday show guest before.  In his last memorable Sunday show appearance, Crist defended the stimulus on Meet The Press.

The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board faces a defining vote at its meeting this week, one that could bring the agency to the fiscal brink and force an increase in property taxes for homeowners in the 16 counties that make up the district.

Two weeks ago, the district’s financial adviser gave the agency a dire forecast if it proceeds with the planned purchase of land owned by U.S. Sugar, which, despite what you’ve heard, would do little to advance the important goal of Everglades restoration. Still, the board appears determined to approve this sweetheart deal, no matter that the purchase would create operating deficits of $89 million and $110 million in each of the next two years.

The board’s financial adviser says significant cuts will be needed in the operations and maintenance budgets for current projects essential to the district’s mission. To make ends meet, the board will likely have to raise property taxes. No matter the red flags, the district’s unelected board is stacked to approve this deal, which was negotiated in secret by big-money special interests in Tallahassee.

Last week, in making two new appointments to the South Florida Water Management District board, Gov. Crist told the St. Petersburg Times that he applied a “litmus test:” assurance that the new members would vote to approve the purchase. Predictably, both new members are on record as supporting the deal.

As I’ve said from the start, the U.S. Sugar deal represents bad public policy. I was the sponsor of the bill to authorize bond sales for Everglades restoration, as well as legislation that created the Florida Forever land preservation program. But if completed, the U.S. Sugar purchase will swallow the district’s budget for years, and prevent progress on other water-supply measures identified as priorities, including the reservoir, pollution-treatment marshes and flood-control protections around Lake Okeechobee.

So, while this project is being sold as Everglades restoration, it would delay actual restoration efforts by using needed money for land acquisition, while U.S. Sugar would retain the more significant tracts in the natural flow-way. Making matters worse, the deal would give U.S. Sugar an exclusive right to lease back the acreage at below-market rates for 20 years.

I’m asking board Chairman Eric Buermann to be forthcoming about the consequences, including tax increases that will be needed and opportunities that will be lost. Continuing to pursue this purchase is not just fiscally irresponsible; it is nothing short of reckless.

SEN. PAULA DOCKERY

Lakeland

Editor’s note: Paula Dockery represents Florida Senate District 15. She is a Republican candidate for governor.

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio’s latest campaign email hits Governor Crist on “Trust”.  It’s titled Oh, you can trust Charlie Crst…   Snip it of email is below

“Miami, FL – Lately, Governor Charlie Crist has seized on a new campaign buzz word: “trust,” which U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio has long insisted is what this election is all about – who Floridians can trust to go to Washington, stand up to the Obama-Reid-Pelosi agenda, and offer a clear alternative.

According to the Miami Herald, “Crist used the loaded word at least a dozen times in a 10-minute speech at a breakfast in Miami hosted by the Christian Family Coalition, an offshoot of the well-known Christian Coalition.” (Miami Herald, 2/27/10)

“Florida voters can trust Charlie Crist alright…to raise taxes, embrace Barack Obama on the stimulus and health care, and be completely untrustworthy on mainstream Republican values,” said Rubio for Senate spokesman Alex Burgos.  “Marco Rubio has said all along this race is about trust – it’s about who Floridians trust to go to Washington, stand up on principle to the current misguided agenda, and offer a clear alternative.

“Marco’s record and deeds prove he’s the only one in this race who can be trusted to do this, whereas Charlie Crist has proven time and time again he can only be trusted to stand with the big government, big spending agenda that is threatening America’s future.”

With Rubio in the center of Credit Card Gate one has to wonder about voters “TRUSTING” him as well.  Several sources pointed out that Rubio has other purchases that were made but put on other RPOF AMEX cardholder’s card.

While Speaker of the House Rubio had many opportunities to introduce legislation curtailing illegal immigration yet never did.  As for Rubio’s statement that voters can trust Crist to raise taxes and embrace the stimulus, isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black?  Rubio, you did after all say that you would accept stimulus funds as well or did you forget this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNg4gvWtAE8

When it comes to trusting Rubio or Crist voters are going to be left holding the bag.  At least Bob Smith is shooting straight these days and not double-talking.

Marco Rubio

Miami, FL – Grover Norquist, one of the most prominent pro-taxpayer leaders in the country and a board member of the National Rifle Association, today announced his endorsement of Marco Rubio for U.S. Senate.

“I have followed Marco Rubio’s career very closely and am proud to support him in his bid for U.S. Senate,” said Norquist.  “In closely examining his record, I remain convinced he has been the most courageous, pro-taxpayer legislative leader in the country and will continue this path in the U.S. Senate.

“In fact, Marco Rubio’s vigorous advocacy of his property tax reform plan remains a shining example of his willingness to stand up for pro-taxpayer policies, even in the face of opponents committed to the status quo.  Just as Marco fought for revolutionary tax reform, he also held the line on spending during challenging budget years when others were clamoring for more revenues and more ways to fund government.

“Marco Rubio is the only consistently anti-tax candidate in Florida’s U.S. Senate race.  When Marco Rubio makes promises to not raise taxes on taxpayers, he keeps them. I am proud to support Marco Rubio and am excited by the things he will do in Washington to stand up for taxpayers and advance free market, limited government principles.”

Welcoming Norquist’s endorsement, Rubio said, “Grover Norquist is the nation’s leading pro-taxpayer grassroots leader, and I am honored to have his support.  For decades, his advice and counsel have shaped tax policies that have unleashed America’s entrepreneurial spirit and made us the most dynamic economy in the world.

“Grover Norquist is not only a friend of the taxpayer, he is a protector of the taxpayer who holds candidates and elected officials accountable.  Having studied my record, I am honored to have his support as confirmation of my commitment to protect taxpayers and promote limited government principles.”

About Grover Norquist: Norquist has been one of Washington’s most effective issues management strategists for over two decades.  He currently serves as president of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), a coalition of taxpayer groups, individuals and businesses opposed to higher taxes at  the federal, state and local levels.  Norquist also serves on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association of America and the American Conservative Union.  He is also the author of “Leave Us Alone – Getting the Government’s Hands Off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives.”

Mr. Norquist holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, both from Harvard University. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Samah and his daughters, Grace and Giselle.

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Charlie Crist

Governor Charlie Crist wants to increase state spending while lawmakers are looking for ways to reduce government. Crist’s plan holds state workers harmless, increases school spending and pumps millions into environmental projects. As Whitney Ray tells us, lawmakers call Crist’s plan “ambitious.”

After four straight years of declining revenues, Governor Charlie Crist is calling for an increase in state spending.

“We have got to move forward on education, that we have a re commitment to our environment and I think those two things are important to Florida’s economy,” said Crist.

Crist’s budget increases education funding by half a billion dollars, pumps 100 million into the environment and offers tax breaks to businesses. Florida Tax-watch calls the proposal optimistic.

“It doesn’t really get into cutting government and getting into what normal Floridians are doing, tightening their belt, finding ways to do more with less, focusing on core services and eliminating operational expenditures,” said Rob Weissert a spokesman with Florida Tax-watch.

Crist’s spending plan relies heavily on money from increased gambling, raids on trust funds and an uptick in revenue collections.

Over the past five months the state has collected more money than predicted, that trend is expected to continue.

Money from fee increases could also pump millions into the state’s checking account, but state lawmakers aren’t sure the boost will be enough.

“It’s ambitious. It’s our job to look at his categorization of the various priorities of spending and then craft a budget in cooperation with the senate,” said State Representative Dean Cannon.

If revenues don’t increase as much as the governor predicts, and a gaming compact isn’t reached, lawmakers will have to make tough decisions that could include spending cuts and possible layoffs.

One of Crist’s ideas receiving applause from Republican legislative leaders is reworking the class size amendment. State lawmakers are scheduled to unveil a plan tomorrow that would base class size on school populations instead of individual classes.

Charlie Crist & Marco Rubio

Over the last few weeks have you noticed how the media has been presenting Crist in a positive light?  They haven’t been hitting him like they were on his endorsement of Obama’s stimulus, for the last 2 weeks I have been hard pressed to find anything remotely negative about Crist in the mainstream media.

After the shellacking the Democrats took in Massachusetts you can expect the media to essentially take the gloves off now.  This past weekend the Liberal media attempted to paint Rubio as a horrible carnivore.   Then you had the Press Corps meeting in Miami.  None of the questions they used in their video or reporting had to do with the issues.

This morning on a conference call Rubio noted, “You’re going to see a very aggressive mainstream media in the aftermath of the Massachusetts Senate race. There wasn’t enough time for them to have an impact on a late-breaking phenomenon, and I think you’re going to see them react to that experience… The mainstream media agrees with this administration and its view on the role of government, and they’re going to be very aggressive against anyone who challenges that. When we were just a blip on the screen, we were an interesting curiosity, but now that we’re in the lead, they’re going to be very aggressive.”

Today the Rubio campaigned announced a fundraising blitz.  They want to raise $1,000 for every $1 Billion of the wasted $787 Billion of the so-called stimulus.  February 10^th marks the one-year anniversary of the Crist-Obama man hug that has haunted the Crist campaign.

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