Florida Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio tells The Brody File that Charlie Crist is using the BP oil spill to try and raise campaign cash. Rubio cites a recent email Crist sent to supporters.
I spoke with Rubio in West Palm Beach Florida. The video and transcription of Rubio’s comments are below as well as the Crist email that Rubio is referring to.
Marco Rubio: He’s trying to raise money off the BP oil spill. We know that because he sent an email talking about the oil spill and asking people to contribute but look at the end of the day people want problems solved. They’re tired of politicians and photo-ops. They smell that stuff from a mile away. They get it and that’s really what this has been is a series of photo-ops around the state. The reality of it is that the federal response to it has been a catastrophe, that the state of Florida has done nothing to pressure the federal government to do a better job. Look at the contrast between our Governor and the Governor of Louisiana who has repeatedly used strong language to call the federal government for its quite frankly inept incompetent response to the BP oil spill and that’s what you would hope for is more of that kind of leadership in Florida. There’s still time to change that and if it’s good for Florida but it’s bad for my campaign so be it but we haven’t seen that yet and I hope that will change.”
Charlie Crist Email to Supporters:
Help Me Fight For Florida!
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
I hope that your summer is off to a great start and that you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Carole and I had the honor of visiting with Floridians throughout the Panhandle last weekend. We visited with fishermen, restaurant and shop owners, Veterans and tourists who had come to visit our great state.
As you know we are facing tremendous challenges in view of the BP oil spill which is now threatening our shores unlike anything we have ever experienced before. This spill is now being reported as the largest environmental disaster in our nation’s history. As we begin our summer it’s important that we all come together to face this challenge. I want you to know that I have and will continue to do all that I can to protect our beautiful state and navigate us through the challenges ahead.
As you now know our campaign is about putting people ahead of politics. We are all tired of the same old excuses and politics as usual.
I need your help to carry this message to Washington. Every dollar you contribute will make a real difference, and I want you to know how personally grateful I am for your support. Please take a moment to donate today. Our campaign to change the ways of Washington has powerful and extremist forces aligned against it. I know that with your support we can make a difference and break the partisan gridlock gripping Washington today. This is a fight we can win!
Many thanks for your continued support.
Charlie