By Dick Morris
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. The
phone lines around Romney Headquarters are buzzing with worried campaign
operatives wondering if Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) the obvious front runner for vice president should be dropped from consideration because of ethical issues that may surface should he run. I looked into them and called the reporter whos been covering them. Heres the story.
The two big worries about Rubio appear to be non-starters. He has been very close to two men who are in a lot of trouble but there is no evidence that any of it has rubbed off on him.
Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom who Rubio -- his predecessor as Speaker -- hand-picked to be the Houses budget chairman has been convicted in a corruption probe. But other than bad judgment in trusting him it doesnt seem to involve Rubio.
Marcos other close friend -- Florida Republican Congressman David Rivera -- is reportedly under serious federal investigation. Federal investigators say he was essentially living off the state Republican Party credit card over the past decade.
Rubio himself has been accused of racking up $100000 in Amex bills on the state card. He paid $16000 back apologized for the error and says the rest is legit. The reporter who broke the story - Jay Weaver of the Miami Herald - says there is no ongoing federal investigation of Rubio over this issue.
A complaint with the Florida State Ethics Commission was thrown out last week.
The other issues that surround Rubio are also nickel and dime stuff:
He took $210000 in campaign contributions that the Federal Elections Commission said were not legal and he paid a $8000 fine for doing so. Lots and lots of Senators - most notably former Senator Hillary Clinton - have done a lot worse.- He double-billed for nine plane trips. Said it was an oversight and paid it back.
- He didnt report a $135000 home equity loan. Again he apologized and reported it.
Are these charges enough to keep a charismatic principled conservative off the ticket? I dont think so.
But the standards for a VP nominee are worse than those for Caesars wife. Any hint of scandal is enough to make the party operatives run for cover. The rule for any VP choice is the same as the Hippocratic Oath for doctors: first do no harm.
It may be that these brush-fires lead the party honchos to run to the nearest boring white man for the nomination.
But where theres smoke there isnt always fire.
