Florida Senator Marco Rubio is continuing his war of words with Ed Schultz and Rachel Maddow, seizing on their recent criticism of his remarks for a fundraising pitch. (h/t St. Petersburg Times)
The MSNBC hosts had both bashed Rubio's recent speech at the Reagan Library. He had said that entitlement programs "actually weakened us as a people," suggesting that the programs made people more dependent on government.
Last Thursday, Ed Schultz responded on his show. "I'll tell what's weakening our society: political hacks like Marco Rubio, who want to get rid of social safety nets," he thundered.
Likewise, Rachel Maddow accused Rubio of flip-flopping on Medicare, comparing his statement to earlier remarks about the importance of Medicare for his family. She asked, "What would he run as, the guy who says Medicare saved his father and his family but it's also turned you weak and helpless?"
On Wednesday, Rubio's political action committee, Reclaiming America, issued a fundraising pitch centered around the remarks, saying, "The speech drove extreme liberals crazy, and they are on the attack.” The email alleges:
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow chopped up Marco's words and distorted them, even weaving in mentions of Marco's parents to attack him.
Ed Schultz attacked Marco's speech as "psycho talk" and called Marco a "political hack".
These are the typical attacks that are routinely launched against those who are standing up for our conservative principles.
It's not the first time that the conservative senator has pit himself against MSNBC anchors for fundraising purposes. As a Senate candidate in July 2010, he released a web video about his economic platform that read, "How can you know the plan is right? Rachel Maddow thinks it's wrong." It sparked a brief war of words between Rubio and Maddow.
The full text of Wednesday's email:
Dear,
Last week, Marco gave a historic speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library that's been called an "important", "powerful", and "thoughtful" step in promoting a conservative path forward.
But not everyone was impressed. The speech drove extreme liberals crazy, and they are on the attack. We need your help to fight back and support limited government candidates who share Marco"s conservative vision for America.
MSNBC's Rachel Maddow chopped up Marco's words and distorted them, even weaving in mentions of Marco's parents to attack him.
Ed Schultz attacked Marco's speech as "psycho talk" and called Marco a "political hack".
These are the typical attacks that are routinely launched against those who are standing up for our conservative principles.
These extreme liberals have no interest in finding common sense solutions to the challenges facing our country. They just want to attack and tear down anyone who doesn't share their extreme ideology.
Which is why we need your help us fight back. Your contribution of $100, $50, or even $25 will help us defend conservatives like Marco all across the country.
Reclaim America PAC will stand up for candidates who take tough positions and challenging the politics-as-usual in Washington, D.C.
Thank you for your continued support,
Team Reclaim
