Rubio Questions NPR Funding. While On NPR.
Sen. Marco Rubio doubted that the government needed to fund NPR. While on NPR.The Florida senator and rumored potential veep candidate spent a full hour Thursday on The Diane Rehm Show, broadcast by WAMU 88.5 and NPR. And during that time, he answered questions about his stance on government funding of public broadcasting.
Admitting the issue is a new one for him, Rubio said "when there are so many broadcast options available -- I have 300 stations on my satellite radio -- does the federal government need to be involved in the broadcast business?"
"At a time when the government is spending more money than it takes in, we need to carefully evaluate everything we spend money on, including public radio," Rubio said.
When Rehm pushed him as to whether his very appearance on her show contradicts his position, Rubio countered that "any time we have an opportunity anywhere, we try to take that opportunity to communicate with people who are listening."
But, if it's any consolation to Rehm, Rubio did say he was a fan of her show and that "I can guarantee you" that if NPR couldn't support it "there are plenty of other commercial outlets that would love to have The Diane Rehm Show."
Disclosure: I was previously employed by WAMU 88.5, home of The Diane Rehm Show.
Photo: Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on Aug. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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