Rubio could see campaign fortunes rise from Iowa finish

[webfact]

Rubio could see campaign fortunes rise from Iowa finish
By JULIE BYKOWICZ

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marco Rubio's strong third-place finish in Iowa could sound like a starting gun to the Republican Party's top donors.

For months, many of these benefactors have been sitting on their wallets or spreading their money around to multiple presidential candidates as they waited to see whether one of four experienced politicians could rise up to take on political newcomer Donald Trump and conservative insurgent Ted Cruz.

Rubio, a 44-year-old Florida senator, came within striking distance of Trump's second place in Iowa, a surprising result given the celebrity businessman's dominance in polls. Rubio moves on to New Hampshire, which weighs in Tuesday, having picked up the same number of Iowa delegates as Trump, and just one fewer than Cruz.

His financial reward was immediate: His campaign said it had raised $2 million within 24 hours of Monday's results.

"A lot of people who held back have now seen how real my candidate is," said Phil Rosen, a New York-based fundraiser for Rubio. Rosen said he'd received — unprompted — about 20 emails in the early hours Tuesday from people asking how they can give money to Rubio's campaign.

Already Rubio, has picked up several key endorsements, most recently from conservative Rick Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator who dropped out of the race Wednesday and immediately threw his support at the junior senator.

As Rubio experiences an upswing, Jeb Bush is falling out of favor with key donors. That could eventually swing more money toward Bush's onetime protege.

The former Florida governor commanded an enormous early fundraising advantage through an outside group known as a super political action committee. The investment has not paid off, as Bush has lagged in many early state polls and finished under 3 percent in Iowa. That's had a chilling effect on big donors, said Frank VanderSloot, an Idaho billionaire who backs Rubio.

"Everyone I talk to, my friends at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, other members of the business community, they really like Marco Rubio. But I think they got burned with Jeb," VanderSloot said. "They were taken on so many twists and turns — they're still waiting to make sure that doesn't happen again."

Billionaire Minnesota broadcast executive Stanley Hubbard is Exhibit A. He'd previously expressed interest in giving heavily to groups helping Bush, Rubio or another GOP contender who can beat Trump and Cruz. But he's part of what VanderSloot called "a lot of money still on the sidelines."

Hubbard said he'll wait until after New Hampshire, where it's possible New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or Ohio Gov. John Kasich could have a solid showing, before putting big money into 2016.

However, Hubbard has reached one conclusion: "It's too late for Jeb Bush, and I think that's kind of sad."

One of Bush's biggest boosters, Mike Fernandez, also said he was "saddened" that his did poorly in Iowa. Fernandez gave more than $3 million last year to an outside group backing Bush and separately paid for anti-Trump advertisements.

"I hope somehow he makes a miraculous comeback," the billionaire Miami health-care executive said of Bush. "There's obviously a disconnect between his campaign and what the people want."

Asked if he would consider backing a candidate other than Bush, he said, "I'm going to stay by his side until the very end."

Any donor momentum Rubio gains out of Iowa would build on efforts that seemed to be beginning late last year, fundraising reports filed Sunday night show.

He was the standout fundraiser among Bush, Christie and Kasich, the foursome that are vying for many of the same voters and donors. In the final three months of the year, Rubio roughly doubled what Bush had raised, even though Bush inherited a network of support from his father and brother, both former presidents.

Rubio dramatically outraised Christie and Kasich and began January with more cash on hand that any of those three, although his $10.4 million fell short of the $18.7 million Cruz had on hand.

Cruz eagerly noted that financial advantage as evidence he's the GOP candidate to beat.

"It's, frankly, unprecedented," Cruz told reporters Tuesday night on a flight from New Hampshire to South Carolina. "The conservative is supposed to be broke, and instead we've got the resources to compete nationally combined with a grassroots army from the ground."

Looking specifically at clusters of donors that make up the Republican Party "establishment" — power centers on Wall Street in New York and K Street in Washington — Rubio is increasingly dominant.

Rubio's campaign reported more than $1 million that was raised by registered Washington lobbyists in the second half of 2015 — more than double what that group of people raised for Bush in the same time period.

Christie and Kasich raised barely anything via Washington lobbyists, the reports showed.

Two hedge fund billionaires, Paul Singer in New York and Ken Griffin in Chicago, gave Rubio-boosting super PAC Conservative Solutions $2.5 million each late last year. Chris Cline, a billionaire coal executive, gave $1 million to the Bush super PAC Right to Rise through one of his limited liability companies. Four months later he wrote a personal check for $500,000 to Conservative Solutions.

Cline called both Bush and Rubio "excellent candidates" — but added, "Rubio is obviously a strong candidate."
___

Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Boise, Idaho, and Steve Peoples in Greenville, South Carolina, contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-02-04

[Usernames]

Rubio. Bought and paid for. Number one item on his owners' to do list? Open borders. Just another Bush clone.

[Ulysses G.]

Rubio is the most impressive candidate on either side and the other candidates all fear him. Bush has been targeting him with negative ads for weeks. Screw Trump and screw Hillary. Rubio is the future.

[keemapoot]

Rubio is the most impressive candidate on either side and the other candidates all fear him. Bush has been targeting him with negative ads for weeks. Screw Trump and screw Hillary. Rubio is the future.

Rubio has the exuberance of youth, which all the other candidates lack, and ranks 17th most conservative in the Senate, which makes him a golden boy for the GOP. He tows the party line perfectly. He still represents the old guard, but is not seen as tainted by it as Bush, for example.

He'll probably face Clinton, as I don't think Sanders has the legs. That will make an interesting contrast. Not sure if he can cross over to get enough votes though, that will be interesting to watch, but certainly the negatives on Clinton will be a factor.

He doesn't impress me more than any of the others, really, except for his boyish JFK persona.

[Ulysses G.]

Some of the media has pronounced Rubio the "most articulate" candidate. I think he is the most intelligent one as well.

[Usernames]

Rubio is the most canned candidate. All his positions, ideas, and "thoughts" are paid for.

[hawker9000]

'Just the beginning of a long road, but interesting how Iowa turned out. I expect Rubio has captured the public's imagination, at least for now. It's certainly become a more clearly 3-way contest. If Trump's not real careful, this could be the beginning of a fade...

[Grouse]

If it's not an oxymoron, Rubio is a modern Republican who understands 21st century economic issues

A bit right wing for me but I would not mind him as next POTUS

[keemapoot]

At least one blogger (journalist?) is calling this the end of the Bush dynasty and the rise of Rubio. I think probably the former point is correct. Bush really can't connect, and is probably not long for this race.

https://www.yahoo.com/politics/rubio-s-rise-and-the-1357475908149302.html

[dunroaming]

Rubio could get to sit in big chair as he is the only republican who has any credibility. Trump is the joke candidate so Rubio just needs to beat Cruz. The democrats must be worried now​

[Pinot]

Rubio is the most impressive candidate on either side and the other candidates all fear him. Bush has been targeting him with negative ads for weeks. Screw Trump and screw Hillary. Rubio is the future.

Impressive? The future?

It always amazes me how delusional the right is. Rubio is the flavor of the week. Scheduled to finish third, he finished third. The Republicans don't have a candidate that even induces the slightest anxiety. No one fears little Marco.

Desperately trying to learn Spanish for the election, Rubio is a puppet who is skilled at memorizing and delivering Republican talking points. Whenever little Marco goes off script, he sounds ridiculous.

And as a beaner, he'll be a tough sell to the old white guy demographic (the Republican base).

It doesn't matter. HRC or Bernie will wipe the floor with the thirsty little Marco, Cruz, Trump...doesn't matter.

Hablas español, Marco? Oh too bad.

[Jingthing]

Kasich still has one more shot. If she shows well in New Hampshire, and he might based on trends in the polls, he can do well later. It's too bad for him that Bush and Christie don't drop out now, those are natural Kasich voters and I don't think Bush or Christie have any chance now. Bush for obvious reasons, Christie because one blowhard is enough in the race (Trump) and Christie is a second rate blowhard. Dr. Carson is a big joke. Hope he stays in for entertainment purposes.

Rubio isn't really credible as an "establishment" choice. He's trying to bluff to get some of that base, of course. So if Bush, Christie, and Kasich are all really bumped out, that leaves ZERO real establishment choices. (Cruz, Trump, Rubio.) I still find it hard to believe there won't be ONE establishment competitor going forward. Kasich is the only one that makes any sense and New Hampshire voters often do show good sense.

[helpisgood]

Rubio is the most impressive candidate on either side and the other candidates all fear him. Bush has been targeting him with negative ads for weeks. Screw Trump and screw Hillary. Rubio is the future.

Rubio has the exuberance of youth, which all the other candidates lack, and ranks 17th most conservative in the Senate, which makes him a golden boy for the GOP. He tows the party line perfectly. He still represents the old guard, but is not seen as tainted by it as Bush, for example.

He'll probably face Clinton, as I don't think Sanders has the legs. That will make an interesting contrast. Not sure if he can cross over to get enough votes though, that will be interesting to watch, but certainly the negatives on Clinton will be a factor.

He doesn't impress me more than any of the others, really, except for his boyish JFK persona.

I think I have seen this same JFK reference. Sorry, he may be a young and attractive candidate, but he is not like JFK. The styles are very different, I think.

[lannarebirth]

Rubio is the most impressive candidate on either side and the other candidates all fear him. Bush has been targeting him with negative ads for weeks. Screw Trump and screw Hillary. Rubio is the future.

Rubio has the exuberance of youth, which all the other candidates lack, and ranks 17th most conservative in the Senate, which makes him a golden boy for the GOP. He tows the party line perfectly. He still represents the old guard, but is not seen as tainted by it as Bush, for example.

He'll probably face Clinton, as I don't think Sanders has the legs. That will make an interesting contrast. Not sure if he can cross over to get enough votes though, that will be interesting to watch, but certainly the negatives on Clinton will be a factor.

He doesn't impress me more than any of the others, really, except for his boyish JFK persona.

I think I have seen this same JFK reference. Sorry, he may be a young and attractive candidate, but he is not like JFK. The styles are very different, I think.

JFK could speak extemporaneously with intelligence, wit and charm. By all accounts Rubio gives the same canned remarks everywhere he goes.

[lannarebirth]

Rubio just asking to be Lloyd Bentsened, with Rubio in the role of Dan Quayle.