Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) addressed controversy that has swirled around his use of a Republican Party credit card while he was serving as Florida House Speaker in an interview that aired on Fox News on Monday night.
Addressing the expenditures in question, which came under scrutiny in 2010, Rubio said, "In hindsight, it looks bad, right? I mean, why are you using a party credit card at all?"
The Tampa Bay Times reported at the time:
Rubio billed the party for more than $100,000 during the two years he served as House speaker, according to credit card statements obtained by the St. Petersburg Times and Miami Herald. The charges included repairs to the family minivan, grocery bills, plane tickets for his wife and purchases from retailers ranging from a wine store near his home to Apple's online store. Rubio also charged the party for dozens of meals during the annual lawmaking session in Tallahassee, even though he received taxpayer subsidies for his meals.
Rubio said the billings all related to party business-- the minivan, for example, was damaged by a valet at a political function -- and that he repaid the party for about $16,000 in personal expenses.
In the Fox News interview, Rubio said, "Some of these expenses were because a travel agent had the number, you know, the credit card number, and they billed it to that card instead of the other card. Sometimes it was just a mistake." He added that at times it was a matter of "just literally [reaching] for the wrong card."
The GOP senator also addressed speculation that he could be tapped to be presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's running mate in the general election. "I pinch myself because of the understanding that I've been blessed with a real rare opportunity that few Americans ever get, to serve their government and their people at this level," he said.
Below, a slideshow of Republican names that have been floated as potential vice presidential candidates in 2012.
