Times’ gift to Rubio

Few Republicans welcome an attack from The New York Times on their finances or lifestyle. However, Sen. Marco Rubio (RFla.) and his team seem downright giddy about the Times’ pieces raising his traffic tickets over nearly 20 years (only four were his, the rest his wife’s) or his financial dealings as a 20something.

As The Hill reported: “The reaction against the latest Times stories created unusual bedfellows. MSNBC host Chris Hayes and conservative commentator Ann Coulter both suggested on Twitter that the stories were so weak they would likely [help] Rubio. Journalist Glenn Greenwald also spoke up for Rubio, tweeting, ‘Isn’t it a good thing if a politician has had to navigate the same financial difficulties most Americans face?’ ”

This is not to say that there is only upside in these attacks. They do highlight how young Rubio is, which for some

people translates into a lack of experience. He does not want to suggest he is irresponsible, although even the Times concedes he straightened out his finances in the past few years.

But for now, the benefits clearly outweigh the downside of these stories. You can tell by his remarks on the stump. (“I’ve even heard some suggest that I might not be rich enough to be president. And it’s true. I didn’t make over $11 million last year giving speeches to special interests. I don’t have a family foundation.”)

And you can see it in his fundraising emails. (“Like millions of Ameri cans, I had to take out student loans to pay for college and law school, and only paid them off recently. But the biggest debt I have is to America. For this is not just the nation I was born in, it’s the country that changed the history of my family. Look, I know these attacks are part of running for president, but the fact remains that we can’t rely on the media to tell our campaign’s story. And that’s why I need your help.”)

The Times’ attacks seem like the gift that will keep on giving.