While on NPR, Sen. Rubio Questions Usefulness of NPR
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., expressed worry this morning about broadcasting outlets that use taxpayer money to stay on the air.
But Rubio made his comments on NPR, a broadcasting outlet that uses taxpayer money to stay on the air.
"I do have concerns about spending money on public broadcasting," Rubio told Diane Rehm during an hourlong Q&A on NPR.
NPR has been a source of criticism from congressional Republicans who view it as a liberal refuge that espouses its views courtesy of public funding. Although only 2 percent of NPR's funding comes from government grants, the loss of federal funding would undermine the ability of NPR stations to pay for NPR programming, NPR says.
[Related: Rubio defends Romney on tax records]
Rubio argued that private donations should support such an enterprise as NPR, and that plenty of outlets are available to house that ideology and format. He admitted, though, that he enjoys Rehm's show and that NPR's funding is low on the list of costs that should be cut.
A caller pointed out the irony of Rubio's position, saying, "He's spending an entire hour on the show today."
http://news.yahoo.com/while-npr-sen-rubio-questions-usefulness-npr-154934066--abc-news-politics.html