Rubio, former GOP strategist fight on Twitter after Rubio criticizes DNC

A Twitter spat between a former Republican strategist who is running TV ads supporting Joe Biden’s candidacy and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio went viral on Tuesday.

Steve Schmidt, a former GOP operative who now opines on politics for MSNBC and co-founder of the anti-Trump political action group the Lincoln Project, said Rubio “is the type of man who would have stayed in Cuba in ‘59,” prompting outrage from the Cuban-American senator and other Florida Republicans on Tuesday.

Schmidt, who previously worked for President George W. Bush and GOP presidential candidate John McCain before leaving the party in 2018, attacked Rubio on Twitter after Rubio criticized the Democratic National Convention for making actress Eva Longoria the host of their virtual convention.

“Brilliant move!” Rubio tweeted on Monday evening. “No one is more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities.”

Rubio’s quip led people to point out that President Donald Trump was a celebrity known for his TV show before running for office.

Schmidt then attacked Rubio and said he would have promoted Fidel Castro if his family had stayed in Cuba. The Lincoln Project, led by former GOP operatives, has spent millions of dollars on TV ads bashing Trump and Republicans up for reelection this year.

“Rubio is the type of man who would have stayed in Cuba in ‘59,” Schmidt tweeted. “He is the type of ambitious young man who would have sensed new opportunities. He is the type of man who would have gladly held Castro’s coat if it helped him rise, just a little.”

Rubio, who has previously referred to Project Lincoln operatives like Schmidt as “grifters,” responded in the same style as Schmidt’s tweet to attack him.

“Schmidt is the type of man who turns to political prostitution,” Rubio tweeted. “The type of washed up man who sensed new opportunities to make some $. The type of man who gladly supports a party with prominent members who sympathize with Castro because it helps him be relevant, just a little.”

The back-and-forth began trending on Twitter, which prompted other Florida Republicans to defend Rubio.

“Marco is right,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott tweeted. “Steve Schmidt has always hated conservatives. His opinion is meaningless. Telling a Cuban-American leader like Marco Rubio that he would have supported Castro is offensive and idiotic.”

This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 11:03 AM.