Florida Rep. Connie Mack, who’s seeking the GOP Senate nomination in Florida, wouldn’t comment on whether he will vote to extend subsidized interest rates on federal student loans in an interview with MSNBC’s Chuck Todd Tuesday morning. Without intervention from Congress, interest rates will double this summer.
The Obama campaign is pushing for an extension of the subsidy and lower interest rates this week, and is using the issue to energize young Americans and attack Republicans — an tack Romney somewhat undercut when he came out in favor of the extension on Monday.
But Romney’s support for a measure that House Republicans oppose puts Mack and his colleagues in a tight spot. Todd pushed Mack to take a position on the issue, and Mack steadfastly refused. Here’s the exchange:
Chuck Todd: Mitt Romney and President Obama are both endorsing essentially this plan that would not allow student loan interest rates to double by the summer. Where are you on this?
Connie Mack: Well, look, again, I think what is happening in the state of Florida, if you don’t mind, Chuck, I want to talk about what’s happening here in the state of Florida.
CT: I understand, but this is a choice you’re going to have to make.
CM: Wait, wait, wait, what I’m telling you in the state of Florida during this Senate campaign people are concerned about their homes and jobs. That is the issue …
Todd reprised the line of questioning a second time:
CT: But you’ve got to cast a vote on this issue about student loans. What vote are you going to cast?
CM: Well, we’ll take it — when the vote comes up, we’ll cast that vote, but I’m telling you that people who are watching your program today and if they’re in Florida, what they’re concerned about is jobs and the economy and how we’re going to balance a budget with a $16 4 trillion deficit. Chuck, this is what people down here are talking about —
CT: You don’t think anybody is concerned about their student loan interest rates?
CM: We will absolutely be able to cast a vote, and when that happens we’ll be happy to do so.
