Jeb's Sea Cruise

Jeb Bush set up a deal with Carnival Cruise Lines to house Katrina victims. FEMA paid $236 million. Forbes reports the ships were "half-empty for weeks in the Gulf Coast." The terms of the deal are being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Carnival Cruise Lines official, Ric Cooper, set the deal up with Michael Brown.

"One of my HQ folks working the housing issue is going to contact you directly," Brown wrote. "If you haven't heard from them by close of business tomorrow, please call me on my cell phone ...Thanks. MDB"

On Sept. 1, Cooper then appealed to Brown and Brad Gair, FEMA's housing area command director, to speed along its consideration of Carnival's bid, saying the company needed to make plans accordingly.

Cooper is a Florida resident. He has been a major donor to the Republican Party. In 2004, Cooper donated $50 thousand to the Republican National Committee. He has donated to Republican state parties in Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. Cooper also donated to several state committees. The money came through Cooper & Hayes Inc. The company runs the advertising firm Rampage Interactive. One of their clients is Carnival Cruise Lines.

Update: Mike catches donations from Ric Cooper that I missed.

Unmentioned is that, in addition to the contributions mentioned, he also donated $186,000.00 to the Republican Party of Florida since 1998.

Tags: Jeb Bush, Katrina, fema