Rubio is the spoiler for both the governors and Trump/Cruz.
Somebody needs to get word to both Trump and Cruz to call a truce for SC. Rubio alone should be their target.
Rubio must be stopped in SC. If he is then either Trump or Cruz will win.
If Rubio is not stopped soon, America loses.
You are right. Unfortunately I do not see Trump attacking anyone other than Cruz.
Do you think it’s possible that Trump has held his fire on Rubio because he is planning to choose him as his running mate? I know his enthusiasts might flame me for asking the question, but if you are Trump, doesn’t it make sense?
Trump, having already secured the nomination at that point, would in a single move pull in the Rubio supporters, ease the establishment’s concerns a little, position Florida in the general election, and immediately blunt the racism argument... “what do you mean I am racist? I just chose the guy who will be the first Latino vice president. Latinos love me!” It would help him assure the pro-lifers as well. The only hitch is immigration, but I have no doubt he will bank to center on that when convenient to him in any case. He seems to have no scruples about such reversals, and anyway if I am not mistaken his son already has hinted that after the wall is underway and the touch-back process has begun, there would be a compromise for background-checked folks to return. He has left himself latitude to make their return a guest-worker program while they wait for normal citizenship eligibility. Then all he has to do is have those workers pay a fee and maybe freeze a few drug-lord’s assets and he can say “Mexico” is paying for the wall. Everyone is happy except his supporters on these boards who believed his art of the deal crap (lie and hyperbolize before the negotiation to drive the final compromise to your real position) was for everyone else except them.
I am only half-serious at this point - the idea having just popped into my head - but I did think it strange that Trump hasn’t double-tapped Rubio while he was on the ground. I could see him sort of saying, “hey, he’s a talented guy... not quite ready for president, but a good VP.” I think Trump might actually be contemplating this.
Just for full disclosure, I do not support Trump. I prefer Ted Cruz, but would probably hold my nose and vote for any of the remaining candidates except Trump. I just can’t pull the lever for him. I appreciate the dents he has put in the establishment and political correctness, but I can’t get past his utterly liberal track record, his big-government tendencies, his twitter-tough-guy pompousness, and the transparent condescension toward people of faith. All that said, he is still interesting to watch, and I think he is keeping his options open on Rubio.
I think you overestimate Rubio’s chances... after Saturday’s debate, he’s basically become a punchline... Can one recover from a punchline? Sure, if you are a punchline early enough in the process and given enough time... 19 days isn’t a whole lot of time.
Rubio literally shot himself in the head last Saturday, it truly was spectacular to see someone do that, no I’m not speaking hyperbole, it was literally a political Bud Dwyer moment. The exchange with Christie will be studied by political science students for decades hence.
So far as I know no new SC polls have come out since then, but I just don’t see how Rubio sees more than 10% or so again. He had his moment and chance coming out of IA, and he just blew it.