It’s a Tie: Rubio and Cruz Break Out in the Open in Third Republican Debate

PJ Media ^ | 10-29-2015 | Michael van der Galien

[Michael van der Galien]

Yesterday’s debate was probably the most important debate thus far — and not only because the moderators did such a bad job that even liberal journalists are criticizing them. No, the main thing I take away from it is the rise of two young senators: Ted Cruz of Texas, and Marco Rubio of Florida.

As my colleague Walter Hudson writes, Cruz’s big moment came when he blasted the moderators — and the mainstream media in general — for being biased against Republicans.

[VIDEO]

Frank Luntz’s focus group showed a 98/98 positive response to this exchange: a score Luntz had never seen before yesterday. It just doesn’t happen. Until now.

Rubio also had a tremendous evening. For example, he followed Cruz’s lead by attacking the moderators, calling them the Democrats’ SuperPAC. His best moment, however, came when Jeb Bush attacked him for missing important votes in the Senate. According to the former Florida governor, his old protegé should resign and just focus on the race for president. Rubio didn’t quite agree and blasted Jeb! for being an opportunistic hack, who only attacks him because he thinks it’ll help him in the polls.

[VIDEO]

The result: Jeb was KO’ed, Rubio will almost certainly become the establishment’s favorite from here on out, and Cruz proved himself to be — by far — the most competent and effective conservative debater on stage.

Although Trump and Carson are still leading in the (national) polls, it’ll likely boil down to a race between Rubio and Cruz.

[Michael van der Galien]

Jeb Bush can go home now. You're done governor, thanks (but no thanks) for your service.

[Arm_Bears]

What about iCarly Effing-RINO?

Haven’t heard a thing about her.

Did she even show up?

[basil]

Well, at least he won’t have to worry about standing on his tippy toes any longer—LOL!

[libbylu]

Absolutely right. I am relieved.
Yes, Rubio will be for sale. I am sure he can’t wait to sign every amnesty related bill congress passes. Lots of pubbies seem to have forgotten his gang of eight betrayal. Best thing I can say about it, when it happened and I told them I was done with Rubio they did quit contacting me.

[Hugin]

Although Trump and Carson are still leading in the (national) polls, it'll likely boil down to a race between Rubio and Cruz.

No it won't. Trump has the most loyal supporters, and more of them. They and he aren't going anywhere.

[gore_sux]

I don’t care what anybody says, I am perfectly fine with a Cruz/Rubio ticket as long as Cruz is up at the top.

[Calpublican]

{”Did she even show up?”}

She is wearing thin, as she does.

[Politicalkiddo]

I don’t like Rubio by any means, but I must admit that he held his own very well.

[Jim from C-Town]

I think Cruz is the most likely to rise, due mostly to the knockout that Bush received from Rubio last night and the set up for knock out that Trump did over the last three months.

Now that it seems like there is no chance that JEB gets elected, people will feel safe to go full bore conservative. that is Cruz. The establishment goes Rubio, Trump knocked out Lehman Brothers Board member and crony ‘out by Thanksgiving’ Kasich and leaving Rubio the only safe harbor for the GOPe and he is not near as safe as they would like since he is Conservative EXCEPT for immigration.

I see it this way. Carson falls as Cruz rises, JEB, Kasich and the other rans lose more and Rubio jumps to solid double digits. Cruz picks up the evangelicals from Huckabee, and Carson. Jumps to a virtual tie with Rubio and Carson at around fifteen & Trump continues with a strong plurality.

Trump held serve. He didn’t do anything to lose support, so he shouldn’t and if he holds at 25-35% through the winter he wins, picks Cruz as his running mate. Starts fleshing out his cabinet with some big stars, YES Rubio is a big time asset. He has a great story and a better delivery that anyone else on the stage including Cruz who is no slouch.

Regardless, anyone,save JEB, would be formidable in the General.

[Hugin]

I’m not making predictions other than that Trump will continue to hold 25-35% nationally, and a lot more in some states. As for the rest, who knows? I still can’t figure out the whole Ben Carson thing.

[chris37]

I’m sorry, but Marco Rubio isn’t worth discussing.

Cruz, however, did quite well, and will no doubt continue to.

[berdie]

Rubio and Cruz did well because they were given (or seized) time that they hadn’t been given previously.

I did stand up and cheer Cruz leading the charge against the moderators!

[djstex]

Jeb out and Rubio gets a surge but... CRUZ will soon be right beside Trump as I’ve said all along. These men are going all the way.

[Longdriver69]

Rubio hates American labor.

[Pelham]

Rubio si, America no.

[Pelham]

” and he is not near as safe as they would like since he is Conservative EXCEPT for immigration”

Well that’s a huge ‘except’.

Rubio spent his time as Speaker of the Florida House killing all attempts to deal with illegal immigration.

The Gang of Eight adventure wasn’t the first time that Rubio worked with the treason lobby.

[Jim from C-Town]

I agree. Immigration is the prime issue. It must be stopped and returned to a reasonable policy of little to no immigration of any kind for a couple decades.