I thought it odd at the time. Was Trump viewing him as a VP pick? Did he just want to stay out of it since Christie had crippled Rubio, but Trump's hands were clean?
Now I think he just wants Rubio in the race to torment Bush and keep the votes split, and Trump will finish him off when he's ready.
Looking at how the race in NH shook out, Realistically, Trump couldn't have hoped for more. A resounding victory outperforming the polls, a weak national candidate coming in a distant but clear 2nd. Cruz getting almost no recognition for a good performance (which I think he deserves... I wouldn't have bet on third for Cruz in NH). Bush the new "anointed RINO" trying to sell a 4th place, 11% share as "victory." Rubio severely damaged, but strong enough to continue to drain the establishment coffers.
Really, everything worked perfectly in NH from a Trump perspective.
I agree completely. Trump's real enemy is the GOPe, at this point, and that enemy has split its money and soldiers. May as well let "you and him fight it out."
Whenever one of the GOPe-appointed galdiators drops out, it means more direct fire incoming to Trump.
This is analysis, not advocacy:
If Trump is the nominee there’s a good chance he picks Rubio as his VP.
It potentially helps Trump with Hispanics and Floridians (though by how much, is an open question). It gives him a Washington/establishment insider on the ticket (and can be seen as a sop to GOPe [I’ll keep your boy Marco around and train him for when he’s actually ready to run]). Similarly, Rubio is likely to be a “good soldier” who will say what Donald wants. It’s a nice finger in the eye to Jeb that Trump picked the “uppity kid” who wouldn’t wait his turn for Bush. Finally, it keeps Cruz in the Senate (warming up a seat for SCotUS maybe).
Sure, some of the Trumpkins will squawk at first but in the end they aren’t going to throw over the Donald just because he picked an establishment running mate.