Posted on 03/09/2016 1:18:05 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
It’s not that last night’s contests in Idaho, Hawaii, Michigan and Mississsippi doomed Marco Rubio’s campaign; it’s that the four bad performances atop Rubio’s previous disappointments — New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, and just about everywhere else not called Minnesota and Puerto Rico – have now created what feels like an insurmountable perception of defeat.
Three Rubio-friendly conservative writers — Jen Rubin of the Washington Post, Dan McLaughlin of Red State, and Guy Benson of Townhall.com — contend it’s time for Rubio to quit the race and endorse Ted Cruz.
Jen and Dan urge Rubio to strike the deal now to be Cruz’s running mate. (This assumes Cruz wants Rubio to be his vice-president.)
Guy suggests that Rubio should announce he’s withdrawing, but urge his supporters in Florida to still vote for him, as that is the more likely way to deny Trump all of Florida’s 99 delegates. This isn’t likely to work; the announcement that Rubio was quitting the race would prompt some current Rubio supporters to shift to Cruz, simply out of the psychological perception that a vote for Rubio was a wasted vote.
The “everyone unites around Cruz” strategy might be the best option remaining for the #NeverTrump crowd, but it still has flaws. Throughout this cycle, Cruz has experienced his own disappointments, losing demographics he was supposed to win. If Cruz can’t beat Trump among evangelicals in many states, how certain can anyone be that Cruz will beat Trump in those other key demographics? Cruz keeps losing to Trump among “moderate conservative” or “somewhat conservative” and “moderate” GOP voters. Why will that change in the coming weeks?
Asked a senior Republican Senate aide about the possibility of Republican senators endorsing Ted Cruz. He said Republican senators would rally to him eventually because “he is, despite all of his faults, recognizably Republican.”
Last night, as we watched the so-called “establishment lane” candidates collapse, I marveled at the continuing reluctance of the non-Trump GOP to put its full power behind Cruz. I don’t just mean the political class — endorsements have proven ineffective in stopping Trump — but the full range of donors, activists, and others who are often able to exercise decisive influence.
Activists and donors can persuade doomed candidates to quit their races, they can provide the extra organization and cash that make a difference in close contests, and they can be leaders in the difficult conversations necessary to knit a party back together. But there’s little indication this is happening — at least not yet, and maybe not until it’s too late.
The prime reason Cruz is the last conservative standing is also the prime reason he’s having trouble uniting the party. He’s the anti-establishment constitutional conservative. To a rebellious electorate, Cruz is the other acceptable revolutionary. And Cruz has done everything he can — short of burning down the Capitol — to demonstrate that he’s a politician of fierce conviction. He’s not as incendiary as Trump, but he’s undoubtedly the most incendiary senator.
And that means that enough people dislike him — often for purely personal reasons — that they’ll cut off their nose to spite their face. As I tweeted last night, grassroots rage at the establishment is giving us Trump. The establishment’s hatred for Cruz is also giving us Trump.
Cruz wouldn’t be so far ahead of Rubio and Kasich without taking on the political class, but it’s increasingly clear that he can’t get past Trump without that same political class – including its donors, leaders, and — critically — voters. Thus, the Cruz Catch-22. For him, victory depends on men and women who are willing to swallow their pride, set aside personal drama, and put their country first.
I am utterly shocked that Rubio hasn’t taken a stronger position. Our elections are typically a couple outsides with momentum and a ‘safe’ pick that less engaged or non-political voters seem to gravitate to because they sound good on the trail. Rubio was the natural place to settle, and he just keeps losing ground. It’s honestly surprising in the past few weeks. Those of us here are super-engaged in the process, watch all the debates and follow the campaign day in and out. We see what Rubio has become and know about his immigration failures. The typical voter would tune in and see his current position and likely agree and think he sounds the most reasonable. What a weird cycle.
The “dam burst” and drowned much of so-called “conservative” Media.
Interesting that more and more establishment tools keep coming out of the woodwork to slap that corporate-sponsored “anti-establishment” label on Cruz.
I agree. Rubio should get out, and take Kasich with him.
0-3...................not a good record.......................
Currently I favor Cruz and if Trump wins by one delegate I will support him. If Cruz/Trump picks any of the losers that have run, excluding each other, I will not vote for them. Especially Jeb or Rubio.
Trump is leading by about 24 points in Florida. Not all of Rubio’s voters would go to Cruz, some would go to Trump, that’s just how it works. Cruz would come in 2nd place, but in Florida, it’s Winner Take All, there is no 2nd place prize.
Candidates aren’t allowed to name a “running mate” until they win the nomination, that’s why you never see it done.
Cruzio!
Two first term senators.
Powerful ticket, geez.
Throughout this cycle, Cruz has experienced his own disappointments, losing demographics he was supposed to win. If Cruz can't beat Trump among evangelicals in many states, how certain can anyone be that Cruz will beat Trump in those other key demographics? Cruz keeps losing to Trump among "moderate conservative" or "somewhat conservative" and "moderate" GOP voters. Why will that change in the coming weeks?Maybe National Review can put Cruz on the cover, pretending that they support him, when in fact they support Democrats?
0-4 If you like Trump
I love the smell of napalmed Rubio in the morning.
The old “we’re not as bad as the Dems” ploy isn’t working any more.
Cabana Boy has already lost all of his bargaining power.
Looks like ambition for oneself will come before any kind of real rock ribbed principles if Cruz does this.
Geesh what a sellout or was it always smoke and mirrors?
Rubio’s downfall came a few debates ago when he started acting like a goofy frat boy spouting sophomoric insults against Trump.
So, what is the Catch?
Is it that Cruz is where he is relative to Rubio and Kusich because he attacks the “political class” without the support of whom he cannot overtake Trump?
Who ever advised him to go negative ruined his campaign. He was drifting along quite well as the “third way” sleeper choice until he went into attack mode.
I am sure they will discuss this at the meeting that Cruz is having with JEB!, Kasich and Rubio. There is sure to be some stronger anti-establishment mojo at that meeting. I wonder if Cruz will bring Neil Bush along?
Just a guess on my part but I think a Rubio endorsement for Cruz will be the kiss of death. These guys just don't get it, NO GOP!!
Though Cruz's current open embrace of the GOP will probably bring him down anyway. I know from FR that most Cruz supporters really believe he's the conservative but he's killing that image.
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