Posted on 02/22/2016 5:10:10 PM PST by jazusamo
The Republican establishment has circled the wagons around Sen. Marco Rubio over the last two days as more than a dozen governors and members of Congress belatedly tossed their support behind him as their best hope for halting Donald Trump's bid for the White House.
But they are also wondering if they're too late, with one top Republican saying Mr. Trump's easy victory over the weekend in South Carolina makes it more likely than not that he will be their nominee in November.
"I personally believe it's down to a two-person race," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" -- adding that Mr. Trump is ahead of Mr. Rubio in that contest. "The bigger advantage is to Trump. He's got the momentum. I think there's more [than] a 50 percent chance he's the nominee."
Mr. McCarthy has not picked sides in the race, but many of his colleagues rushed to do so, with Mr. Rubio adding the support of a sitting governor, four senators and nine House members on Sunday and Monday.
"Marco has a unique ability to effectively communicate detailed, conservative plans in a way that attracts people who do not normally vote for Republicans," said Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, a Utah Republican who is also the president pro tempore.
Also lining up behind Mr. Rubio was former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a 2012 presidential candidate himself, who said Mr. Rubio is the unifier the GOP needs.
"I think he's got the total package, and I think he's going to bring forward the strongest voice, the strongest image and really the most thoughtful and informed, strong view about how to move this country forward from a conservative perspective," Mr. Pawlenty said on CNN's "New Day."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
The RINOs are scared to death.
Amnesty boy is so gay!
Seriously, why would a “ conservative” support Amnesty? Why?
This year endorsements hurt more than help.
When is Mitch McConnell endorsing the cabana boy?
All the RINOs endorsing the La Raza poster boy,like that’s going to help.
I thought that Trump was the establishment’s pet.
wow, but trumpsters say Cruz is a GOPe...
All of these endorsements reinforce our decision to support Trump. They don’t get it and they won’t get it until we have President Trump !
A long as they can dump Trump then the GOPe will keep their empire of corruption and Hillary will be President.
I just heard a caller to the Mark Levin show say that tonight CNN said that the Republican establishment is now pressuring Kasich to get out of the race. Mark Levin said maybe we need to get our news from CNN instead of Fox.
No surprise. Robot Rubio has always been the establishment’s guy. The puppet is easy to control and all for amnesty and Syrians.
I am starting to think there was a back-room deal between Bush and Rubio: whoever does worse in SC drops out.
Those establishment endorsements will ensure Boobio will go nowhere fast, soon.
In a year of bubbling anti-establishment sentiment and anger, its fatal to be tagged an insider.
Just ask Jeb Bush.
What a bizarre statement, when the evidence is that that is exactly what Trump is doing--attracting people who normally do not vote Republican. Rubio has said some distinctly non-conservative things lately, notably on the topic of illegal immigration.
One sure way to bring Trump/Cruz supporters together.
Too little, too late - this attempt is too transparent. It’s like Marco Rubio is like the life preserver of the GOPe - if they all like him, something must be wrong with him.
If the election was FAIR , meaning no voter fraud , voting tabulated in the USA and not in Spain by a company friendly to the Demorats , no illegal alien voting , etc...I’d say Trump would mop the floor with any Dem . But since those will take place , I’m afraid any R will lose .
Are you nuts? Why in hell do you think we are pushing for Trump. You obviously know nothing what is going on and no use explaining. You would never understand.
Trump for President.
America is bankrupt, overrun borders, economy entering recession, wars all over getting worse.. and people want to elect a slick talking Junior Senator with no experience doing anything who speaks with a lisp..
unreal..been there done that sorry
No more 1-Term Senators.
We’ve already tried that.
It doesn’t work.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.