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"Rubio-Kasich, Kasich-Rubio - I think those combinations, if they could consolidate and come together, would be [a] very potent ticket in the fall and maybe help us stop Trump," . . But I can tell you this, that I think I understand the nation pretty well in terms of what problems we have as Republicans," Graham said, ripping Trump's rhetoric on Hispanics and his "race baiting and religious bigotry."

Republican Marco Rubio's presidential run has drawn more money from Wall Street donors than any other candidate, according to a Reuters review of campaign finance disclosures, shoring up his position as his party's establishment alternative to front-runner Donald Trump. The U.S. senator from Florida has received more than $4 million from the employees of banks and investment firms like Bank of America Corp (BAC.N), Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) since launching his bid for the presidency last year, according to the analysis of individual donations totaling more than $200 each.

In the last two days the following have endorsed Marco Rubio: 2/22 Asa Hutchinson GOV. (R-ARK.) 2/22 Jeff Flake SEN. (R-ARIZ.) 2/22 Thom Tillis SEN. (R-N.C.) 2/22 Gus M. Bilirakis REP. (R-FLA.) 2/22 Jeff Miller REP. (R-FLA.) 2/21 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen REP. (R-FLA.) 2/21 Carlos Curbelo REP. (R-FLA.) 2/21 Mario Diaz-Balart REP. (R-FLA.) 2/21 Mark Amodei REP. (R-NEV.) 2/21 Cresent Hardy REP. (R-NEV.) 2/21 Dean Heller SEN .(R-NEV.)

"Now that my good friend Jeb Bush is no longer running, I'm supporting Rubio," . . Dole said that if Trump were to become president, the real estate mogul might "surprise" people with his performance, especially if he surrounds himself with qualified and experienced advisers. . . "I'd be happy to be his adviser," Dole added.

Saturday's Republican primary in South Carolina was not quite the train wreck for the not-Trump portion of the party that seemed likely after New Hampshire's multi-candidate pileup. Boosted by Nikki Haley's endorsement, Marco Rubio basically saved his campaign with a second-place finish, while Jeb Bush finished far enough back that dropping out became the only honorable option. But of course Kasich is still in the race, and showing no signs of departing. I haven't ever written about his path to the nomination, mostly because I've never thought he had one. But then again this year has defied reasonable expectations. The...

Rubio inherits establishment support but is on a narrow path to stop Trump By Sean Sullivan February 22 at 2:20 PM LAS VEGAS — Mainstream Republican donors and elected officials are swiftly flocking to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) amid a growing sense that is he is the last best chance to prevent Donald Trump from running away with the Republican nomination. But Rubio’s path remains narrow and perilous. He has yet to win a state, and a raft of major March 1 contests known as “Super Tuesday” offers few obvious chances for him to do so. And if Trump keeps...

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is finally getting off the sidelines to endorse Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), in a final effort to defeat Donald Trump after the billionaire took early states in New Hampshire and South Carolina by storm. According to the Huffington Post’s Scott Conroy, Romney had been waiting for Jeb Bush to exit the race before endorsing Rubio citing “respect" for the former Florida governor.

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for president, the senator's staff confirmed to the Washington Examiner. Hatch is one of the highest ranking Republicans in Congress, and he is third in the line of the succession to the U.S. presidency as president pro tempore of the United States Senate. The six-term senator had previously endorsed Jeb Bush and sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. Hatch's endorsement could be interpreted as a sign of the party's governing class rallying to Rubio.

With the South Carolina primary just 18 days away, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has thrown his support behind colleague Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for the GOP presidential nomination. The buzz that Scott would endorse Rubio began before the last ballots were counted in Monday's Iowa caucuses. Scott announced his support in a campaign video filmed in front of his childhood home. "It's a long way from where I grew up to the U.S. Senate. I believe the best days of our country are ahead of her -- that 2016 may be the most important election," Scott said. "I am putting...