Trailing in third place after 18 state primaries, Republican senator promises to defy polls showing him behind Trump in March 15 ballot
Republican Marco Rubio told supporters at a campaign stop in Puerto Rico that he knew this would be the toughest stretch of his campaign for president.
Having lost in several states in Saturday’s nominating contests, Rubio is looking to Puerto Rico for a victory on Sunday. So far, he has only one win out of 18 primary contests.
Rubio said Saturday that the upcoming schedule of primaries is better for his campaign and that the states voting Saturday “have a certain profile” that benefits “other candidates.”
The Florida senator said he still picked up delegates as part of the GOP’s proportional distribution process and now looks forward to the winner-take-all phase of the race that begins March 15.
First up: his home state of Florida, where he again guaranteed victory — despite preference polls showing him trailing GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.
Ted Cruz cinched double-barreled victories in Kansas and Maine, and Republican front-runner Donald Trump captured Louisiana on Saturday, fresh evidence that there’s no quick end in sight to the fractious GOP race for president. The two men were in a tight battle for bragging rights in Kentucky.
On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders notched wins in Nebraska and Kansas, while front-runner Hillary Clinton snagged Louisiana, another split decision from the American people.
“God bless Kansas,” Cruz declared during a rally in Idaho, which votes in three days. “The scream you hear, the howl that comes from Washington DC, is utter terror at what we the people are doing together.”
The Texas senator defeated Trump easily in Kansas and Maine, and Trump rolled to victory in Louisiana, underscoring that his appeal knows no geographic limitation. Partial returns showed Cruz and Trump locked in a close race in Kentucky.
Despite the support of many elected officials, Rubio trails the two frontrunners in overall delegate count, raising serious questions about his viability in the race. He badly needs Florida’s 99 delegates to remain a credible contender for the GOP nomination for president.
Cruz suggested Saturday it was time for some Republican candidates to quit the race.
Cruz, a tea party favorite, attributed his strong showing to conservatives coalescing behind his candidacy, calling it a “manifestation of a real shift in momentum.”
With the GOP race in chaos, establishment figures frantically are looking for any way to derail Trump, perhaps at a contested convention if no candidate can get enough delegates to lock up the nomination in advance. Party leaders — including 2012 nominee Mitt Romney and 2008 nominee Sen. John McCain — are fearful a Trump victory would lead to a disastrous November election, with losses up and down the GOP ticket.
“Everyone’s trying to figure out how to stop Trump,” the billionaire marveled at an afternoon rally in Orlando, Florida, where he had supporters raise their hands and swear to vote for him.
As reported by The Times of Israel