Pundits, GOP operatives and former presidential advisers are dumbfounded by Sen. Marco Rubio’s statements concerning Donald Trump. Rather than mumble a quiet endorsement, the Florida Republican insists upon remaining in the limelight, digging a hole from which he may not be able to dig himself out.
The Democratic National Committee put together a devastating ad that recalls Rubio’s many admonishments that Trump was unfit to serve as president, lacked any grasp of policy, was disqualified by failure to denounce the Ku Klux Klan and David Duke — only to now say he is “honored” to speak on behalf of Trump.
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Consider the alternative approach taken by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.). Cruz has been mostly out of sight, not feeling compelled to remain in the glare of the media. (It is ironic that Cruz, famous for grandstanding, knows now is a good time to make himself scarce, letting potential rivals in 2020 tie themselves up in knots.) Cruz has not yet endorsed Trump, nor has he taken back his blistering, brilliant indictment of Trump’s personal faults. The impression one gets from the contrasting tactics is that Cruz is the more principled and disciplined of the two, more sure of himself.
It is not clear if Cruz or Rubio will run in 2020. It’s even less clear that voters in 2020 will remember what has been said over the last few days. But donors, party insiders, activists and peers are watching and taking note. Cruz seems to be defying his negative stereotype, while Rubio is reinforcing his. (Moreover, the impression they are leaving now is likely to erase the even more distant memories of 2015, when Cruz was buddying up to Trump.)
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