The amazing lineup at tonight’s inaugural Conservative Review Conference in Greenville, S.C., was slightly lighter than expected, with Sen. Marco Rubio turning out to be a no-show.
Rubio camp: "Because of a delay in today's schedule, Marco is unable to make the event below tonight. " https://t.co/WGrYlUGyp8
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 19, 2016
You know how I know this was photoshopped? #CRconvention pic.twitter.com/Ao4s0qfyqJ
— Josh Perry (@MrJoshPerry) February 19, 2016
A story at Greenville Online suggests that Rubio and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley had perhaps received a better offer in the form of a sit-down interview with Megyn Kelly at the Beacon Drive-In.
So this event became a giant Cruz rally. Probably smart of Rubio to skip… https://t.co/i5Kyeva0oa
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 19, 2016
This is the crowd of conservatives @marcorubio snubbed this evening, that's only about half of 'em!#CRconvention pic.twitter.com/KwTYED7icO
— Catherine Frazier (@catblackfrazier) February 19, 2016
Whoa…that's a lotta voters! Marco must've confused #CRconvention w/senate vote & skipped it? #TrusTED #SCPrimary https://t.co/Rh2UrjxoPe
— Diane Atkins (@DianeAtkins) February 19, 2016
#CRConvention was a @tedcruz convention! Signs, speakers and cheers were ALL IN FOR CRUZ! ??
— Susan (@CruzCrewSue) February 19, 2016
So I hear Rubio was a no show and his supporters were looking around confused… Or is that how they normally look? #CRconvention
— Robert J Mackin Sr (@mackinr813) February 19, 2016
Pay attention #SouthCarolina! @marcorubio did not even show up at #CRconvention to try to earn your conservative vote! #SCPrimary
— penelope210 (@penelopesire) February 19, 2016
If you didn't know before that #NoShowRubio makes commitments to voters that he doesn't keep, you should now. #CRconvention
— The Based Citizen (@Dulanbu) February 19, 2016
Hey @MarcoRubio was the #CRConvention not your kind of crowd? #tcot #ChooseCruz #Scalia #SCPrimary
— Sharon (@SweetFreedom29) February 19, 2016
Mark Levin: "We have our conservative… don't we?!"
Crowd cries, "Cruuuuuuuuuuuuuzzz…"#CRconvention #SCprimary #tcot #Ccot #pjnet
— Arlen Williams ن (@ArlenWms) February 19, 2016
So Rubio went on Fox News where it's easier to bash Cruz instead of the #CRconvention.
Wrong for America – too immature. Not conservative.
— ★Texas4Cruz★ (@Texas4Cruz) February 19, 2016
Apparently all it takes to stop #Marcomentum is a room full of grassroots conservatives @CR @marcorubio #CRconvention
— Pete Morrison (@PMBrief) February 19, 2016
The Ted Cruz campaign, hearing that Rubio would not be appearing, wasted no time issuing a statement.
Cruz camp says Rubio missing #CRconvention proves he "isn't even going to try to compete for" conservatives' votes. pic.twitter.com/e7BamImqX4
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) February 19, 2016
Rubio spox @AlexConant fires back: "latest example of Ted Cruz's willingness to do or say anything in this campaign" pic.twitter.com/qfGbgUVhVg
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) February 19, 2016
Every press release from them is so amateur and childish. #Rubio #CRconvention https://t.co/cRNsp1cCTa
— ★Texas4Cruz★ (@Texas4Cruz) February 19, 2016
True. Fortunately there were conservative grown-ups in the room.
Dear GOP Senate Leadership – @michellemalkin put you on blast tonight.#sorrynotsorry #CRconvention pic.twitter.com/ydqixo0Jad
— Conservative Review (@CR) February 19, 2016
Great program #CRconvention!! Thanks to @marklevin ,@michellemalkin. So much better than any of the crap-hole debates we've seen thus far!
— Skeeter Pops (@skeeterpops) February 19, 2016
#CRconvention @michellemalkin & @LevinTV pic.twitter.com/Xqi1eaCVH1
— Conservative Review (@CR) February 19, 2016
* * *
Here’s more intrigue surrounding Rubio’s absence.
Rubio campaign tells me they fell “really behind schedule” and “missed our speaking slot” at @cr
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 19, 2016
2. Rubio campaign tells me they had Tim Scott & Trey Gowdy at @CR to represent Rubio – but were not allowed to speak.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 19, 2016
Team Rubio tells me it was “bizarre” that Scott & Gowdy were not allowed to speak in place of Rubio (who bailed at the last minute). @cr
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 19, 2016
@toddstarnes @CR I was backstage. Organizers bent over backwards to rearrange schedule to accommodate #noshowrubio
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) February 19, 2016
I drove all the way from NC to see @marcorubio bail, but @SenTedCruz made a very compelling case for himself tonight #CRconvention
— Breanna Woods (@BreannaWoods) February 19, 2016