There’s no question that Jeb Bush was the establishment candidate of choice, and though he had a serious problem gathering votes, he had collected endorsements from a number of entrenched politicians as well as military commanders.
One of the most high profile endorsements came from Bob Dole, 92, which to most people said more about Dole’s grasp of contemporary politics than it did about Bush’s suitability for the presidency. Now that Bush has announced the suspension of his campaign after a poor showing in South Carolina Saturday, Dole has endorsed Marco Rubio in his place.
Meanwhile, Rubio's announced endorsements from three MOCs, two senators, Pawlenty, Dole & Hutchinson today.
— Alexandra Jaffe (@ajjaffe) February 22, 2016
The GOP establishment is racing to get behind Marco Rubio after Jeb Bush's early exit https://t.co/FPfUdp5Gav via bi_politics
— News Cache (@Cookiewheeler) February 22, 2016
In case anyone cares….Bob Dole endorsed Rubio today.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 22, 2016
Republican nominee from 1996 – Bob Dole – to endorse Rubio (ABC); Romney likely to. Establishment train leaving the station
— West Wing Reports (@WestWingReport) February 22, 2016
.@MarcoRubio gets Bob Dole endorsement now that @JebBush out of the race plus Asa Hutchison in Arkansas, RosLehtinen in Florida @OrrinHatch
— Andrea Mitchell (@mitchellreports) February 22, 2016
@mitchellreports If an endorsement falls in the woods, does it make a sound? First in endorsements, third in the polls…
— Guglielmo (@bzref) February 22, 2016
Marco Rubio seems to be getting the "Everybody never elected President" vote. Bob Dole #tcot #Trump2016
— The Galtington Post (@reardongalt) February 22, 2016
Well, it looks like Marco Rubio has won the Bob Dole primary. McCain and Romney can't be far behind.
— Mike Flynn (@Flynn1776) February 22, 2016
Sen. Orrin Hatch, 81, also chose to endorse Rubio, calling him the only GOP candidate “capable of uniting our party” and “reaching independent voters.”
https://twitter.com/mckaycoppins/status/701876836347678720
@mckaycoppins Do you notice that every endorsement praises him then basically muses about "he's all we got". Back against wall endorsements.
— Vikingsrule (@derek_macl) February 22, 2016
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