Conventional wisdom says that John Kasich and Marco Rubio have to win their home states of Ohio and Florida next Tuesday just to stay alive in the 2016 race for the White House. In the meantime, front-runner Donald Trump enjoys a comfortable lead. So why did it seem that his opponents would do anything rather than engage him during Thursday night’s #GOPDebate?
So far:
Trump: Inane but subdued.
Cruz: Focused and sharp
Rubio: Quick and eloquent
Kasich: IDK— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) March 11, 2016
Nearly an hour in, Ted Cruz was the first to take a direct shot at Trump, although Trump and the audience were so subdued, it’s hard to tell how many people noticed.
Cruz launching now most aggressive broadside into Trump of the night – 55 minutes into the debate
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 11, 2016
Cruz subtly hinting that Trump is a caveman -> “China Bad. Muslim Bad."
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) March 11, 2016
Cruz: the answer is not simply to yell, China bad, Muslims bad
— Caren Bohan (@carenbohan) March 11, 2016
Cruz now stepping up his critique of Trump. You can't just say Muslims bad, China bad. #GOPdebate
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) March 11, 2016
Cruz and Rubio are against war crimes. Good. Cruz now attacking Trump for incendiary language and keeping Iran deal. HOORAY!
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) March 11, 2016
Cruz taking it to Trump now on the Taylor Force murder.
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) March 11, 2016
Cruz brings it on Israeli-Palestinian "neutrality"
— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) March 11, 2016
Hugh Hewitt: "Mr. Trump, want a do-over on your 'neutral guy' comment?"
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) March 11, 2016
Ted Cruz calls the terrorist who killed American Veteran Taylor Force this week exactly what he was: A Palestinian terrorist #GOPDebate
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 11, 2016
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Is anyone but Trump running for the nomination? They all sound like they're giving up. #GOPdebate
— Jeffrey Toobin (@JeffreyToobin) March 11, 2016
This is a hell of a time for the Republican party to finally have a debate on policy.
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) March 11, 2016
Marco Rubio finally came to life when the debate turned to President Obama’s scheduled visit to Cuba, as did the audience in Miami.
Trump once again says he'll make "a good deal" – this time on Cuba. And then again. Audience laughs at him. #gopdebate
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) March 11, 2016
.@marcorubio: "Here's a good deal: Cuba has free elections. Cuba stops putting ppl in jail for speaking out. Cuba has freedom of the press.”
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) March 11, 2016
These Cuba questions are a lay-up for Rubio.
— Jim Antle (@jimantle) March 11, 2016
Rubio is crushing Trump on Cuba.
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) March 11, 2016
Unsurprisingly, Rubio knows a lot of details about Cuba. The crowd has gone wild.
— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) March 11, 2016
Whether or not you agree with Rubio on Cuba, he knows his stuff on this issue, and he knows his audience. #GOPDebate
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) March 11, 2016
Rubio's got a winner here. #GOPDebate
— Chris Matthews (@HardballChris) March 11, 2016
Never get involved in a land war in Asia, never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line, and never argue Cuba with Marco Rubio.
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) March 11, 2016
Advantage Rubio here. Big time. #GOPDebate
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) March 11, 2016
Marco Rubio wins big on Cuba. It’s almost like he’s from there or something
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) March 11, 2016
Rubio's passion on demanding freedom and democracy in Cuba is so powerful. #GOPDebate
— Emily Miller (@emilymiller) March 11, 2016
Wonderful Kasich summary of American weakness under Obama in the world. #GOPDebate
— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) March 11, 2016
Rubio schooling Trump on Cuba and the crowd is LOVING it.
— Anika Smith (@anikapanika) March 11, 2016
Biggest crowd moment of the night
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) March 11, 2016
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