Just over a week ago Ted Cruz made the decision that would at once remove Marco Rubio from the race for the Republican presidential nomination and simultaneously hand Donald Trump almost eight percent of the delegates he needs to win the nomination outright.
It was a decision that, in keeping with his basic political instincts, was entirely Machiavellian. Cruz’ goal of becoming president justifies for him any act, regardless of its morality or consequences. His strategy was to remove Rubio from the race and set himself up as the only alternative to Trump (a description of himself that might startle John Kasich and his followers). As a result with only two weeks left before the Florida primary Cruz set up field offices all over the state and pumped huge amounts of money into a campaign designed only to insure Rubio’s defeat and subsequent withdrawal from the race.
How beautiful and inspiring then was his fawning, syrupy paean to Rubio made just minutes after Rubio’s announcement that he was suspending his campaign. Suddenly Cruz adored and respected this man whom he had spared no effort or expense in vilifying for the immediately preceding two weeks.
Marco is a friend. He's a colleague. He ran a strong, optimistic, positive campaign. His story — the son of a bartender, the son of a maid who fled Cuba seeking freedom — is powerful. It's inspirational. Marco's story, his passion, inspires me.
Marco can paint a picture, can weave a tapestry of a promise of America like nobody else. His presidential campaign inspired millions across the nation. I congratulate Marco on the tremendous campaign they ran together. To those who supported Marco, who worked so hard, we welcome you with open arms.
We bet you do, Ted. And if there’s anything else you need to do or say that can help you become president, we’ll forgive whatever that might be. Even if Rubio’s “strong, optimistic, positive campaign” is exactly the opposite of the cowardly, cynical, calculated campaign you just ran to take him down. Because whatever you might do, whatever lies you might tell, we know that, in the end, your quest for the presidency is all that matters.