MSNBC “Morning Joe” host and former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough is declaring Marco Rubio’s presidential ambitions for 2016 done.
In a new column for the Washington Post, Scarborough acknowledged that Rubio enjoyed an effective debate performance on Thursday, where Rubio took a more aggressive approach to front-runner Donald Trump than he had previously, but that it won’t lead to any primary delegate gains.
“In 2016, that candidate will not be Marco Rubio,” wrote Scarborough. “Expect a bright future from Florida’s junior senator, whether he decides to run for reelection to the Senate, or for governor in 2018 or as Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick later this year. Regardless of what the future holds, Marco Rubio’s campaign for president is effectively over.”
Rubio has yet to win a primary or caucus state, while Trump has won three and Cruz one. The Rubio campaign has also indicated a lack of confidence that it will come out strong on Super Tuesday, next week, when several states vote at the same time.
This week, Scarborough also said Ted Cruz’s campaign “ended in South Carolina,” where he suffered a big defeat in a state that he was assumed to do well in.
