Sen. Marco Rubio came prepared to play on the big stage Thursday night. He fired away at GOP front-runner Donald Trump and worked mightily to dispel the notion that he falters under pressure.
In New Hampshire, Rubio had a less-than-stellar showing at the polls after a disappointing debate performance where Gov. Chris Christie shredded him to bits and cast him as a robot who repeats the same tired talking points. But on Thursday night, Rubio came armed with detailed policy prescriptions and confidently lobbed attacks at the person standing in his way on the path to the nomination, Donald Trump.
Ahead of the final debate before the crucial Super Tuesday contests, sources close to GOP donors said that in order for Rubio to attract certain Jeb Bush contributors, he would have to prove he could take on Trump — something he proved capable of Thursday night.
Rubio took the GOP front-runner to task on a host of issues, most notably on immigration, health care, and Israel.
When the debate turned to health care, fireworks erupted between Trump and Rubio. Rubio pressed the billionaire businessman on his actual plan and policy proposals. “He said he likes the individual mandate portion of it, which I don’t believe that should be a part of it,” said Rubio.
Trump fired back at the Florida senator. “I would absolutely get rid of Obamacare,” he said, while also advocating for keeping provisions forcing insurers to ignore pre-existing conditions.
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Trump advocated for allowing competition between insurers across state lines. But Rubio pushed him for more details. “What is your plan? I understand the lines around the state, whatever that means — this isn’t a game where you draw maps,” said Rubio. Then the two accused each other of repeating themselves.
“I watched him repeat himself five times four weeks ago,” said Trump, referencing Rubio’s New Hampshire debate performance.
“I just watched you repeat yourself five times five seconds ago,” quipped a laughing Rubio.
On the issue of immigration, Rubio cited a recent report regarding Trump’s hiring of foreign workers instead of American workers to build Trump Towers.
“You’re the only person on this stage that has ever been fined for hiring people to work on your projects illegally,” fired Rubio.
Trump denied the claims. “That’s wrong, totally wrong,” said Trump.
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But then moderator Wolf Blitzer of CNN asked Trump about how the wall he wants to build at the border would be paid for, since the former Mexican president has said “I’m not paying for that f***ing wall.” A fiery Trump retorted, in one of the best lines of the night: “I will, and the wall just got 10 feet taller … We’re going to make them pay for that wall,” said Trump.
“If he builds the wall the way he built Trump Towers, he’ll be using illegal immigrant labor to do it,” Rubio quipped.
Trump was asked about recent comments he made on being neutral in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. “It doesn’t do any good to start demeaning the neighbors, because I would love to do something with regard to negotiating peace, finally, for Israel and for their neighbors,” he said.
“The position you’ve taken is an anti-Israel position,” said Rubio.
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Trump, clearly not rattled by Rubio’s response, referred to his background as a negotiator and called out Rubio for his inability to negotiate — and Rubio hit back. “The Palestinians are not a real estate deal, Donald.”
Rubio proved he could hold his own against Trump. But it may be too little too late, as this was the first time that Rubio, who has yet to win an early state content, has tried to go after the GOP front-runner — who has won three.
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