Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is reportedly winning the support of more of his congressional colleagues than
surging rival Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Rubio picked up endorsements from nine lawmakers this month — with more expected in December — and is likely to get the backing of even more as the GOP primary field thins,
Politico reports, citing unnamed campaign and Senate sources.
"Marco is a true next-generation conservative," Montana GOP Sen. Steve Daines, one of three senators who endorsed Rubio this month, tells Politico. "Every time there's a debate, his stock goes up."
Politico writers Burgess Everett and Seung Min Kim put it more bluntly: "The idea of Cruz as the nominee is enough to send shudders down the spines of most Senate Republicans," adding most mainstream elected Republicans think "Rubio would be a much stronger general election standard bearer."
Rubio's stance on national security after the Nov. 13 ISIS attacks in Paris is one point around which colleagues are rallying — compared with Cruz's attempt to find a middle ground on national security, according to Politico.
"I don't think you can split that baby," Indiana Republican Sen. Dan Coats tells Politico about a centrist view of national security.
Adds South Dakota GOP Sen. John Thune: "Candidates running for national office who are articulating strong, firm, decisive positions that are well-thought-out are going to have an advantage," saying Rubio is "well positioned to make the arguments."
Some also like his chances against front-running Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
"Marco would have more reach to independents," especially in key swing states like Ohio and Florida against Clinton, one GOP senator tells Politico. "Democrats I know don't like the matchup."
Politico notes Democrats are pounding Rubio more frequently and harder, suggesting they see him as the most likely threat.
"The way Clinton's allies obsess about Marco must mean we're doing something right," Rubio spokesman Alex Conant tells Politico.
Cruz isn't buying the argument.
"Democrats also told Republicans Bob Dole was more electable, Democrats also told the press John McCain was more electable, Democrats also told the press Mitt Romney was more electable," Cruz tells Politico. "Then the Democrats were quite happy to go to their inauguration balls."
Cruz predicts blue-collar Democrats will get behind him like they did with Ronald Reagan, noting Cruz's "massive amnesty plan" will nix his crossover appeal, Politico reports.
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