Mitt Romney was the wrong person to lead the attack against GOP front-runner Donald Trump, Republican strategist Mary Matalin said Sunday.
"I think it was the wrong messenger and wrong timing," Matalin said on
"Meet the Press," but she agreed with New York Times columnist David Brooks that the message was right in attacking Trump's business dealings and scandals rather than his anti-politically correct stance or perception of a bully, since that is exactly what his supporters are drawn to.
"When you attack Trump the person, you're trumping the people who support him," Matalin said. "When you show that his business record isn't good and all that other stuff, then you make people think this is evidenced in the late vote that went to [Texas Sen. Ted] Cruz in Louisiana."
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio hurt Trump more than Cruz did, she said, but added that Rubio hurt himself in the process.
"But what Mitt did say, which is important, the time for choosing is now," Matalin said. "And if the party wants to stop Trump, they have to stop [Ohio Gov. John] Kasich. And they have to stop Rubio. And they have to stop them right now, saving Rubio the embarrassment of losing his home state."
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