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Campaign live: Lindsey Graham backs Ted Cruz for Republican nomination | Campaign live: Lindsey Graham backs Ted Cruz for Republican nomination |
(35 minutes later) | |
8.49pm GMT | |
20:49 | |
Marco Rubio on Garland nomination: “I know enough about his record to know I wouldn’t support him" | |
Sabrina Siddiqui | |
Two days after suspending his campaign for president, Marco Rubio wasted no time returning to his day job on Capitol Hill. | |
Rubio, while addressing reporters just before an intelligence committee hearing, was quick to put to rest any immediate speculation over his future. | |
“I’m not going to be anybody’s vice president. I’m not interested in being vice president,” Rubio said. “I’m not running for governor of Florida. I’m going to finish out my term in the senate ... and then I’ll be a private citizen in January.” | |
Rubio, who declined to seek re-election for his senate seat while running for president, also ruled out a late entry into the Florida race to hold on to his seat. Comments made by Rubio to his supporters earlier today on the state of the race garnered attention, after the senator reportedly said his former rival Ted Cruz was “the only conservative left in the race.” | |
Rubio downplayed their significance while speaking with reporters, adding he was not making any endorsements at this stage. | |
“Clearly Ted’s positions on issues are conservative, but I don’t have anything further to elaborate on,” Rubio said. He added that he likes Ohio governor John Kasich, too, but was simply stating his opinion on the remainder of the Republican field. | |
Rubio also held firm in his opposition to filling the supreme court vacancy left by the late justice Antonin Scalia under Barack Obama. The senator said he didn’t plan to meet with Merrick Garland, the president’s nominee, and even if they spoke it wouldn’t change his mind. | |
“I know enough about his record to know I wouldn’t support him and I know enough about the position in general to say I don’t think we should be moving forward on a nominee in the last year of this president’s term,” Rubio said. | |
8.26pm GMT | 8.26pm GMT |
20:26 | 20:26 |
Scott Bixby | Scott Bixby |
Onetime gubernatorial candidate and former grand wizard of the Ku Kluz Klan David Duke has declared that the success of Republican billionaire frontrunner Donald Trump could go a long way towards rehabilitating Adolf Hitler’s public image. | Onetime gubernatorial candidate and former grand wizard of the Ku Kluz Klan David Duke has declared that the success of Republican billionaire frontrunner Donald Trump could go a long way towards rehabilitating Adolf Hitler’s public image. |
Duke, who has endorsed Trump’s bid for the Republican nomination, declared on his radio show this week that “they might be rehabilitating that fellow with the mustache back there in Germany, because I saw a commercial against Donald Trump, a really vicious commercial, comparing what Donald Trump said about preserving America and making America great again to Hitler in Germany preserving Germany and making Germany great again.” | Duke, who has endorsed Trump’s bid for the Republican nomination, declared on his radio show this week that “they might be rehabilitating that fellow with the mustache back there in Germany, because I saw a commercial against Donald Trump, a really vicious commercial, comparing what Donald Trump said about preserving America and making America great again to Hitler in Germany preserving Germany and making Germany great again.” |
“This war that’s going on against Donald Trump is really a war going on against America, it’s a war going on against the European-American majority,” Duke said later in the program. “The media has incited hatred and violence and repression of Donald Trump and the hundreds of thousands, the millions of people who support him, and that’s what happened in Chicago.” | “This war that’s going on against Donald Trump is really a war going on against America, it’s a war going on against the European-American majority,” Duke said later in the program. “The media has incited hatred and violence and repression of Donald Trump and the hundreds of thousands, the millions of people who support him, and that’s what happened in Chicago.” |
Trump has gotten heat for dragging his feet on condemning Duke and the Ku Klux Klan, telling CNN that “certainly I would disavow it if I thought there was something wrong.” | Trump has gotten heat for dragging his feet on condemning Duke and the Ku Klux Klan, telling CNN that “certainly I would disavow it if I thought there was something wrong.” |
Trump subsequently reversed course, tweeting: “As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke – I disavow.” | Trump subsequently reversed course, tweeting: “As I stated at the press conference on Friday regarding David Duke – I disavow.” |
8.07pm GMT | 8.07pm GMT |
20:07 | 20:07 |
General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, discussed suggestions made by Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on dealing with Islamic State terrorists, while appearing before the Senate armed services committee today. | General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, discussed suggestions made by Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump on dealing with Islamic State terrorists, while appearing before the Senate armed services committee today. |
While Trump was not mentioned by name, the general said asking members of the military to “target civilian non-combatants and engage in techniques such as waterboarding” – both of which have been championed by Trump – would have “many adverse effects”, including on force morale. | While Trump was not mentioned by name, the general said asking members of the military to “target civilian non-combatants and engage in techniques such as waterboarding” – both of which have been championed by Trump – would have “many adverse effects”, including on force morale. |
7.40pm GMT | 7.40pm GMT |
19:40 | 19:40 |
David Smith | David Smith |
Republican opposition to the nomination of a supreme court justice is crumbling now that the “stellar” Merrick Garland has been put forward, senate Democrats claimed on Thursday. | Republican opposition to the nomination of a supreme court justice is crumbling now that the “stellar” Merrick Garland has been put forward, senate Democrats claimed on Thursday. |
The Republican leadership is holding out against senate confirmation hearings or a vote after Barack Obama named Garland to replace conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last month. Republican senators insist that the next president should make the selection. | The Republican leadership is holding out against senate confirmation hearings or a vote after Barack Obama named Garland to replace conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, who died last month. Republican senators insist that the next president should make the selection. |
But Chuck Schumer, Democratic senator for New York, said in response to a question from the Guardian on Thursday: “We are seeing cracks on the Republican side. About five or six members have agreed already to meet with the nominee and I think what happened is they saw how stellar the nominee was and they realised how bad it would be not to ... They’re feeling the heat and we believe we’ll see many more cracks over the next two weeks.” | But Chuck Schumer, Democratic senator for New York, said in response to a question from the Guardian on Thursday: “We are seeing cracks on the Republican side. About five or six members have agreed already to meet with the nominee and I think what happened is they saw how stellar the nominee was and they realised how bad it would be not to ... They’re feeling the heat and we believe we’ll see many more cracks over the next two weeks.” |
Schumer and other Democratic senators addressed reporters outside the supreme court ahead of Garland’s first meetings on Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoon. He was due to make courtesy calls on Democrats Harry Reid and Patrick Leahy but not on Republicans. | Schumer and other Democratic senators addressed reporters outside the supreme court ahead of Garland’s first meetings on Capitol Hill on Thursday afternoon. He was due to make courtesy calls on Democrats Harry Reid and Patrick Leahy but not on Republicans. |
Related: Democrats see 'cracks' in Republican block of Merrick Garland confirmation | Related: Democrats see 'cracks' in Republican block of Merrick Garland confirmation |
7.16pm GMT | 7.16pm GMT |
19:16 | 19:16 |
Billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has discovered Twitter’s polling function... | Billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has discovered Twitter’s polling function... |
Who should star in a reboot of Liar Liar- Hillary Clinton or Ted Cruz? Let me know. https://t.co/ESdiEftWGs | Who should star in a reboot of Liar Liar- Hillary Clinton or Ted Cruz? Let me know. https://t.co/ESdiEftWGs |
6.55pm GMT | 6.55pm GMT |
18:55 | 18:55 |
Video – Top military official says Trump’s plans would have ‘adverse effects’ | Video – Top military official says Trump’s plans would have ‘adverse effects’ |
6.42pm GMT | 6.42pm GMT |
18:42 | 18:42 |
Kasich announces he will contest Utah, where Ted Cruz is expected to make a strong run among conservatives and Mormon voters. | Kasich announces he will contest Utah, where Ted Cruz is expected to make a strong run among conservatives and Mormon voters. |
John Kasich announces a Utah swing, well timed to deny Cruz the 50% threshold to get all the state's delegates. | John Kasich announces a Utah swing, well timed to deny Cruz the 50% threshold to get all the state's delegates. |
Some observers raise an eyebrow, noting that by Utah’s rules, a candidate who takes a majority of the vote wins all 40 of the state’s Republican delegates. Wouldn’t that be a better outcome than a split verdict in which Trump snags some delegates from the state, bringing him closer to the coveted 1,237 majority? | Some observers raise an eyebrow, noting that by Utah’s rules, a candidate who takes a majority of the vote wins all 40 of the state’s Republican delegates. Wouldn’t that be a better outcome than a split verdict in which Trump snags some delegates from the state, bringing him closer to the coveted 1,237 majority? |
The Kasich camp says the point is still to keep Trump out of the delegates – by keeping him below a 15% threshold for winning any delegates. | The Kasich camp says the point is still to keep Trump out of the delegates – by keeping him below a 15% threshold for winning any delegates. |
@ForecasterEnten @NickRiccardi Wrong. We can win delegates and keep Trump under the 15 percent threshold for getting any delegates. | @ForecasterEnten @NickRiccardi Wrong. We can win delegates and keep Trump under the 15 percent threshold for getting any delegates. |
Update: it’s not clear that Kasich plan is so solid. Because the 15% threshold ceases to apply if only two candidates clear it. Who is the Kasich camp counting on to clear it, apart from Cruz and Kasich? | Update: it’s not clear that Kasich plan is so solid. Because the 15% threshold ceases to apply if only two candidates clear it. Who is the Kasich camp counting on to clear it, apart from Cruz and Kasich? |
@TeamJohnKasich @ForecasterEnten @NickRiccardi But 15% threshold doesn't apply if only 2 candidates above it: https://t.co/wvilPWseWb | @TeamJohnKasich @ForecasterEnten @NickRiccardi But 15% threshold doesn't apply if only 2 candidates above it: https://t.co/wvilPWseWb |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.47pm GMT | at 6.47pm GMT |
6.33pm GMT | 6.33pm GMT |
18:33 | 18:33 |
Rubio rules out VP run | Rubio rules out VP run |
Florida senator Marco Rubio, who is still a senator for 10 months, has announced on Capitol Hill that he would not join a Republican ticket as anyone’s vice presidential running mate; that “I’m not running for [Florida] governor,” and that he would not run for reelection to the senate, according to various media reports. | Florida senator Marco Rubio, who is still a senator for 10 months, has announced on Capitol Hill that he would not join a Republican ticket as anyone’s vice presidential running mate; that “I’m not running for [Florida] governor,” and that he would not run for reelection to the senate, according to various media reports. |
Rubio tells reporters on Capitol Hill he won't run for reelection to the Senate or for Florida governor. No interest in being veep. | Rubio tells reporters on Capitol Hill he won't run for reelection to the Senate or for Florida governor. No interest in being veep. |
What will he do? | What will he do? |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.36pm GMT | at 6.36pm GMT |
6.21pm GMT | 6.21pm GMT |
18:21 | 18:21 |
You won’t hear us say this much. But. This probably calls for gifs. | You won’t hear us say this much. But. This probably calls for gifs. |
Lindsey Graham, immediately after he endorsed Ted Cruz pic.twitter.com/9Eif7FLgj7 | Lindsey Graham, immediately after he endorsed Ted Cruz pic.twitter.com/9Eif7FLgj7 |
Breaking footage of Cruz accepting Graham's endorsement pic.twitter.com/4bDz94twdi | Breaking footage of Cruz accepting Graham's endorsement pic.twitter.com/4bDz94twdi |
Bernie Sanders reacts to breaking news that Lindsey Graham has thrown support to Ted Cruz. https://t.co/E0gLQwos1Z pic.twitter.com/5n5bMwscF0 | Bernie Sanders reacts to breaking news that Lindsey Graham has thrown support to Ted Cruz. https://t.co/E0gLQwos1Z pic.twitter.com/5n5bMwscF0 |
6.13pm GMT | 6.13pm GMT |
18:13 | 18:13 |
Graham: 'I'm going to help Ted every way I can' | Graham: 'I'm going to help Ted every way I can' |
Here is video of senator Graham telling CNN’s Dana Bash about his decision to back Cruz. | Here is video of senator Graham telling CNN’s Dana Bash about his decision to back Cruz. |
He stops short of calling it an endorsement. “John Kasich I think is the most viable general election candidate, I just don’t see how John gets through the primary,” Graham says. “This is an outsider year, he’s seen as an insider.” | He stops short of calling it an endorsement. “John Kasich I think is the most viable general election candidate, I just don’t see how John gets through the primary,” Graham says. “This is an outsider year, he’s seen as an insider.” |
First on CNN: Lindsey Graham to fundraise for Ted Cruz's presidential bid https://t.co/0OE9FZCjfL via @DanaBashCNN https://t.co/V5kqmKzmHt | First on CNN: Lindsey Graham to fundraise for Ted Cruz's presidential bid https://t.co/0OE9FZCjfL via @DanaBashCNN https://t.co/V5kqmKzmHt |
“I think [Cruz is] the best alternative to Donald Trump, he’s certainly not my preference, senator Cruz is not,” Graham says. “But he’s a reliable Republican conservative, of which I’ve had many differences with. | “I think [Cruz is] the best alternative to Donald Trump, he’s certainly not my preference, senator Cruz is not,” Graham says. “But he’s a reliable Republican conservative, of which I’ve had many differences with. |
“I doubt Donald Trump’s conservatism and I think he’d be a disaster for the party, so I’m going to try to raise money for senator Cruz in the pro-Israel community.” | “I doubt Donald Trump’s conservatism and I think he’d be a disaster for the party, so I’m going to try to raise money for senator Cruz in the pro-Israel community.” |
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is holding its annual policy conference in Washington next week. Graham was to host a fundraiser Monday night. | The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is holding its annual policy conference in Washington next week. Graham was to host a fundraiser Monday night. |
“I think the best alternative to Donald Trump, to stop him from getting to 1,237, is Ted Cruz,” Graham continued. | “I think the best alternative to Donald Trump, to stop him from getting to 1,237, is Ted Cruz,” Graham continued. |
“I’m going to help Ted in every way I can.” | “I’m going to help Ted in every way I can.” |
Asked about his past differences with Cruz, Graham says: | Asked about his past differences with Cruz, Graham says: |
“It tells you a lot about where we are as a party.” | “It tells you a lot about where we are as a party.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 6.17pm GMT | at 6.17pm GMT |
6.06pm GMT | 6.06pm GMT |
18:06 | 18:06 |
Is it any coincidence that just as news breaks of Lindsey Graham’s support for Ted Cruz, a bald eagle hatchling emerged from its shell in Washington, DC? | Is it any coincidence that just as news breaks of Lindsey Graham’s support for Ted Cruz, a bald eagle hatchling emerged from its shell in Washington, DC? |
zomg. GAME ON. get in here. https://t.co/0t6r4I8cwm pic.twitter.com/Q1Gz2sCLsm | zomg. GAME ON. get in here. https://t.co/0t6r4I8cwm pic.twitter.com/Q1Gz2sCLsm |
6.00pm GMT | 6.00pm GMT |
18:00 | 18:00 |
Graham joins Cruz fundraising effort | Graham joins Cruz fundraising effort |
“If you kill Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody could convict you,” Republican senator Lindsey Graham joked at a press club foundation dinner last month. | “If you kill Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody could convict you,” Republican senator Lindsey Graham joked at a press club foundation dinner last month. |
That was then. Graham, heretofore one of Cruz’s most vocal detractors in the senate, now plans to host a fundraiser for Cruz on Monday, CNN reports. | That was then. Graham, heretofore one of Cruz’s most vocal detractors in the senate, now plans to host a fundraiser for Cruz on Monday, CNN reports. |
Actual quote from Lindsey Graham on choosing Trump vs Cruz in January: “It’s like being shot or poisoned. What does it really matter?" | Actual quote from Lindsey Graham on choosing Trump vs Cruz in January: “It’s like being shot or poisoned. What does it really matter?" |
5.53pm GMT | 5.53pm GMT |
17:53 | 17:53 |
Callout to readers / your top election issues | Callout to readers / your top election issues |
By now we know a bit about the presidential candidates, and more about state rules for delegate allocation than we’d care to. | By now we know a bit about the presidential candidates, and more about state rules for delegate allocation than we’d care to. |
But we’re trying to get a read on which issues matter most to you, our readers, this election cycle. It’s plain from your comments that income and wealth inequality, social issues, civil liberties, and US conduct on the international stage are central concerns. | But we’re trying to get a read on which issues matter most to you, our readers, this election cycle. It’s plain from your comments that income and wealth inequality, social issues, civil liberties, and US conduct on the international stage are central concerns. |
But if you have a second we’d like for you to tell us: which election issue matters most to you? | But if you have a second we’d like for you to tell us: which election issue matters most to you? |
Open contributions: Which election issue matters most to you? | Open contributions: Which election issue matters most to you? |
Thanks for taking the time! | Thanks for taking the time! |
4.41pm GMT | 4.41pm GMT |
16:41 | 16:41 |
Ask Al Gore? | Ask Al Gore? |
.@TuckerCarlson: “The man w/ the most delegates is going to be the nominee...Question is what kind if fight will D.C. GOP Party put up?” | .@TuckerCarlson: “The man w/ the most delegates is going to be the nominee...Question is what kind if fight will D.C. GOP Party put up?” |
Question every Trump supporter should answer: Would a plurality of Electoral Votes entitle Hillary to presidency? https://t.co/Kw6CYiQZMy | Question every Trump supporter should answer: Would a plurality of Electoral Votes entitle Hillary to presidency? https://t.co/Kw6CYiQZMy |
4.09pm GMT | 4.09pm GMT |
16:09 | 16:09 |
Half of US women have 'very unfavorable' view of Trump | Half of US women have 'very unfavorable' view of Trump |
Half of US women say they have a “very unfavorable” view of Donald Trump, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, up from the 40% who felt that way in October. The survey was taken from March 1-15, and included 5,400 respondents. Reuters expands: | Half of US women say they have a “very unfavorable” view of Donald Trump, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, up from the 40% who felt that way in October. The survey was taken from March 1-15, and included 5,400 respondents. Reuters expands: |
The rise in anti-Trump sentiment among women could pose a problem for the New York billionaire in his quest for the White House. Women form just over half of the U.S. population, and they have turned out at higher rates than men in every election since 1996, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. | The rise in anti-Trump sentiment among women could pose a problem for the New York billionaire in his quest for the White House. Women form just over half of the U.S. population, and they have turned out at higher rates than men in every election since 1996, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. |
A big general election challenge for Trump – especially, perhaps, if he’s running against Hillary Clinton. Read the full piece here. | A big general election challenge for Trump – especially, perhaps, if he’s running against Hillary Clinton. Read the full piece here. |
3.21pm GMT | 3.21pm GMT |
15:21 | 15:21 |
Here’s a piece to go with the video we posted earlier, with expert advice on how to cope with Trump anxiety. | Here’s a piece to go with the video we posted earlier, with expert advice on how to cope with Trump anxiety. |
A Muslim-American, a woman, an African-American, a journalist and a Mexican-American describe what about Trump concerns them: | A Muslim-American, a woman, an African-American, a journalist and a Mexican-American describe what about Trump concerns them: |
Here's why I'm terrified of Donald Trump https://t.co/kVrjl9DqR9 ... A laundry list of fear complements of The Guardian | Here's why I'm terrified of Donald Trump https://t.co/kVrjl9DqR9 ... A laundry list of fear complements of The Guardian |
Related: Here's why I'm terrified of Donald Trump | Related: Here's why I'm terrified of Donald Trump |