Thursday, 12 November 202612 Nov 2026 Washington, D.C. 10:08:24 AM London 3:08:24 PM
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Thursday, November 12, 2026

Has the “Rubio Moment” Given Way to the “Cruz Moment”?

Rubio_CruzNot much more than a month ago on the CNBC Republican Debate stage, millions watched Jeb Bush giftwrap for his former protégé the now-legendary “Rubio Moment,” that time when two campaigns heading in opposite directions passed like ships in the political night. Bush’s flaccid single-digit campaign had stagnated. Rubio, following impressive debate showings, had risen above the salt to a top four position, occupying a seat Jeb had reserved for himself near the head of the table.  Combined with polling that showed a significant amount of Bush supporters favored Rubio as a second choice, the Bush campaign needed to do something.[...]