Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Wednesday that Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida might be holding back some of his attacks on him because Mr. Trump has a “very unblemished track record” as a counter-puncher.
“Well, maybe because 14 people went after me and 14 people are now officially gone,” Mr. Trump said Wednesday on NBC’s “Today” program. “So I don’t know. I mean, I seem to have a very good track record when they do go after me, but he’s been very nice and I think I’ve been respectful to him, and we’ll see what happens.”
Mr. Trump cruised to victory Tuesday in the Nevada caucuses, with Mr. Rubio on track to finish in a distant second place.
The billionaire businessman said it could always change.
“It’s changed on a number of occasions. I mean, other people have been that way and we go at it, and so far I’ve got a very unblemished track record and maybe he looks at that and I’m not sure — you’ll have to ask him that question,” Mr. Trump said.
Appearing on “Fox and Friends” Wednesday, Mr. Rubio disputed the notion that he hasn’t gone after Mr. Trump.
“We have gone at Donald Trump, but when it’s been on policy,” he said. “Look, at the last debate Donald Trump said George W. Bush was responsible for 9/11, and I took him on on that issue.”
“But here’s what I don’t understand: I know that everybody is dying to see Republicans tear each other up because it makes for great coverage. … Everybody in the press wants to see a food fight because it’s great content,” Mr. Rubio said. “I’m not in this race to beat up on other Republicans. If I’m attacked, I’m going to set the record straight.”
“If there’s a policy difference, we’re going to talk about those,” he said. “But I’m not in this to beat up on Republicans and call Republicans names. I want us to win this election.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.