In the latest proposed gambit to take down GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump, Rep. Trent Franks of Arizona is calling on either Sen. Marco Rubio or Sen. Ted Cruz to drop out of the 2016 race and team up with the other candidate on a joint ticket.
Mr. Franks, Arizona Republican, says it’s approaching the point in the nomination contest where it might soon be too late to stop Mr. Trump.
“We really have a mathematical issue here, rather than a political one,” Mr. Franks said Thursday on CNN. “And I pray that both of these candidates will consider the alternative and the fact that the window’s closing.”
Mr. Trump has reeled off three consecutive wins, in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, and appears poised for a strong performance on Super Tuesday.
Mr. Franks said he is not suggesting which one of the two candidates should be on the top of the ticket.
“But they have to do that — otherwise, both of them, unfortunately, I’m afraid will be not on the ticket at all,” Mr. Franks said. “It’s just simply a mathematical issue.”
Such a move appears unlikely. Mr. Rubio batted away the notion of an alliance with Mr. Cruz on Wednesday. And Mr. Cruz also said, according to The Associated Press, that he is “curious how many reporters ask Marco Rubio, ’After losing four states in a row, so when do you drop out?’ “
Mr. Franks said he would leave it to the candidates to work out the logistics.
“If it comes down to flipping a coin, then flip a coin, for the sake of the future, because otherwise the alternative is pretty clear,” he said.
Mr. Franks said he’s heard from at least one of the campaigns about his proposal but declined to go into details.
“I believe that [Trump] represents a danger, strong danger, of us electing Hillary Clinton for president, and for the sake of my children, and for the sake of the future of this country, I must do what I can, and I pray these men look at the numbers and look at reality and do the statesmanlike thing to do what’s necessary to see that this republic continues for future generations,” he said.
Asked about Mr. Franks’ proposal, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told the network that adding Ohio Gov. John Kasich to the mix would make for a stronger ticket.
“Well, consolidation of the field — Kasich-Rubio would be the most winning ticket, I think,” said Mr. Graham, a one-time 2016 GOP presidential contender. “Rubio-Kasich would be second. If Cruz joined up with Rubio or Kasich, that’d be problematic but would probably work.”
“The one thing that’s going to happen if you don’t do something like Trent suggested is that Trump’s going to win the Republican nomination,” Mr. Graham said. “He’s going to get creamed in the general election.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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