Krauthammer: ‘I’m Not Yet Impressed by the Substance of the Difference’ Between Cruz and Rubio

MCKELWAY: “One thing that’s self-evident here is that Senator Marco Rubio can also read the poll numbers. And if you look at the latest Quinnipiac poll in Iowa, look how Cruz has absolutely jumped, Trump at 25 percent still in the lead. But Cruz now only 2 points behind with Carson at 18 and Rubio at 13. The next closest is Paul in single digits. He has got to fight back. Rubio does.”

KRAUTHAMMER: “Well, it seems — what’s most interesting, I think in this exchange, is how narrow their actual differences are on policy. After all they — two of them are pretty hard line on data collection, except that one said that we should hold the data. The tougher position is the government holds it the weaker one, I suppose is that the companies hold it. It isn’t a great difference. Yes, it’s some, but it’s usually exaggerated. It’s not going to be the end of the world either way. And the country is trying to find sort of a reasonable compromise between security and privacy. So you draw the line here or there. But it’s hardly, you know, that the fate of the world hangs on this. On the other hand, with Cruz’s accusation about the ‘Gang of Eight’ as I understanding the Cruz’s position, his ideas of path to legalization, whereas Rubio was flirting with citizenship. That’s a difference, yes. But it’s something that would happen in 15 or 20 years out. And is not exactly huge difference on the idea of allowing them to stay, unlike a Trump who would kick them out. So, it’s — they have to exaggerate the difference because they are pretty close together, same age, first term senators, Cuban American, a silver tongued. And they are fighting it out for the entry into the finals that will be one of them. So, they have to exaggerate. But I’m not yet impressed by the substance of the difference.”