Major Garrett: Cruz Is a ‘Real Threat’ to Donald Trump in Iowa

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

ROSE: “A CBS News poll out this morning finds most Americans oppose Donald Trump’s idea to prevent Muslims to enter the United States. Two-thirds say it goes against the founding principles of this country. Trump is not the only candidate gaining support. Major Garrett is in Washington looks at Trump’s most dangerous republican rival right now. Major, good morning.”
GARRETT: “Good morning. Ted Cruz picked up a big endorsement in Iowa the day after he questioned Donald Trump’s judgment during a private fund-raiser. Cruz is real threat to Trump in Iowa and gaining in our pole nationally what’s more if Trump falters, 26 percent of his supporters by far the largest number in our survey, say they will back Cruz over any other Republican.”
[clip starts]
CRUZ: “Who has the experience and judgment have their finger on the button to be commander-in-chief. “
GARRETT (voice-over): “That is Ted Cruz’s lukewarm public take on Donald Trump’s judgment. Here is what it sounded like during a private fund-raiser where, according to an audiotape obtained by ‘The New York Times,’ Cruz predicted Trump and Ben Carson would fade.”
CRUZ: “I believe that gravity will bring both of those campaigns down...People are looking for who is prepared to be commander-in-chief, who understands the threats we face? Who am I comfortable having their finger on the button?”
UNKNOWN MALE: “I really believe and expect Senator Ted Cruz will be the nominee in 2016.”
GARRETT (voice-over): “In Iowa, Cruz landed the coveted endorsement of  Bob Vander Plaats, who’s backed the last two Iowa GOP winners.”
CARSON: “And this is a message to you.”
GARRETT (voice-over): “Ben Carson appears to be fading. His support has tumbled 13 points since the last CBS News/New York Times poll dropping Carson to third place. Cruz is now second, up 12 points.”
TRUMP: “We just can’t afford any more to be so politically correct.”
GARRETT (voice-over): “As for Trump’s widely condemned proposal to ban Muslims from coming to America, 58 percent of the country opposes it. But according to our latest poll, more than 50 percent of Republicans support the idea.”
KASICH: “I am not convinced that a platform of division and attack will allow us to win.” 
GARRETT (voice-over): “And now even Trump’s GOP rivals are wavering whether they would support him if he was their nominee.”
GRAHAM: “I probably would oversleep. I don’t think that is going to happen, because he is really not a Republican.”
RUBIO: “I believe the Republican nominee will be somebody who can win the general election, and I don’t believe Donald can.”
GARRETT: “Iowa holds its caucuses February 1st. The first of the nation’s primary occurs February 9th. A new poll in New Hampshire this morning shows Trump firmly in the lead with 27 percent. In second place for the first time New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with 12 percent. Christie has doubled his support in New Hampshire in less than a month.”
[clip ends]