Tuesday News: Marco Rubio is a “Fringe Crank” Attacking the Wrong Opponent; Ted Cruz Needs to Fire Himself

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, February 23.

• GOP mainstream flocks to Rubio as last hope against Trump
• New study finds that seas are rising faster than they have in 2,800 years
• What The Media Should Know About Trump’s “Political Kitchen Cabinet” (“Various members of this ‘political kitchen cabinet’ have launched sexist attacks against Hillary Clinton, claimed Obama does not love America, and denied the science of climate change.”)
• Rubio Is Attacking the Wrong Opponent (“While he wastes his energy going after Ted Cruz, Donald Trump is waltzing toward the nomination.”)
• Hoping to end charges of ‘dirty tricks,’ Cruz fires spokesman (The problem is YOU, Ted!)
• Donald Trump Has Clinched Nothing (“Trump’s South Carolina–New Hampshire double is being touted as a sure sign he’ll win the nomination. It’s not.”)
• Majorities of Republicans haven’t voted for Trump. But they may get him anyway.
• GOP wakes up to Trump nightmare (“Top party leaders fear it may be too late to stop him.”)
• Krugman: Cranks on Top (“But what I do know is that one shouldn’t treat establishment support as an indication that Mr. Rubio is moderate and sensible. On the contrary, not long ago someone holding his policy views would have been considered a fringe crank.” Bingo.)
• Majority of Public Wants Senate to Act on Obama’s Court Nominee (For the gazillionth time, Republicans are not in tune with the majority of Americans.)
• Who’s leading a voter revolution? Hint: It’s not Bernie Sanders. (Ha, I was just chatting with a friend yesterday about an almost identical possible title for a Blue Virginia blog post! But yeah, Sanders’ “revolution” isn’t happening, at least not when it comes to voter turnout in the 2016 Dem primaries/caucuses vs. the 2008 Dem primaries/caucuses.)
• Bernie Sanders has a turnout problem: Young people can lead a movement, but they rarely send candidates to victory
• Donald Trump’s intolerable cruelty (“He’s a rich man who’s always had it easy; his lack of empathy makes him dangerous.” A rich man who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple, too.)
• Republican leaders’ silence on Trump is inexcusable — and irrational (And disgusting. But not surprising from this party.)
• Republican candidate Kasich’s ‘kitchen’ comment draws scorn
• Editorial: Redistricting reform, it’s time for change
• Kasich seeks support at VCU town hall
• Trial begins on lawsuit challenging Virginia voter ID law
• Kilgore family backs Marco Rubio in Virginia (“Former Jeb Bush supporters endorse the Florida senator, citing Rubio’s support for coal as one reason” Support for coal, of course, means killing our planet’s environment. Crazy.)
• Gun bills head to McAuliffe’s desk (“The deal that Virginia’s Democratic governor struck with NRA allies still rankles gun-control activists.”)
• Senate panel advances bill to require reporting of officer-involved shootings
• Push to regulate Airbnb could stall as Norment seeks delay
• Fredericksburg a likely stop for presidential candidates, Sen. Tim Kaine tells UMW students
• General Assembly Notebook: House subcommittee rejects underage prostitution bill (“A bill aiming to help underage victims of prostitution get support services rather than face prosecution was shelved by a House of Delegates subcommittee Monday.”)
• Our view: How Rubio could win Virginia
• As Super Tuesday approaches, presidential hopefuls set to pay Hampton Roads a visit
• Roanoke’s David Bowers says he won’t challenge Morgan Griffith
• Portsmouth Sen. Lucas fails in effort to legalize marijuana derivatives for treating cancer
• Virginia Beach has spent $1 million pursuing light rail so far
• About 20 geese cleaned after oil spill in Potomac, released back to the river (And still no word from Arlington County about this!)
• Angry council meeting in Alexandria exposes rift over preservation, density(“Tensions rise over whether to allow housing agency to build bigger, more economically viable projects.”)
• Chilly showers today, heavier rain and warmer highs tomorrow