Knives already drawn https://t.co/0ZHGbPj0gO — Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) May 8, 2016

CNN’s Jake Tapper is reporting this morning that Ted Cruz blames Marco Rubio’s refusal to create a unity ticket and run as the V.P. for why Cruz wasn’t able to win the nomination against Donald Trump.

.@jaketapper reports that @TedCruz wanted @MarcoRubio as VP to defeat Trump – but was denied by the Florida senator. #CNNSotu — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 8, 2016

A source familiar w/ Rubio's thinking says there was never a firm Cruz offer on table but even so, Rubio thought it was a bad idea. #CNNSotu — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 8, 2016

Cruz campaign: We could have stopped Trump if Rubio became running matehttps://t.co/WWtY7imbYS — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 8, 2016

According to polling allegedly done by the Cruz campaign, a Cruz/Rubio ticket would’ve been a “blowout.” From CNN:

The Cruz campaign polled in three March 15 primary states, Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina — though not in Ohio, home to Kasich, or in Florida. They also tested the matchup in a poll in Arizona, which would hold its contest on March 22, and in Wisconsin, which would hold its primary on April 5. What did polls suggest a Cruz-Rubio ticket would do in those states? “Blowout,” said a source close to Cruz. “65%-35%,” with Trump losing. Through friends and emissaries, the Cruz campaign tried to get Rubio on board.

But Cruz could not reach him on the phone, and others reported back to the Cruz campaign that Rubio did not seem interested in having a discussion about this at all.

Carly Fiorina couldn’t be reached for comment we gather:

I see the #blameRubio derangement syndrome lives on. Way to throw Carly under the bus there, guys. https://t.co/CeE4zbTf3m — Ashley (@Ashley67311506) May 8, 2016

Keep in mind, at that time Cruz and Rubio weren’t exactly pals:

"We are willing to sacrifice Florida to Trump to get Rubio out of the race" – Cruz campaign ~March 10 https://t.co/rr3NvNTDsv — Marcus Hawkins (@HawkinsUSA) May 8, 2016

Everyone is to blame except Ted Cruz, right?

Actually, you probably could have stopped Trump if you weren't his best friend for the first few months https://t.co/zsnK9D10vw — Felicia *TRIGGER* (@Capit0lism_) May 8, 2016

They could have stopped Trump if they had a better message & campaign https://t.co/1uj0K0sBDE — Jan Ness (@momness1) May 8, 2016

Cruz folks blaming other people for his failures to deliver? They just can't help themselves. https://t.co/rjgN72ywEx — Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) May 8, 2016

For being such a nobody, Rubio sure seems to be really important. Trump camp lying about VP talks, Cruz campaign blaming him. — Kyle Foley (@KFoleyFL) May 8, 2016

You know who's fault it is that Cruz got destroyed? Cruz. Not Rubio's, not Rubio's supporters. — Kyle Foley (@KFoleyFL) May 8, 2016

Exactly. Ted Cruz needs to start taking some responsibility for what went down. Remember this?

The Establishment's only hope: Trump & me in a cage match. Sorry to disappoint — @realDonaldTrump is terrific. #DealWithIt — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 11, 2015

#DealWithIt.

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