Fiorina Endorses Cruz At Miami Dade College Rally
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Coming off a second place finishes in the Hawaii and Michigan primaries, Senator Ted Cruz has turned his attention to the Sunshine State.
On Wednesday, one day before the GOP debate at University of Miami's Bank United Center, Cruz hosted a "Cruz to Victory" rally at Miami Dade College's Chapman Conference Center.
"Conservatives are uniting with us and as this race continues to narrow to two man race, head to head Donald trump loses," Cruz told the cheering crowd.
Cruz touched on getting back to constitutional fundamentals, a flat tax proposal, limited government and a healthcare overhaul.
"In 2017 were going to repeal obamacare," said Cruz.
A surprise visitor made an appearance to support Cruz - his former rival Carly Fiorina.
"I say to you it is time. It is time to take our party back," said Fiorina. "It is time to take our government back. It is time to take our country back and so it is time now to unite behind the one man who can beat Donald Trump, who can beat Hillary Clinton, who can beat the D.C. cartel."
Fiorina went on to compare GOP front-runner Donald Trump to Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.
"The truth is that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are two sides of the same coin. They aren't going to reform the system. They are the system," said Fiorina.
South Florida Cruz supporters are hoping the Republican Party unites to help the senator take the Sunshine State and the White House.
"I think if the other people like Rubio and Kasich drop out it would make it a true two man race which it is anyway," said Robert Makovicka. "Ted would definitely win by huge margins."
"He's consistent, he's conservative, he's always done what he said and supported the things he claimed he would do," said Bethany Xiques.
While they may not be able to beat Trump in Florida, the Cruz camp is looking for a good showing. Also looking for a good showing is Senator Marco Rubio.
Rubio and his GOP opponents know a loss next Tuesday in Florida would force him out of the 2016 contest. A new Quinnipiac University poll doesn't bode well.
Florida is a winner take all primary with 99 delegates up for grabs.
While he is a distant third in most polls, Cruz's campaign opened 10 Florida offices last week and boasts more than 10,000 volunteers in the state.
"The best thing Marco Rubio can do right now is pull out before Tuesday," Rebecca Hagelin, the national co-chair of Women for Cruz. "He's not going to win anyway, which is going to be devastating to his career."
Rubio has embraced the challenge.
Wednesday night he plans to rally home state supporters in Hialeah before Thursday's CNN GOP Debate at the University of Miami's Bank United Center. Rubio's rally will be held at Milander Stadium at 4800 Palm Avenue; doors open at 4 p.m.
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