MARCO WINS THE GOP DEBATE IN GREENVILLE!

It's about to begin. Expecting a big night for @marcorubio! pic.twitter.com/klio1NUKRM

— Buzz Jacobs (@BuzzJacobs) February 14, 2016

Marco just paid tribute to Justice Scalia, and laid out the kind of justices he would want to appoint as POTUS: scholars who interpret the Constitution according to how it was originally written, not the fads of the moment.

Marco Rubio only candidate on stage to cross himself in moment of silence for late Justice Antonin Scalia

— Patricia Mazzei (@PatriciaMazzei) February 14, 2016

Rubio speaking forcefully. Cites two SCOTUS dissents by Scalia. Notes 80 yrs since last lame duck apptment.#GOPDebate

— Andy Smarick (@smarick) February 14, 2016

Rubio nails it. #GOPDebate

— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) February 14, 2016

Rubio came to play tonight

— Jeff Cox (@JeffCoxCNBCcom) February 14, 2016

Rubio is back in role as most learned, studied person on stage.

— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) February 14, 2016

Rubio praises Scalia for dissent on Obergefell, SCOTUS ruling for same-sex marriage

— Betsy Woodruff (@woodruffbets) February 14, 2016

"The constitution isn't to be interpreted by the fads of the time, it's to be interpreted by it's original meaning." -Marco Rubio 🔥🔥

— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) February 14, 2016

Bravo, Rubio. #GOPDebate

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) February 14, 2016

Rubio's using the moment brilliantly. Much more effective than Kasich or Trump.

— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 14, 2016

Rubio best tribute thus far of Scalia. Says Obama shouldn't get this pick and gives precedent why.

— Duane Patterson (@Radioblogger) February 14, 2016

First big applause of the night goes to @MarcoRubio slamming lame-duck SCOTUS appointments.#GOPDebate

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) February 14, 2016

Well @marcorubio opened very strong

— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) February 14, 2016

Click here to watch Marco's tribute to Justice Antonin Scalia.

.@MarcoRubio is currently wearing a dual South Carolina/American flag pin given to him by Trey Gowdy.

— Lauren Selsky (@LJSelsky) February 14, 2016

Rubio doing really good out of the gate.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 14, 2016

When asked about what threats he'd confront first as President, Marco laid out three key foreign policy issues:

Rubio: What are we doing in Pacific, Middle East, rebuilding NATO.#Boom#GOPDebate

— Andy Smarick (@smarick) February 14, 2016

Rubio showing that he can answer in depth on the fly. That was not a prepared remark. #GOPdebate

— Jamie Weinstein (@Jamie_Weinstein) February 14, 2016

Marco Rubio showing his knowledge of foreign policy. A big advantage for him.

— Max Boot (@MaxBoot) February 14, 2016

Hard to imagine a more comprehensive one-minute answer than the one Rubio just gave on national security threats. #GOPdebate

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) February 14, 2016

Rubio handles foreign policy questions better than anyone else onstage & it's really not even close. Substance is spot-on, tone is flawless.

— Jeff B/DDHQ (@EsotericCD) February 14, 2016

@MarcoRubio delivering strong responses on national security. #GOPDebate

— Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) February 14, 2016

What was good about @marcorubio answer on Syria is that it was thoughtful, nuanced and reflective of the complexities of the situation.

— Jonathan Allen (@jonallendc) February 14, 2016

.@MarcoRubio just gave the perfect foreign policy response: 3 specific questions, 3 specific regions, 3 specific details.#GOPDebate

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) February 14, 2016

Click here to watch Marco explaining the three threats he'd address on Day One as POTUS. Also, read more about his plans for China, ISIS, and Russia.

Cruz was completely non-responsive to excellent question about Kurds.

— Ryan Lizza (@RyanLizza) February 14, 2016

The moderators pushed Marco tonight about why he opposed President Obama's one-time plan to strike against Assad. Marco explained exactly why the president's plan was everything that's wrong with Obama-Clinton foreign policy. Click here to watch it.

Rubio just verbally slapped Trump. “I’m glad it was GWB in the WH on 9/11 and not Al Gore.” #GOPDebate

— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 14, 2016

Oh snap, Rubio comes in and cleans up. And Trump is insane enough to talk about 9/11 again.

— JWF (@JammieWF) February 14, 2016

.@marcorubio defends George W. Bush better than @JebBush #GOPDebate

— Eli Lake (@EliLake) February 14, 2016

Rubio somehow emerged as the defender of George W. Bush there. Which is weird because Jeb Bush was on stage.

— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) February 14, 2016

The first segment of the debate - on foreign policy - was a clear victory for Marco Rubio!

First 40 mins:
1. Rubio
2. Jeb!
3. Cruz
4. Trump
5. Kasich
600. Ben Carson

Agree? Disagree?

— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) February 14, 2016

Rubio won that first segment. Cruz did well but didn't assert himself enough. Bush did pretty well. Trump was ... Trump.

— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 14, 2016

Rubio was far and away the best in that first segment, even defended W. better than his brother did. Still amazed at trump attack on W.

— Duane Patterson (@Radioblogger) February 14, 2016

Moderator Kimberly Strassel of the Wall Street Journal just asked Marco why his tax plan includes a new tax credit for families.

#GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/qpWnX6h8Cz

— Moira Fitzgerald ن (@Moira1987) February 14, 2016

Good question, good answer on child tax credit. "It's their money."

— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) February 14, 2016

Smart Rubio answer on child tax credit. that'll play well in SC

— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 14, 2016

Thank you @marcorubio for highlighting tax code's bias against investment in human capital.

— Matthew Continetti (@continetti) February 14, 2016

Good, tough Q from @KimStrassel to Rubio on tax credits. And v good answer from Rubio: "This is their money." Pivots to family.#GOPDebate

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) February 14, 2016

That answer by Rubio defending the child tax credit may be the strongest answer he's had in any debate.

— Neil Irwin (@Neil_Irwin) February 14, 2016

.@marcorubio: "I'm going to have a tax plan that is pro-family."

— Emma Thomson (@EmmaThsn) February 14, 2016

Rubio making his campaign about family. Smart on his part. And good answers on the tax issue.

— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) February 14, 2016

Click here to watch Marco explain why his pro-growth tax plan is a big tax cut for families.

.@TedCruz aka VATman #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/U54NkI7eoG

— Moira Fitzgerald ن (@Moira1987) February 14, 2016

Btw, Rubio’s top rate of 35 that's too high for Strassel? Only 5 of last 80 years has it been lower.

— Ramesh Ponnuru (@RameshPonnuru) February 14, 2016

Jeb & Kasich arguing about Medicare and Medicaid and literally entire rest of the planet is stepping out for a cigarette, even non-smokers.

— Jeff B/DDHQ (@EsotericCD) February 14, 2016

Marco Rubio's pro-family values is the reason why I chose him as my candidate tbh

— Catholic Classy (@CatholicClassy) February 14, 2016

@CatholicClassy I love seeing a Catholic politician be an actual Catholic. So refreshing.

— Katie (@CoffeeNotChai) February 14, 2016

Marco and Ted Cruz just clashed over the issue of immigration -- and Marco laid out why Cruz has been so calculated and dishonest on the issue.

Rubio back on his game tonight.

— Alex Leary (@learyreports) February 14, 2016

That's the @marcorubio who was rising ten days ago.

— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) February 14, 2016

Marco Rubio just told the truth about the fraud that Cruz is. Well done.

— Nick Ryan (@NicholasTRyan) February 14, 2016

Rubio HAS BROUGHT IT tonight. #GOPDebate

— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) February 14, 2016

Ted is mad; Marco is calm.

— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 14, 2016

Yes. @marcorubio owning @tedcruz tonight!!!

— Terry Sullivan (@OnBackground) February 14, 2016

Rubio just lived my dream and put Ted Cruz in his place in front of a national audience. #GOPDebate

— Heath Mayo (@HeathMayo) February 14, 2016

Rubio > Cruz on that immigration debate

— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) February 14, 2016

Damn, I gotta hand it to Rubio, he really does know how to attack Cruz where it hurts.

— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) February 14, 2016

#GOPDebate #phonytedcruz pic.twitter.com/6TYC6ikSxn

— Moira Fitzgerald ن (@Moira1987) February 14, 2016

.@tedcruz In April 2013: There "Could Be A Compromise" On 11 Million Illegal Immigrants In Country #GOPDebate https://t.co/PEoV1oiSbJ

— Moira Fitzgerald ن (@Moira1987) February 14, 2016

Take Cruz off his dramatic, memorized mini speeches & he's a literal joke as a debater. Rubio can THINK on his feet. #GOPDebate

— Chidike Okeem (@VOICEOFCHID) February 14, 2016

Click here to watch Marco correct Ted Cruz's lies about immigration. Then get the facts about Teddy's pattern of calculated immigration flip-flops.

After 80 minutes:

1. Rubio
2. Jeb!
3. Trump
4. Cruz
5. Kasich
6,000. Ben Carson

— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) February 14, 2016

Rubio ranks fifth of six in total speaking time so far. But has made best use of limited time.

— Taylor Batten (@tbatten1) February 14, 2016

Rubio is hands down the best tonight.

— Matthew (@Matthops82) February 14, 2016

A great moment from Marco: While other candidates were ignoring a question about how Republicans will help poverty, Marco came through with an articulate explanation of one of his conservative, 21st Century solutions:

Rubio rising above. #GOPDebate

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) February 14, 2016

.@marcorubio: "I think @nikkihaley will do a better job ending poverty than @BarackObama." #GOPDebate

— Moira Fitzgerald ن (@Moira1987) February 14, 2016

Rubio turns it back to issue of poverty. @SpeakerRyan, @SenatorTimScott & @arthurbrooks have pushed GOP to tackle this important issue.

— AshLee Strong (@AshLeeStrong) February 14, 2016

"Poverty is free enterprise not reaching people." Marco Rubio actually understands poverty because his family climbed out of it. #GOPDebate

— Cabot Phillips (@cabot_phillips) February 14, 2016

Thank you @marcorubio for choosing to talk about poverty instead of joining in the bashing going on

— Laurie Klein (@KleinLG) February 14, 2016

It may get lost in the Trumpalooza, but when the moderator essentially gave Rubio an open mic, he chose to talk about poverty. #GOPDebate

— Mike I. (@MikeInganamort) February 14, 2016

If you became president and could ask a past president a particular question, what would you ask?

That's the question that was just put to Marco, and he gave a fascinating answer: He'd ask Reagan how he managed to make a country facing such tough times believe in the promise of America again.

Rubio was Reaganing ...hard ... on that question. It's a beautiful thing for a Republican candidate

— James Pethokoukis (@JimPethokoukis) February 14, 2016

Rubio asked what smart question he'd ask a previous president, says he'd ask Ronald Reagan: "how did you inspire the American ppl." Yep.

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) February 14, 2016

Marco Rubio you are the Reagan of our time, and boy do we need you. #GOPDebate

— Annie369 (@anni369_mhh) February 14, 2016

Rubio pointing out what made Reagan great and how he turned the country around from disaster of Carter. Knows what we need now. #GOPDebate

— AG (@AG_Conservative) February 14, 2016

That question was designed to test Rubio on his feet, and he passed with flying colors. #GOPDebate

— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) February 14, 2016

Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy high-fiving @marcorubio during the break. South Carolina's finest love #TeamMarco!

— Anna Rogers Duncan (@rogersanna) February 14, 2016

.@MarcoRubio's answer about being inspired by Reagan has us all like... pic.twitter.com/S0hp9E2zb4

— Nate Brand (@NateRBrand) February 14, 2016

Of the remaining candidates, Rubio is actually the closest to Ronald Reagan ideologically. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/6eR5cu1fY4

— Crowdpac (@Crowdpac) February 14, 2016

Click here to watch Marco's impromptu answer about what he'd ask President Reagan.

@marcorubio positive, substantive, aspirational in a conservative way! Unlike anyone else on stage. #GOPdebate

— Mark Baker (@MBAKER30) February 14, 2016

Click here to watch Marco's closing statement tonight - capping off a stunning, well-received debate performance.

The reviews are rolling in and...Marco won!

My #GOPDebate order:

Gold: @marcorubio
Silver: @JebBush
Bronze: @JohnKasich
4th: @tedcruz
5th: @realDonaldTrump
6th @RealBenCarson

— Don McDowell (@DonMcDowell) February 14, 2016

RUBIO JUST CRUSHED IT. #GOPDebate.

— vbspurs (@vbspurs) February 14, 2016

Marco Rubio with a strong closing statement.

— Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) February 14, 2016

Rubio's closing was excellent, spanning a number of subjects and heartfelt

— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) February 14, 2016

Strong debate for Rubio nearly all around, but I really liked his closing. #GOPDebate

— Aaron Gardner (@Aaron_RS) February 14, 2016

@candacecbure I just love the guy and what he stands for! He is unafraid to stand up for his faith! :)

— Rachelle (@Shelly__Marie) February 14, 2016

Marco Rubio clearly got the best of that debate. Bush did well, and Cruz too. Kasich OK. Will Trump's 9/11 rant do damage w/SC GOP voters?

— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) February 14, 2016

GOP debate rankings:
1. Rubio - big comeback
2. Jeb - good shots on Trump
3. Cruz - highs and lows
4. Kasish - unscathed
5. Trump - yiiiikes

— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) February 14, 2016

I think @marcorubio won tonight. #GOPDebate

— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) February 14, 2016

Ranked follower growth for all candidates in #GOPDebate:

1. @RealDonaldTrump
2. @MarcoRubio
3. @JohnKasich
4. @HillaryClinton
5. @TedCruz

— Twitter Government (@gov) February 14, 2016

Trump: F #nothingmatters
Cruz: C
Rubio: A
Carson: Go Away.
Kasich: OH GOD NO NOT JOHN KASICH DAMMIT A
Jeb: Bhttps://t.co/m1k5zv9V77

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 14, 2016

.@EWErickson: Marco Rubio rose to the occasion tonight. https://t.co/UqFtOORMW9

— Valerie Mack (@Val_Mack) February 14, 2016

While @marcorubio was on the #GOPDebate stage articulating his vision like an adult, @ChrisChristie was at home watching on his couch.

— Thoughts N. Views (@Thoughtsnviews) February 14, 2016

Rubio does this cool thing where he manages to acknowledge problems but also present a positive vision for the future.
Cruz can't sell that.

— Neal Dewing (@Neal_Dewing) February 14, 2016

Ted Cruz lost fights with both Donald Trump and Marco Rubio tonight https://t.co/XzG8GN97bm

— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) February 14, 2016

Florida is proud of you @marcorubio. Tonight the nation saw what we know. #Marcomentum

— Milkshakes Anytime (@MomMilkshake) February 14, 2016

#Rubio: A. Did exactly what he had to do. Quick on his feet, best on #Scalia, defended #Bush43 in state that admires him #GOPDebates

— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) February 14, 2016

Trey Gowdy & Tim Scott have easiest jobs in the spin room tonight representing @TeamMarco!! pic.twitter.com/pGnk2Coio0

— Alex Conant (@AlexConant) February 14, 2016

.@TGowdySC & @SenatorTimScott praising @marcorubio 's debate performance tonight. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/40J0Yx0iVl

— Meg Kinnard (@MegKinnardAP) February 14, 2016