Jake Tapper Asks Rubio: 'Are You In Denial?'

Rubio continues to insist he's the only viable alternative to Trump, despite all evidence to the contrary with another poor showing last night. CNN's Jake Tapper was skeptical. With Florida's primary looming (March 15), and Rubio running a distant second, his remaining time in the race is likely short.

Source: USA Today

As Rubio continues to pitch himself as the viable alternative to Trump, CNN anchor Jake Tapper asked him straight-up: Are you in denial about your odds in this race?

"Is it possible that your quarrel is not so much with Donald Trump as it is with Republican primary voters?" Tapper asked Rubio Tuesday night.

No way, said Rubio, who accused Tapper of "mis-analyzing" the results.

Rubio argued that his campaign performed above expectations for the night and looked poised to win Minnesota (as he later did).

Rubio then turned to criticize Trump, railing on him for using immigrant labor on a construction project and for fraud claims around his online university.

Tapper wasn't having it.

“Senator, you keep saying that, and he keeps winning states,” he said.

“And you’re talking about Virginia, and that’s another state that Donald Trump won. And I’m just wondering if there’s a certain amount of denial that you’re in about this race.”

Rubio denied that he was in denial.