A humble primary proposal

What will you do, Ted or Marco? The nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

Today looks to be a big day for Donald Trump, but afterward a majority of Republicans will still have time to find an alternative—if there is one alternative. Ben Carson and John Kasich clearly will not be that person, but Ted Cruz or Marco Rubio still have ambition and financial ammunition, so here’s the hard question: Will one of them make a self-sacrificing choice that might help America (and will position themselves well for the long run)?

What if the second place finisher tonight stays in, and whoever is third drops out? That person will gain the gratitude of many Republicans and will have a leg up in future presidential races. The candidates might argue about what second and third place mean with so many different primaries, but let’s hope for clarity. Cruz and Rubio are both in their mid-40s, with lots of time to gain more experience and run again.

Some will say Cruz and Rubio have principle-based differences. They do, particularly on immigration, but—like the Rio Grande in many spots—that difference can be forded. Their foreign policy and domestic agendas are pretty close. Both are likely to be reliable vetters of Supreme Court prospects and vigorous defenders of religious liberty. Their Cuban DNA helps them understand the threat of totalitarian regimes.

Cruz supporters will say he’s more reliable, but Rubio would be the most conservative “establishment” candidate since Calvin Coolidge. Rubio supporters will say he’s more electable, but Cruz’s outsider anger might play better this year. Donald Trump is likely to gain pluralities but not majorities in just about all of today’s primaries and caucuses. Maybe he’d win a one-to-one contest with a conservative, maybe not. Wouldn’t it be good to find out?