Ted Cruz Jokingly Proposes Duck Dynasty Star For U.N. Ambassador – Other 2016 Campaign Updates

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — The Latest on campaign 2016 ahead of Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary and Nevada Democratic caucuses (all times local): 10:15 a.m. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio has landed himself in a tight spot in South Carolina when confronted with the politics of sports. Rubio told a crowd of University of South Carolina sports fans Friday that he would be conflicted on Saturday, when the state's Gamecocks play the University of Florida Gators. University of South Carolina men's basketball coach Frank Martin spoke at a Friday rally in Columbia, talking up his similarities with the presidential hopeful, including his Cuban heritage. After a fan shouted, "Go Gamecocks!" Martin suggested that Rubio follow "your heart and the voters of South Carolina." Rubio has a total of five stops on his statewide fly-around South Carolina ahead of its GOP primary on Saturday.

10:10 a.m. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is jokingly proposing Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson for a top diplomatic post. "Imagine just for a moment: Phil Robertson, ambassador to the United Nations," the Texas senator said at a Friday morning rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. "How much would you pay to see the Russian ambassador's face when Phil says: 'What is wrong with you people?" Cruz is campaigning Friday with the bearded reality television star on the eve of the South Carolina Republican presidential primary. Robertson is a cult hero among social conservatives for his unvarnished critiques of modern, secular society. Speaking ahead of Cruz, Robertson urged voters to "rise up as the sons and daughters of God" and put "a staunch, Bible-belieiving, Jesus-loving, Godly man" in the White House.

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