Rubio claims renewed momentum after N.H. setback

EASLEY, S.C. — Marco Rubio and his backers believe — and hope — his debate problem is behind him.

The Florida senator did a string of television interviews Sunday before appearing in a packed high school theater here, claiming his campaign is back on track in the wake of Saturday night's brawl of a debate in South Carolina.

"I do feel great about our momentum," Rubio said after a man asked him about the debate (and cited an overnight CBS poll that said the Florida senator won the showdown with five GOP rivals).

Quite a difference from a week ago, as Rubio faced harsh reviews for his performance in a Feb. 6 showdown in New Hampshire — a big speed bump that Rubio himself blamed for his fifth-place finish in Granite State primary on Tuesday.

He is trying to regain the mojo that led to a stronger-than-expected third-place finish in Iowa two weeks ago, but he has a lot of ground to make up in South Carolina, if polls are right. A CBS News Battleground Tracker poll Sunday put Rubio in third place in South Carolina at 15%, well behind Donald Trump (42%) and Ted Cruz (20%).

As he did during Saturday night's debate in Greenville, Rubio continues to face criticism from Cruz over his work with Democrats on a failed immigration bill. Trump and Jeb Bush have also criticized the first-term senator over his lack of experience, an issue that also surfaced in New Hampshire.

During his ill-fated debate in Manchester, Rubio struggled with criticism from then-opponent Chris Christie. The New Jersey governor, who has since withdrawn from the race, mocked Rubio for his tendency to repeat the exact same talking points in his public remarks.

At his appearance at the high school in Easley, a town of just over 20,000 in northwest South Carolina near Clemson, Rubio made his standard case against Obama administration economic and foreign policies. Citing the vicious attacks during the South Carolina debate — "the screaming, the bickering, and the anger back and forth" — Rubio repeated his argument that he is the best bet to bring the party together after a nominee is chosen.

Responding to the man who asked him about the debates, Rubio said he plans to remain faithful and do the best he can. "God's in control of everything," he said.

Voters at the event said Rubio helped himself in the debate. Lisa Littleton, 52, a mother from Easley, said she had been torn between Rubio and Cruz, but now backs the Floridian in part because he avoided the "bickering" that marked the debate. Saying Rubio has a good chance in South Carolina, Littleton said: "It's a conservative state with values -- there are a lot of Christians in this state."

Rubio needs at least a strong finish in South Carolina to maintain his overall goal — be the last candidate standing between Trump and the Republican presidential nomination. At that point, Rubio and aides figure, most Republican voters will flock to his banner in contrast to the maverick Trump.

In a joking reference to his debate problem in New Hampshire, Rubio trotted out an old laugh line when he talked about a campaign book he has authored — "now available in paperback."

As the crowd in Easley chuckled, Rubio said he likes to repeat the line because it works. "If something works," he said, "you should keep saying it over and over again, right?"