Florida Senator makes up double digits, some cry foul play
Donald Trump supporters think that Microsoft’s involvement in last night’s Iowa’s caucus helped Marco Rubio achieve a third place finish that some are predicting could turn the Florida Senator into the Republican frontrunner.
For many, Rubio’s far better than expected performance was more noteworthy than Ted Cruz’ triumph, leading to suspicions about vote tampering.
“Polling indicated Rubio would be a distant third, trailing by perhaps double digits in the socially conservative state — an afterthought behind the two candidates expected to duke it out for first: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Donald Trump,” reported the Washington Post.
However, soon after Rubio captured 23 per cent of the vote, just one per cent behind Trump, the hashtag #MicrosoftRubioFraud began trending on Twitter, with some Trump supporters adamant that Microsoft, who helped tally the votes via their own app, had been involved in foul play.
Noting that Microsoft is Rubio’s number two campaign contributor, one meme asked the question, “Nice of them to count the votes, wasn’t it?”
@realDonaldTrump should address #MicrosoftRubioFraud pic.twitter.com/bawwZzA1pP
— Universe (@LordPatriot) February 2, 2016
“Members of the 8chan message board (one of the original Gamergate hotbeds) began theorizing earlier on Monday that Microsoft software used for counting votes was going to screw Trump somehow,” writes Noah Kulwin. “And when Trump finished behind Ted Cruz and ahead of Marco Rubio, it stunned many Trump supporters online, who turned this Breitbart article connecting Microsoft and Rubio into an anti-Rubio rallying cry.”
Here’s a sample of the reaction from Trump supporters;
I’m convinced Microsoft (Rubio’s #2 donor & vote tallyer- conflict of interest) gave Trumps votes to Rubio! ELECTION FRAUD! @PrisonPlanet
— Lisa Favara (@lisalicious12) February 2, 2016
Rubio never one time polled more than 12 percent yet he gets 23 percent out of no where. #MicrosoftRubioFraud
— RockPrincess (@Rockprincess818) February 2, 2016
#MicrosoftRubioFraud The GOP establishment is trying to set Rubio up as their man. Microsoft committed voter fraud to give him a boost.
— Matt Forney (@basedmattforney) February 2, 2016
Interesting how @FoxNews is going nuts over a 3rd place finish. Could Iowa have been rigged by the establishment?
— Josh Raymond (@JoshRaymond1611) February 2, 2016
Gop establishment stole Iowa from Buchanan in 1996. History repeating itself?#MicrosoftRubioFraud pic.twitter.com/GcCtIQYCTl
— Like the Roman (@JuvenalisUSA) February 2, 2016
You don’t just somehow triple your poll numbers overnight. This is fraud, plain and simple.#MicrosoftRubioFraud #IowaCaucus
— Chicago Joe (@adudeinaplace) February 2, 2016
#MicrosoftRubioFraud
-Microsoft benefits from H1Bs. Counts vote.
-Microsoft is #2 donor for Rubio.
-Rubio magically gains 10% of votes.— The Man with No Name (@WesternPaladin8) February 2, 2016
#MicrosoftRubioFraud because the last thing the heads at Microsoft want is an end to cheap foreign labor.
— JudenPhysikLügen (@deutsche_physik) February 2, 2016
While many Trump supporters used the hashtag to express their suspicions, it was also hijacked by Democrats to make fun of the entire issue.
Rubio’s surprisingly strong showing has led many establishment voices to predict that he will now emerge as the main challenger to both Trump and Cruz. If Rubio can beat the other “establishment” candidates in New Hampshire, then a three horse race appears likely.