Marco Rubio has officially dropped out of the presidential race tonight after being soundly defeated by Donald Trump in Florida, Rubio’s home state.

And he did so with grace, class, and an inspiring speech. He closed by demonstrating his deep religious faith as well.

https://youtu.be/Dd2ylCze2gY

The dignity of Rubio in defeat and the power of the speech was noticed by others in the media.

This is a damn good speech by Rubio as he suspends

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) March 16, 2016

Rubio, in defeat, giving a speech that shows why he made Democrats nervous.

— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) March 16, 2016

"Do not give into the fear. Do not give into the frustration."
Marco Rubio

Exactly right

— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) March 16, 2016

Don't agree with him on everything, but no doubt Marco Rubio loves America and believes deeply in the American Dream. Much respect.

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 16, 2016

Unfortunately, respect wasn’t shown to the exiting Rubio as he was heckled by a Trump supporter, just as he was thanking Trump. . .

Rubio opens by thanking Trump. Trump supporter interrupts, heckles him at his own party.

— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) March 16, 2016

. . . but he handled the heckler with humor and aplomb.

Adding insult to injury, Rubio gets protester/heckler at his losing speech. But he recovers w "you won't get beaten up" at his rally

— Ed Henry (@edhenry) March 16, 2016

As a parting bow, the Senator’s campaign encouraged all Republicans and conservatives to unite behind Ted Cruz.

BREAKING: @FoxNews reporting @marcorubio Policy Adviser tweets that it's time for all Repub's & conservatives to #UniteBehindCruz

— WallMan (@MarcusMmcintire) March 16, 2016

It was definitely time for Rubio to leave the scene in order for conservatives to coalesce around Ted Cruz and to thwart the Trump juggernaut. But, as he said in the speech, this was not his time. I hope that in future elections he will discover that time.