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“We’ve tried to get ahold of him,” Rubio said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I think he’s taking a few days away from the grind. And I understand that. I know we spoke to his staff.”

Christie has since dropped out of the race, and Rubio was widely seen as rebounding in Saturday night’s debate as he tries to make up ground in South Carolina and other presidential primary states.

“I want to be clear I have no animus toward Chris,” Rubio said. “I like him very much. I always have. This is a political campaign. It’s a competitive environment, and people are going to exchange. And we gave as good as we got.”