Haley backs Rubio in South Carolina

Sorry, Jeb. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA

9.29pm GMT

1. Palmetto governor goes for Marco

Three days before primary day, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who enjoys a whopping 81% approval rating, dropped a bomb: she’s a Rubio voter.

Hay great news! [That’s straw-ed.] Photograph: Chris Keane/Reuters

9.28pm GMT

Summary

Rubio still may not overtake Donald Trump and his double-digit polling lead. But a strong South Carolina second could restore Rubio’s gloss as the [maybe] GOP establishment pick.

Pro baby handling right here. Photograph: Chris Keane/Reuters

9.28pm GMT

2. Jeb’s last gasp?

Haley’s endorsement was a blow for Jeb Bush, who had hoped that HE would be the Republican establishment pick. A new poll had Bush fifth in the Palmetto State.

How many more miles in this bus? Photograph: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

9.28pm GMT

America.

America. pic.twitter.com/TeduJkwQF3

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 16, 2016

9.28pm GMT

3. Cruz dares Trump to sue him

With media cameras rolling, Ted Cruz read a cease-and-desist letter sent by a Trump lawyer over an ad in which Cruz tars Trump as pro-choice and anti-gun. Fighting words!

Cruz dares Trump to sue over negative ad

I have in my hand a list of names. Photograph: Joshua Roberts/Reuters

9.28pm GMT

‘File a lawsuit!’

Donald, I would encourage you, if you want to file a lawsuit challenging this ad, claiming it is defamation, file a lawsuit! – Texas senator Ted Cruz

Bring it on, Donald Chump. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

9.28pm GMT

'Time will tell, Teddy'

If I want to bring a lawsuit it would be legitimate. Likewise, if I want to bring the lawsuit regarding Senator Cruz being a natural born Canadian I will do so. Time will tell, Teddy. – Trump, replying

Call my lawyer. Wait. Call 100 lawyers. Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP

9.28pm GMT

The Cruz ad in question:

The ad @realDonaldTrump​ wants me to pull. We’re running it more frequently because you deserve to know the truth.https://t.co/pEaLCsbr1X

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 17, 2016

9.28pm GMT

4. Clinton up big in March states – poll

Hillary Clinton holds double-digit “leads” over Bernie Sanders in nine of 12 states to vote in early March, a poll found. But the race in Nevada, which caucuses next, looked too close to call.

Can we skip to the states where I win big? Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

9.27pm GMT

5. Sanders defends Killer Mike

Stumping for Sanders last night, Killer Mike, the rapper, quoted activist Jane Elliott as saying: “A uterus doesn’t qualify you to be president of the United States.” Can he say that?

Elliott herself took Killer Mike’s side. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

9.27pm GMT

Summary

The Clinton camp took offense. The rapper said the line had been taken out of context. “We need to get beyond the gotcha politics,” a Sanders spokesman said.

Let’s all go chill on the roof for awhile. Photograph: Gabrielle Lurie for the Guardian

9.27pm GMT

6. Obama: ‘Trump will not be president’

I continue to believe Mr Trump will not be president, and the reason is that I have a lot of faith in the American people, and I think they recognize that being president is a serious job. – Barack Obama

Get outta here. Photograph: Ned Redway/EPA

9.26pm GMT

Being president: 'It's hard'

‘I have a lot of faith in the American people.’

9.26pm GMT

... and another thing:

.@JohnKasich bought Girl Scout cookies from a young girl in Bluffton, SC, today pic.twitter.com/D1dNJ5Fsxg

— Ben Gittleson (@bgittleson) February 17, 2016