Politico is straining to portray Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) as “surg[ing]” in the South Carolina Republican primary, basing that narrative on anecdotal evidence and the claims of Rubio's staff. But poll data show he is currently in third place in the state, with the support of less than 16 percent of voters.

According to the headline and subhead of Politico's February 16 article, Rubio has “surge[d] back to electrify” the state, where he is “dazzling crowds.”

Rubio finished in third place in the Iowa caucuses and fifth place in the New Hampshire primary. According to the RealClearPolitics poll average, his support in South Carolina has increased just 4.3 percent since late January -- from 11.5 percent to 15.8 percent. Donald Trump has 35 percent support, beating Rubio by nearly 20 points.

As evidence for the Rubio “surge,” Politico cites a single poll that places Rubio “tied for second with Ted Cruz at 18 percent,” 17 points behind Trump. The article also bases its surge narrative on an event where Rubio received “thunderous applause” from a 2,000-person crowd, as well as laudatory statements from Rubio staffers and supporters who say that he is doing well. It includes the following glowing paragraph about his campaign:

They ignored top donors who called after New Hampshire and offered to assist with debate prep. They tuned out pundits saying that Rubio's campaign was effectively over. Campaign manager Terry Sullivan and senior strategists Todd Harris and Heath Thompson huddled with Rubio and decided to recalibrate slightly by loosening the reins and allowing voters -- and the news media -- to see more of the candidate himself.

Earlier this month, Rubio's campaign sought to spin the press by setting up a third place finish in Iowa as a win for the Florida senator. Several media outlets fell for it, declaring Rubio the “unofficial winner.”