The line of the day — outside the Christie-Trump story — is this: “At last the gloves are off against Trump!” What people mean is that at last Marco Rubio’s gloves are off against Trump. In a Marco-centric universe, this is a new day.

American memories are super-short, especially in politics. So let me record that Trump and Cruz have been whaling on each other since the beginning of the year. Ted was creeping up on Trump in the Iowa polls. Eventually, he overtook him. Trump lashed at Ted — with birtherism and all that.

Ted lashed back, including with an ad about Trump and eminent domain. There was a second ad against Trump on eminent domain: this one featuring children and a Trump action figure, believe it or not.

In the debate before last night’s, Trump and Cruz whaled on each other. Here’s Ted, for example:

“For most of his life, [Trump’s] policies have been very, very liberal. For most of his life, he has described himself as very pro-choice and as a supporter of partial-birth abortion. Right now today, as a candidate, he supports federal taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.”

Have a little more:

“If Donald Trump is president, he will appoint liberals. If Donald Trump is president, your Second Amendment will gone.”

And so on.

When Trump interrupted, as is his wont, Ted said, “Donald, adults learn not to interrupt people.”

When Cruz called him out on his record, Trump responded with “Liar! Liar!” Rubio joined this chorus. Actually, it was a duet, but it was loud.

Before last night, had Trump ever criticized Marco? I don’t think so. And that was because Marco had not criticized him.

On the trail, for weeks, Cruz has been attacking Trump on immigration: the “Trump touchback.” And on health care: “Like Bernie Sanders!” Etc. For his part, Trump has attacked Cruz as nasty, heartless, you name it.

Last night, Marco was all over Trump like ugly on ape (as Bush 41 used to say). That’s terrific (Trump word). Cruz was all over him too. This anti-Trump front pleases me.

And I should perhaps not be commenting, because I’m a Cruzer. But I think I’ve seen a little revisionism — a bad kind of revisionism. And it has gnawed at me a little.

Who was first to let The Donald have it? Well, I think that honor goes to Jeb Bush, late of the campaign.