US Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush (2nd L) arrives to speak at the New Hampshire Forum on Addiction and Heroin Epidemic in Hooksett, New Hampshire, January 5, 2016.
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In recent interviews, op-eds and campaign videos, Bush has been adamant in his support for Second Amendment rights and opposition to Obama’s new policies.
Jeb Bush admitted Thursday that Donald Trump might just clinch the Republican nomination despite his own objections to the frontrunner’s bombastic style and general election prospects.
But more, Bush said, had to be done for the “damaged people” who commit gun crimes, who are “severely mentally ill”. “I, like you, love this country”.
Two other attempts from Hewitt failed to get a definitive yes or no answer.
When the candidates’ favorability ratings among likely Republican caucus-goers are measured, Trump is a good deal more popular than Bush (whose net favorability is underwater, meaning that more people view him unfavorably than favorably). “Because he disparaged a person who he knew had a disability and make fun of him”, Bush said.
Political consultant Stuart Stevens, who strategized for Republican nominee Mitt Romney in 2012, said going negative on Trump is exactly what Bush should have done from the start, instead of making the “terrible mistake” of also attacking establishment rivals.
But Bush said Trump goes too far, and repeated his criticism of December 19, when he called Trump a “jerk” for mimicking a disabled New York Times reporter. “I think we ought to be celebrating success in life and I think it’s great that he’s been successful”.
Hewitt then asked if he felt Trump had the “deep exposure to and nuanced understanding of American foreign policy and defense factors” to be president of the United States.
With Bush running sixth out of 12 Republicans, averaging 3.3 percent in polls, his campaign reportedly has now cancelled television ads in Iowa which votes on February 1.
The Republican presidential candidate, who early on in his campaign referred to himself as a “joyful tortoise”, walked over to a 13-year-old boy here at a breakfast joint Wednesday and pulled out a tiny turtle figurine.
“Do you want a president that disparages women?”
“Trump is an isolationist”, Bush said, later mentioning Trump’s comments on the US not having a fight in Syria as well as wanting Russian Federation to take on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
When pressed, he said “you tell me what the expectations are, and I’ll beat it”. Trump continues to lead the pack, national polling averages show, with 35.3 percent support.
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Voter Tom Emanuel asked Bush why he called Trump a “jerk” during a town hall meeting on December 19.
