That befits his role as a member of the GOP’s governing class: The goal here isn’t merely (or even ultimately) to elect Jeb Bush, it’s to make sure the GOP ends up with a “responsible” nominee, which means someone besides Trump.
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But going into the second presidential contest in New Hampshire next week, he’s doing anything he can to keep his flagging campaign on the rails.
Bush’s comments come at a time when presidential candidates are barreling toward New Hampshire, which will hold the election’s first primary on Tuesday.
In recent days, Bush has showcased his family’s support with former First Lady Barbara Bush taking to the stump in New Hampshire to help the former Florida governor.
“And by the way, we wanted tickets, we couldn’t get them!” Jeb had $100 million dropped on him not because he was fantastically impressive but because the Bush family has many friends and, more importantly, the donor class needed someone formidable on the center-right who could oufox the Cruzes and Pauls and Walkers of the world.
“Here’s Jeb Bush criticizing Donald Trump, when George Bush got the city of Arlington to use eminent domain”, said James Runzheimer, an Arlington attorney who fought public funding of the stadium.
Bush also said Monday that Marco Rubio’s debate performance proves he isn’t ready for the White House. Right to Rise, which attracted million-dollar checks from dozens of donors, started the year with roughly half of the $118 million it amassed in 2015.
The former Florida governor joked that his mom was “fortunate” there were no child abuse hotlines when he and his siblings were growing up.
The account, with only two videos and no indication of what campaign or PAC created it, echoes attacks launched against Mr. Rubio by his old mentor, Mr. Bush, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
“I hope you want someone with a steady hand”, he advised.
Early preference polls do not bode well. Kasich told him his achievements aren’t limited to OH, he was successful in Washington as well as a congressman. His wife, Patty Giguere, is torn between Democrat Bernie Sanders and Rubio.
While former President George W. Bush appeared in a new ad praising his brother as having “a good heart and a strong backbone” and being able to unite the country, Jeb Bush sat with his mother for an interview with CBS show “This Morning”.
“I know I’ve been written off”, said Bush, who must beat his establishment rivals next week or consider giving up.
As he struggles to stand out, Bush finds himself dealing with more questions about his prospects than his policy positions. He acknowledged his father and brother were presidents and his mother is one of America’s most popular women, but his record suggests he’s willing to take on the status quo. “I don’t know what my brother did or not”. “I’m proud of being a Bush”, he told a large crowd Thursday night in Derry.
At least one Bush backer, Nevada assemblyman David Gardner, has publicly switched his endorsement to Rubio.
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Finally getting to his point, Bush added: “It’s not all scripted – I think that’s actually a strength to be president of the United States, because you can not script being commander in chief”. “We are within striking distance”.
