Bush comeback strategy backfires in debate
Attack on rival Rubio raises new questions
WASHINGTON, Oct 29, (AP): Jeb Bush sought to revive his flagging White House bid with a comeback strategy focused on taking down rival Marco Rubio, the fresh-faced senator from Florida. But Bush’s plan backfired badly on national television in the third Republican presidential debate.
Instead of generating much needed momentum, Bush’s attack on his onetime protege raised new questions about his underwhelming candidacy in the primary contest, which he was once expected to dominate as the son and brother of former presidents.
And Bush’s continued struggles highlight a deepening sense of uncertainty settling over a 2016 Republican presidential race that remains crowded and without a clear front-runner. Insurgent outsiders Donald Trump and Ben Carson have unexpectedly risen to the top of the polls, though their performances were checkered in Wednesday night’s debate.
In contrast to the Republican field, Hillary Rodham Clinton has been consolidating her status as the over- whelmingly favorite for the Democratic nomination, with just over three months to go before the first primary contests. The presidential election is more than a year away.
Even with an estimated $100 million in the bank, Bush headed into Wednesday’s primetime debate at the weakest point of his campaign.
Just five days earlier, the former Florida governor announced deep campaign spending cuts designed to salvage his floundering bid. He slashed salaries by 40 percent and shifted staff from his Miami headquarters to early voting states.
With his powerful family on hand, Bush spent much of the weekend huddling behind closed doors outlining a strategy that depended, above all else, on challenging Rubio. Bush appeared to get the perfect opportunity to test his strategy when he was positioned right next to Rubio on the debate stage.
The mild-mannered Bush mustered up an attack on Rubio for missing so many votes in the Senate. “Marco, when you signed up for this, this was a six-year term, and you should be showing up to work. I mean, literally, the Senate — what is it, like a French work week? You get, like, three days where you have to show up? You can campaign, or just resign and let someone else take the job.”
It was the moment Bush’s supporters had been waiting for. But so, apparently, was Rubio.
The first-term senator, Bush’s junior by 18 years, quickly charged that Bush had praised Arizona Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate, who has missed many votes as well.
“I don’t remember you ever complaining about John McCain’s vote record,” Rubio said. “The only reason why you’re doing it now is because we’re running for the same position, and someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you.”
The senator then pivoted beautifully: “My campaign is going to be about the future of America, it’s not going to be about attacking anyone else on this stage.”
The crowd cheered. Bush’s team did not.