Debate takes toll on Bush
Marco Rubio emerges strong despite attacks
Boulder, Colo. — He started as the front-runner, the man with a fundraising juggernaut, a dynastic last name and a conservative record governing a state crucial to Republicans’ presidential chances.
Now Jeb Bush is treading water, a notion confirmed by a poorly reviewed performance in Wednesday night’s debate at the University of Colorado. His attack on the missed Senate votes of U. S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a fellow Floridian and longtime ally, was easily dispatched in an exchange that could come to define Bush’s candidacy.
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 son and brother of former presidents announced deep campaign spending
“It’s not on life support,” Bush told reporters in Portsmouth, referring to his campaign. “We have the most money. We have the greatest organization. We’re doing fine.”
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.
“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 were 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, who has missed many votes aswell.
“I don’t remember you ever complaining about John Mc- Cain’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 fresh- faced 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.
“You saw Marco Rubio rip his still-beating heart out of his chest and stomp on it,” Iowa radio host Steve Deace said in the post-debate “spin room,” where he was supporting Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. “If (Bush) stays in, it’s just because he’s a glutton for punishment and he wants to descend into self-parody.”
Bush soldiered on Thursday in a trip to New Hampshire, a state critical to his hopes.
“It’s not on life support,” Bush told reporters in Portsmouth, referring to his campaign. “We have the most money. We have the greatest organization. We’re doing fine.”
While outsiders Donald Trump and Ben Carson have sucked up energy and polling support, Bush’s team sees Rubio as its chief rival for the “establishment” corner of the electorate.
Other contenders in that space are Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who lashed out Wednesday night at the novice candidates, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who challenged Bush during the debate on fantasy football, of all things.
Bush said the federal government should look into regulating daily fantasy sports gambling websites, as states — including Georgia — are starting to crack down on the activity.
Christie jumped in: “Are we really talking about getting the government involved in fantasy football? … How about we get the government to do what they’re supposed to be doing: secure our borders, protect our people, and support American values and American families. Enough on fantasy football. Let people play. Who cares?”
It was another moment where Bush was overshadowed, in a debate where he had less time to speak than all the candidates on stage except U. S. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.