Posted on 08/06/2015 11:39:27 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The spotlight wasn’t on him, but Jeb Bush remains the smart money choice.
The former Florida governor was solid, if nervous, making no blunders and giving primary voters no reasons to be turned off.
He was cool, while Donald Trump was mortifyingly hot, especially amid early questioning on past sexist comments.
Bush was measured compared with other more theatrical rivals like Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Mike Huckabee.
As Trump pandered (probably successfully) to his base by bashing the media and undocumented workers, Bush at least sought to broaden his by toning down his pro-immigration image.
Donald Trump might not back GOP nominee, refuses to rule out independent run while candidates tussel at debate
He showed a certain lack of energy and passion, which should give some pause, but it’s early.
Amid the likely passing Trump Mania, one shouldn’t forget the formidable strengths that made Bush the presumed front-runner before the Trump circus.
He’s the son and brother of Presidents and has raised about $125 million already. He’ll never win the Iowa caucuses and might lose the New Hampshire primary, but he can easily rebound in South Carolina and Florida before the big Southern super primary on March 15, 2016, where he should have the edge.
“Bush is a marathoner, not a sprinter. He’s playing the long game; he has the money and a polling cushion to absorb some early hits,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political scientist.
His name and money remain big assets. If you were able to go to one of Trump’s bankrupt former casinos in Atlantic City, you’d still bet on Bush.
But he should pick up the pace and hope Trump sticks around. He’ll look better as the improbably formidable New Yorker plays to the haters.
“Smart money choice?”
SMH.
IMHO, Bush gave possibly the worst performance of the night. He is so soft and mushy. I don’t think he could win a mayoral race in NYC, much less POTUS.
I can’t remember a thing he said, but do remember at least one sound bite from the others. Yeah, he’s the right candidate alright. (barf)
Spin begins. People are Fed up. I like a straight shooter.
Will be interesting to see Trump’s numbers in the next few days.
I predict he gets a big boost.
Bad investment advice.
You want President Hillary?
Because that's how you get President Hillary.
I’m betting so does Cruz.
Still not liking Trump, however I think Jeb Bush meant to say “Good lord, Christie is morbidly obese!”.
Fox must have messed the words up or something.
Yes, it’s not even a question. The more people see Ted, the more people like him and TRUST him.
I’ve never considered Trump to be presidential. He has some good soundbites, and strikes a lot of the chords that Conservatives like to hear (illegal aliens, the economy, make America great again, etc.). Others say similar things, and have been saying them for a long time. But without the brashness that the media likes to pick up on.
I thought Trump was too brash, once again. One can be tough and stick to ones guns without coming across like a jerk.
Jeb Bush is the media’s candidate. They think they’re going to be able to push him down our throats.
Thing is even though they can see that we can’t stand Bush, they’re going to continue to try and place him as a front runner despite numbers showing otherwise.
Squaw Warren sends out her smoke signals....
If you look throughout history, everybody cares about the people (to get elected into some power). Trump hitting a nerve on people that have bent over for to long.
Dissect at will.
That happened 35 years ago, too. Remember?
BARF!! Is this from the Onion??
Jeb Bush was just plain terrible in the debate. Very boring. Typical uninspiring RINO establishment candidate.
I also want to smack Christie Creme when he went full Democrat on means testing Social Security. Sorry, you fat bastard, these “rich” folks paid into this Social Security Ponzi scheme, too. They are entitled to benefits just like anyone else.
Social Security is NOT supposed to be a tax where you receive no benefit after paying hundreds of thousands of dollars into it, you Obama-loving schmuck.
If “cool” means “room temperature”, sure, yeah.
By cool ... did they mean narcolepsy inducing?
I lived in FL when Jeb was gov. He did a good job. But there’s no fire, no passion in this campaign. And he’s running like Romney and McCain, both fine gentlemen, but both fine gentlemen who got run over running down the middle of the road.
Republicans don’t want a moderate president any more than we want a moderate Senate leader or Speaker. We want someone who will not massage the failures of the past 8 years, but dismantle them and right the ship.
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