Jeb Bush’s Negative Numbers Problem

Wall Street Journal ^ | 7/5/15 | JEFF HORWITT

[jimbo123]

Jeb Bush led the Republican field in the most recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, but the data show significant challenges ahead for him.

-snip-

Beyond his family-name challenges, the former Florida governor faces a more fundamental issue. In the June WSJ/NBC poll, just 37% of Americans said that they would feel optimistic or satisfied about a Jeb Bush presidency, while 61% would feel uncertain or pessimistic.

Comparing Jeb Bush’s ratings to those of the past three Republican presidential nominees at this time in the election cycle also suggests a tough road ahead. All three eventual GOP nominees were viewed more positively than negatively by Americans, with George W. Bush being viewed nearly three times more positively than negatively in June 1999 (50% positive vs. 17% negative).

Yet Jeb Bush’s personal ratings at this point are more negative than positive: 27% positive, 36% negative. And strikingly for a candidate whose appeal is supposed to extend beyond Republican primary voters, he is also viewed negatively by independents (21% positive, 36% negative) and moderates (26% positive, 33% negative).

How much of this can be tied to the Bush name is unclear. But while improbable things can indeed happen in America, starting off from behind is not a winning formula for anyone.

[jimbo123]

Yet Jeb Bush’s personal ratings at this point are more negative than positive: 27% positive, 36% negative. And strikingly for a candidate whose appeal is supposed to extend beyond Republican primary voters, he is also viewed negatively by independents (21% positive, 36% negative) and moderates (26% positive, 33% negative).

[Spirochete]

He needs to be dogged at every step by the name of Kathryn Stienle. A millstone hung around his neck like “Turk 182”.

[Calvin Locke]

Good. I hope the numbers stay that way.

[Gaffer]

Jeb Bush’s Mexican problem.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

GOPe can’t figure people are tired of Bushes.

[grania]

He’s already got the name Terri Schiavo around his neck. Astounding that the media never mentions that there are a whole lot of conservatives who would never even consider Jeb because of his handling of that tragedy.

[Red Steel]

And his negatives will be going up.

[j.havenfarm]

Troublesome name. Weak numbers. Plus, he’s an a-hole. If he can overcome those three things, I think he’ll get the nod.

[Cobra64]

The jerk cannot understand that most Americans do not condone illegal behavior and that Jeb belongs in jail for aiding and abetting illegal behavior with illegal aliens.