Jeb Bush only has a core of about 10,000 multimillionaires and billionaires backing him. As well as the Republican leadership, who really need to retire.
But they are going to have to do all the heavy lifting. In past, they counted on at least matching funds from the rank and file Republicans and conservatives. But this time, all the good money his cronies throw at him will be wasted, without any buffer from the grassroots.
They lost a lot of money on Dole, and then on McCain, and then on Romney. Eventually the light is going to dawn on these moneybags that they are backing turkeys. So if they want to get anything out of the deal, they are going to have to at least permit a conservative candidate on a more level playing field.
He won’t be in their pocket, but just by doing the right thing he will create a far better business climate. Sure, they would prefer that government just give them free money, but that is not in the cards.
Like McCain, and Romney, JEB will have to chose a conservative running mate (everyone thought Ryan was conservative at that time) to have any chance whatsoever to bring out the base. If he chose Cruz, would he accept? If he did, could he solidify enough of the base to help Bush thereby setting himself up as the candidate in 2024? Personally, I will stay home, but I am in California so it doesn’t matter.