Jeb Bush's millions aren't buying votes. Will money not matter in 2016?

The Week ^ | 12/12/15 | Paul Waldman

[jimbo123]

A year ago, Jeb Bush's allies told reporters that they were preparing a "shock and awe" fundraising campaign in which they would amass such an intimidating pile of cash that other candidates might just leave the race lest they be crushed by Bush's gargantuan war machine made of money. True to their word, Team Jeb met its ambitious target of $100 million, then began to deploy it to sweep Bush's opponents aside on his path straight to the White House.

But as you might have noticed, something went awry with the plan. As The Washington Post reported this week, Bush's super PAC Right to Rise has spent $50 million, which has brought Jeb from his peak support of 15 percent earlier in the year to around 5 percent now, putting him in fifth place behind a reality TV demagogue, a doctor with zero political experience, and a couple of pipsqueak senators.

[P-Marlowe]

Money can’t buy me love.

[dp0622]

If one looks back at the past bunch of elections, the numbers were pretty much the same and after a FORTUNE was spent in the generals.

maybe a handful of percent of voters aren’t sure six to eight months before.

Trump beats hillary by a few percent, maybe even 5.

pretty much in line with most current polls.

[PROCON]

The slimeball GOPe will give it their best shot at getting Jeb! nominated at the convention.

[stanne]

Trump took money out of this race

[stocksthatgoup]

Trump has taken up all the oxygen in this race. Come on Hillary!

[Calpublican]

A successful ad has a message and/or a decent product.

[hadaclueonce]

Historically 100 millions dollars could get a turd elected president. I have seen it.

Currently 100 billion dollars could not get another Bush elected.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Nothing biased in THIS story in Obola’s mainstream media is there?

/sarchasm - that gaping whole between a liberal and the real world.

[stanne]

Well, Jen sure can’t beat Hilary. None of them are a sure bet. But Rubio would stutter. No way. Jeb? No. How about kasich?
Cruz is not going to beat Hilary. No

[wjcsux]

The chance of someone named Bush ever elected as POTUS again is nonexistent. The GOPe knows this and they will try to nominate Yeb! anyway.

[COBOL2Java]

Bush's super PAC Right to Rise has spent $50 million, which has brought Jeb from his peak support of 15 percent earlier in the year to around 5 percent now, putting him in fifth place behind a reality TV demagogue, a doctor with zero political experience, and a couple of pipsqueak senators.

Well hell's bells, Right to Rise, what are you waiting for? Spend another 50 Million so Jeb can get down to 2.5%!

[RoosterRedux]

Jeb has already spent half of is pile with nothing to show for it.

He's a loser and so are his backers.

[niteowl77]

Jeb Bush's Millionaires' (who are buying influence via the Bush family) millions aren't buying votes. Will money not matter in 2016?

The Kennebunkport Influence Peddlers are pretty tight with their own money, but not so much with anyone else's money.

Mr. niteowl77

[jimbo123]

[RoosterRedux]

When the candidates complained to Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe that Trump was getting massive free publicity by just calling in, Joe invited them all to call in for the same free publicity.

NO ONE took him up on it.

Joe surmised that while Trump would take all questions for as long as necessary--even getting beaten up occasionally--the other candidates were afraid to do that.

If one is afraid of Morning Joe, how are they going to stand up to Putin?

[Jim Noble]

December 1979 (i.e., now) Reagan 33% Carter 62%.
December 1983 (i.e., now) Reagan 48% Mondale 47%
In August 1988 Dukakis was leading HW 49%-42%

The unchanging polls to which you refer apply to elections where nobody cares who wins (i.e., where it doesn't matter who wins).

In elections where real voters can be engaged by the campaigns, polls before October of election year are meaningless.

[dp0622]

you left out the past 4 elections. if those changed drastically that last six months, i’ll agree.

the idea that on one cared whethera republican replaced clinton is wrong.

[exDemMom]

Maybe some of his lack of support stems from his refusal to prevent Terry Schindler from being horrifically starved and dehydrated to death by her supposed “husband.”

If he can’t be bothered to protect a handicapped woman, then who will he protect?

Meanwhile, Trump and Cruz are both talking about protecting the country. And right now, we need someone who takes security seriously.

[Chode]