Bush aims to just survive New Hampshire

Politico ^ | 2/8/16 | ELI STOKOLS

[jimbo123]

His campaign is in overdrive. The family cavalry is en route. It may not be enough.

The pundits think he's nearing the end. His donors are itching to jump ship. But Jeb Bush thinks he's about to take the first step toward an unlikely comeback.

"You don't have to listen to the pundits," Bush told voters here. "In fact, you'll figure it out for the pundits."

The Bush campaign enters its last day before New Hampshire votes with the single aim of delivering a top-five performance that justifies pushing south, where they say they believe a better organization and a family rescue plan will drag his candidacy up from the cellar.

And with every 2016 front-runner wounded - Donald Trump failing to beef up a sub-par ground game after an embarrassing Iowa loss, Ted Cruz looking manipulative after duping Ben Carson's supporters, and Marco Rubio's over-rehearsed debate performance feeding the robotic stereotype he spent a campaign trying to shed - Bush's team has newfound optimism, especially over the weekend as he saw the biggest crowds of his campaign here.

"Jeb's network in South Carolina is just as strong as the other three candidates who are likely to survive," said one long-time Bush donor, speaking privately. "He just has to get there."

[Hawthorn]

>> What do you mean good solid victory? <<

In 2004, Bush got 281 electoral votes (53%), carried 31 states, and received 50.7% of the popular vote (vs. Kerry’s 48.3%). Even the sainted Bill Clinton never received more than 50% of the popular vote.

Bottom Line:

I’ll call that victory “solid” any day of the week.

[TheShaz]

The remaining Establishment candidates....

 

• Jeb
• Rubio
• Kasich
• Christie

 

 

Rubio:

He finished with a nice 3rd place in Iowa and entered NH as the leading Establishment. But a combination of being attaced by all the other Establishment and Cruz followed by Mr Roboto antics at the debate. The translates to POP & FIZZLE. Rubio's smooth talk on the campaign stump has been reduced to memorized speeches.

 

Jeb:

The early favorite of the Establishment, his last name says Mr Establishment. The leader in BIG MONEY. The undisputed champion of Low Energy. This is getting embarrassing and I would think sooner or later "W" will yank his brother off the stage, if anything to save the family name.

 

Kasich:

Sorry, at every debate this guy is more annoying to listen too than any other candidate. Likability is a factor and he has none.

 

Christie:

I half expect Christie to come in 3rd in NH tomorrow and give him a brief glow in the sunshine before he crashes in SC and NV.

 

This is still a Trump / Cruz race for the GOP, Which means the GOP Establishment, no matter what comes in 3rd place. By the time the establishment forces 3 of those four to drop out so they can consolidate...it will be too late.

 

No matter what, the Establishment loses.