BOULDER, Colo. — The biggest story from last night's debate wasn't Marco Rubio's strong performance (which it was), Ted Cruz stealing a moment (which he did), or the candidates and GOP audience attacking the media (which most definitely happened).
Rather, the most significant story from last night is that Jeb Bush's campaign now finds itself on life support, especially after Bush swung and missed when trying to hit Rubio over his Senate voting record. As one Republican operative told NBC's Peter Alexander, Bush had to demonstrate to his supporters and donors — after a rough last few weeks — that the former Florida governor could land a punch, particularly after telegraphing to the political world that it was coming. But Bush missed. Badly.
It was the equivalent of a teenager who, after telling the whole school that he was going to fight a classmate at lunchtime, ended up being the one taking the licking. We've covered politics long enough to know that a presidential candidate can rise from the dead (John McCain), withstand a bad debate performance (Barack Obama), and shine when it counts rather than months before the first votes are cast (John Kerry). But Jeb Bush is in trouble right now. Big trouble.
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Image: Jeb Bush pauses at his podium during a commercial break
Jeb Bush pauses at his podium during a commercial break at the 2016 U.S. Republican presidential candidates debate held by CNBC in Boulder, Colo. on Wednesday. RICK WILKING / Reuters
Bush has to do something to buy time: For Bush, last night's debate will either be the moment that ended his presidential campaign, or the point when his campaign hit rock bottom (because he can't go any lower, right?). But to buy time, Team Bush has to do SOMETHING to calm the campaign's most ardent supporters -- whether it's new campaign staff or Bush admitting to strategic mistakes. The bad news for the campaign was last night. The silver lining: Every president and nominee has faced some near-death experience.
http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/jeb-bushs-campaign-life-support-after-rough-debate-n453656
-virgil
Rather, the most significant story from last night is that Jeb Bush's campaign now finds itself on life support, especially after Bush swung and missed when trying to hit Rubio over his Senate voting record. As one Republican operative told NBC's Peter Alexander, Bush had to demonstrate to his supporters and donors — after a rough last few weeks — that the former Florida governor could land a punch, particularly after telegraphing to the political world that it was coming. But Bush missed. Badly.
It was the equivalent of a teenager who, after telling the whole school that he was going to fight a classmate at lunchtime, ended up being the one taking the licking. We've covered politics long enough to know that a presidential candidate can rise from the dead (John McCain), withstand a bad debate performance (Barack Obama), and shine when it counts rather than months before the first votes are cast (John Kerry). But Jeb Bush is in trouble right now. Big trouble.
advertisement
Image: Jeb Bush pauses at his podium during a commercial break
Jeb Bush pauses at his podium during a commercial break at the 2016 U.S. Republican presidential candidates debate held by CNBC in Boulder, Colo. on Wednesday. RICK WILKING / Reuters
Bush has to do something to buy time: For Bush, last night's debate will either be the moment that ended his presidential campaign, or the point when his campaign hit rock bottom (because he can't go any lower, right?). But to buy time, Team Bush has to do SOMETHING to calm the campaign's most ardent supporters -- whether it's new campaign staff or Bush admitting to strategic mistakes. The bad news for the campaign was last night. The silver lining: Every president and nominee has faced some near-death experience.
http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/jeb-bushs-campaign-life-support-after-rough-debate-n453656
-virgil
