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Jeb Bush's super PAC turned up the heat on Marco Rubio on Monday, unveiling a new $3 million-plus television spot to the Washington Examiner that accuses the Florida senator of being an immigration flip-flopper who supports amnesty.
The advertisement might raise eyebrows since Right to Rise USA is hitting Rubio on an issue on which he and Bush, both rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, agree. Rubio and Bush, the former Florida governor, have both expressed support for a pathway to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. The position has proven to be a political vulnerability for both candidates, but more so for Bush, who trails Rubio in state and national polls.
Strategists for Right to Rise USA view the spot as a critique of Rubio's character as a leader, rather than about immigration. The message the super PAC hopes to sell is that Rubio can't be trusted to stand his ground on in the face of opposition or during tough times. By extension, Bush's position might be unpopular, but he's consistent and has the backbone voters want in a commander-in-chief.
Although multiple candidates stand in Bush's way in New Hampshire, including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, not to mention Cruz, Rubio and Trump, the super PAC's brain trust views Rubio as the governor's main obstacle. Clear him out, and a strong finish both in the Granite State and in South Carolina, where the Bush family has deep ties, becomes possible. In a head-to-head matchup with Cruz or Trump, or even a three-way contest with those two, Right to Rise USA likes Bush' chances.
These strategists concede that Bush's personal favorable numbers appear problematic. But they blame that dynamic on the fact that most Trump supporters dislike Bush, while expecting the challenge to be overcome by the passionate support of the voters who do like him.
"In a race with this many people, everyone has a different principal opponent. Bush — and Christie — have to beat Rubio. Rubio has to beat Cruz. Cruz has to beat Trump. And Trump has to beat 50," said a Republican operative who is neutral in the primary.
