Jeb Bush Sinks Down Political Hole As Donald Trump Remains Republican Frontrunner

One year ago, some people thought that there was a strong chance Jeb Bush would become the Republican candidate for the 2016 presidential election. Unfortunately for Mr. Bush, that isn’t looking very likely according to the polls. In fact, no matter how much he tries to attack his opponents, Jeb Bush keeps sinking further and further.

On Friday, the Wall Street Journal asked if Jeb Bush could save his presidency. They first described his major problem.

“Yet Jeb Bush, who aspires to be the third President Bush in three decades, so far hasn’t found a sizable GOP market. Often wobbling rhetorically, humbled by the crowded field, beleaguered by an insult-comic billionaire, his aura of inevitability vanished, if it ever existed.”

The article then notes that a comeback would be almost impossible, especially given that Jeb Bush has a 27.5 percent to 53.3 percent favorable/unfavorable rating, which is worse than the same rating for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. However, according to the New York Times, Jeb Bush still plans to save his candidacy.

“Jeb Bush and his supporters still have a pile of money to spend, remnants of $100 million raised when he seemed early last year to be a sure bet…And allies have just begun a new ad campaign in Iowa.”

Other campaigns appear to have counted him out altogether. But, in extensive interviews over the past week, aides to Mr. Bush and important allies described a long-shot plan to pull off what seems all but impossible: winning the Republican nomination for president. The plan has six elements: keep attacking, avoid embarrassment in Iowa, do well in New Hampshire, woo Lindsey Graham, and — perhaps most importantly — use the family network to help.

Speaking of attacking, that’s just what Jeb Bush’s Republican running mate is doing. Trump’s Twitter account lit up on this weekend with some nasty tweets.

.@JebBush is a sad case. A total embarrassment to both himself and his family, he just announced he will continue to spend on Trump hit ads!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2016

.@JebBush is a low energy "stiff" who should focus his special interest money on the many people ahead of him in the polls. Has no chance!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2016

Meanwhile, Donald Trump will release his first TV ad on Monday. The Washington Post says it raises the temperature of the GOP race.

“Donald Trump’s ad begins with a shot of President Obama and Hillary Clinton. Then comes a U.S. battleship launching a cruise-missile strike. From there it moves swiftly through an explosive montage: The suspects in the recent California terrorist attack. Shadowy figures racing across the U.S.-Mexico border. Islamic State militants.”

The ad, even though it hasn’t been released, has been both praised and ridiculed on Twitter — in other words, it’s good PR for Trump.

The best part about Trump TV ads is that a campaign could quickly edit the pro-Trump ads into anti-Trump ads.

— The Democrat Machine (@DemocratMachine) January 4, 2016

Trump’s first TV ad is going to tout his unrealistic and unconstitutional "ideas" pic.twitter.com/UMYDoLWngV

— Matt O'Brien (@ObsoleteDogma) January 4, 2016

Many Republicans, even ones who aren’t thrilled with Trump, believe that he is winning and Bush is losing because Trump “has balls.” Do you think Donald Trump will end up taking the Republican nomination? Do you think Jeb Bush is really finished? Give us your thoughts in the comments section.

[Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images]