Most Jeb Bush donors are still loyal, but recognize that their candidate’s campaign is failing.
POLITICO talked to nearly two dozen major donors, and most say they are waiting for what one veteran Republican and former Bush 43 administration appointee described as the “family hall pass” to jump to another campaign after the New Hampshire primary.
“I’m resigned to it being over, frankly. It’s really disappointing,” said one top Bush Wall Street donor. “I’d urge him to get out after New Hampshire if he doesn’t do well, but he probably won’t.”
The deterioration of the Bush campaign has been a humbling experience for his fundraisers. A year ago, even before he was a candidate, Bush’s team was locking down donors across the country and getting commitments for six- and seven-figure checks with little trouble.
Now the fundraising pitch is decidedly different.
“Hey, I need you to throw away money on Jeb — out of loyalty,” a Bush fundraiser has told donors recently.
Rival campaigns are watching Bush’s finance operation closely and have been working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork to poach his donor network. So far, a top Florida Republican fundraiser, Brian Ballard, has been one of the only notable defections to Sen. Marco Rubio’s camp after Bush’s campaign attacked Rubio.
“Donors I’ve talked to are desperate not to abandon Jeb because of their long bonds and loyalty with the family, but they are also recognizing there is no ROI [return on investment] on this campaign,” said Rick Wilson, a veteran Florida political operative who is backing Rubio. “The sense of these folks is it is so sad. They whisper to each other, ‘When will Jeb go?'”
It looks like most of the Jeb donors will switch over to the most successful representative of the Republican establishment – Marco Rubio. Their second choice is Chris Christie.
Much of Bush’s Wall Street support network will shift to Rubio. Even those who still see an outside shot for the former Florida governor expect Rubio to emerge as the establishment alternative to Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
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Poor Jeb, he reminds me of SNL Church lady.
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I feel bad for him, man…… he just “looks” petrified, no matter the venue.
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I think the word is pathetic.
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Nervous Nellie is what comes to mind whenever I see him.
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He knows momma Bush is going to whip his a$$!
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She tried to tell him not to run. Mama knows best.
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I think his mama should of taught him a long time ago that stomping your feet doesn’t get you a cookie.
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he made his bed.
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LOL
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Oh, to have such problems as these poor, pitiable billionaires. I mean that sincerely. What a waste of one’s life and talents. One of the worst parts, to me, is “waiting for the family hall pass” to jump ship (paraphrased). And I understand loyalty, but to regard their donations to the Bush campaign as having “no return on investment” is not loyalty in my mind. No wonder Bush is where he is right now.
We are so often referred to as lo-infos, mind-numbed robots, cretins, ad infinitum, but reading articles like this describing life among the elites makes me feel so blessed to be right where I am. I hear more wisdom, intelligence, common sense, loyalty among the callers into late-night talk radio and on the shop floor.
All that said, I am torn between pity for Bush for his total rejection by most of the electorate, and anger at him for being so stupid as to not realize he has been told no and it is time for him to leave. My first impulse is to report him for being a stalker.
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LOL “My first impulse is to report him for being a stalker.”
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He should be reported as a Staller! Hi mom! How have you been?
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Been good. You?
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“Civi” life has been keeping me busy. Health is good! Life is and continues to be good.
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