Bush, trailing in polls, launches first TV ads in NH
Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, is starting TV ads in New Hampshire in order to make up ground in a state that is crucial to his hopes.
The "joyful tortoise" is striking back.
Jeb Bush is launching his first TV ad of the Republican campaign Wednesday in New Hampshire, a 30-second spot that jabs at frontrunner Donald Trump and Washington politicians such as Sens. Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul – without naming them.
"If you want more D.C. politicians or self promoters, you've got options," Bush says, standing in a factory and speaking straight into the camera about his record as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007.
The ad, entitled "I've delivered," is scheduled to run on Boston broadcast television, which covers much of New Hampshire, as well as cable stations and the state's only broadcast outlet, ABC affiliate WMUR in Manchester. The Bush campaign spent $500,000 initially, booking enough time to blanket the state through the end of the month; it has not ruled out spending more.
In addition, the Bush-backing Right 2 Rise super PAC, which raised $100 million in the first quarter of 2015 alone, will start airing its first New Hampshire ads Sept. 15, Politico reported.
By all accounts the blitz is needed. Bush led New Hampshire polls early in the summer, but he has fallen to 9 percent percent in the Real Clear Politics average of state polls, putting him in third place, behind Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who entered the race late but got a boost from a $5 million in TV ads bought buy by a supportive super PAC.
As his numbers have melted, Bush, who talks of campaigning with joy in his heart, has christened himself the "joyful tortoise," to Trump's manic hare. Of late, the former Florida governor has also stepped up his criticism of the real-estate developer as, inter alia, a "fake" conservative.
"Anybody can talk," Bush says in the new ad. "I've delivered."
The ad script, from the Bush campaign:
"We have an important choice to make about the direction of our country. If you want more DC politicians or more self-promoters, you've got options. I'm offering something different: leadership, ideas and a proven conservative record. As governor, I cut taxes, cut spending, balanced budgets and Florida led the nation in job creation. Anybody can talk. I've delivered and I hope to earn your support. I'm Jeb Bush and I approve this message."