The WSJ says it shows GOP “resistance” to his candidacy, which it does — Jeb finishes in fourth place, below Rubio, Walker and Huckabee, when GOP voters nationwide (not just in Iowa) are asked whom they could see themselves supporting. Bush has said he wants to be Republican voters’ “second choice” – but the poll suggests that’s exactly what he’s not. Forty-two percent of Republicans say no, they could not see themselves supporting him. (For Rubio the figure is 26 percent, for Walker 17.)
But it’s worse than that: Jeb has big general election problems too. A particularly embarrassing summary list at the end of WSJ/NBC Question 8 shows Jeb dead last among 9 “public figures, groups and organizations” when it comes to the positive/negative feelings — feelings held by all adults (not just Republicans). Why would people dislike Jeb? He’s the pleasant, articulate Bush! Yet he’s 11 points underwater (23 percent positive to 34 percent negative). That’s worse than Bill Clinton (56 positive, 26 negative), the Federal Reserve, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Janet Yellen, Barack Obama, Scott Walker and even his brother “W.” Did I miss something? Did Jeb invade Iraq?
Would any of Bush’s billionaire backers invest in a business or product with these kind of numbers?
Join the conversation as a VIP Member