Jeb Bush, center, flanked by Mike Huckabee, left, and Marco Rubio responds to a question during the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado on Oct. 28. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – His campaign in difficult straits after disappointing showings on the stump and the debate stage, former Florida governor Jeb Bush insisted Thursday that he has the skills and the staying power to withstand a downturn.
“It’s not on life support,” he said of the once-formidable campaign operation he has been forced to trim back as a cost-saving measure. “We have the most money, we have the greatest organization,” Bush told reporters following a brief campaign stop here. “We’re doing fine.”
Bush spoke for fewer than five minutes to a small, polite crowd basking in an unusually warm, sunny afternoon. A smattering of raindrops fell exactly as Bush took the stage outside Geno’s Chowder and Sandwich Shop, but the sun soon returned.
The Republican presidential candidate's mood seemed to match the sparkling day, as he indirectly addressed criticism of his lackluster performance in Wednesday’s Republican debate.
“Look, there are two types of politicians. There the talkers and there the doers,” Bush told the crowd. “I wish I could talk as well as some of the people on the stage, the big personalities on the stage, but I’m a doer.”
He referred several times to his “servant’s heart,” his zeal for constituent service and track record solving knotty problems.
“That is my mission. It has nothing to do with the personalities of the people on the stage,” Bush said.
Taking questions from reporters later, Bush said his supporters are not “walking away.”
“They’re not walking away,” he said, noting there are eight more debates. “The end is not near. Memo to file.”
He said his plan all along has been to focus on the early voting states this fall. Campaigns are long, and the state of the race a year from the election is a poor predictor, Bush said. Herman Cain was at the top of the pools at this point in the 2012 campaign, he noted, and Hillary Rodham Clinton was nearly 30 points ahead of an unknown named Barack Obama.
“Every one of these elections goes through a process,” Bush said.
Asked whether it’s possible that he does not project enough strength to be elected president, Bush’s face grew tight.
“We’re gonna find that out, aren’t we? Here’s the deal. I’m campaigning harder than anybody else. I have a proven record. There is no one that has the proven record in business and in government that I have, and I’m gonna go share that with people and you’ll find out if I’m strong enough.”
Bush also addressed a key moment in the debate, when Sen. Marco Rubio delivered a snappy riposte to Bush’s criticism of his Senate voting record. Bush expanded his critique to include the other senators on the stage, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rand Paul of Kentucky. All have a poor record of passing legislation, he said.
“My reaction is that I think people, when they get elected to serve, they ought to serve,” Bush said. “That’s the simple point I’m making.”
Of Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bush said: “I can’t wait to debate her.”
As supporters trickled in ahead of the event, music came on the sound system. The first selection was “The Workingman’s Hymn,” which has this oft-repeated refrain: “I know that we can turn it around.”
Supporter Judy Scott of Newfields, N.H., watched the debate and said criticism of Bush’s performance may be overblown.
“He did do a good job,” despite what she said were some unfair questions, said Scott, who turned out early for Bush’s afternoon event here, sporting a Jeb! sticker.
“I think he has had a hard time, maybe it’s from being tired, I don’t know, but it’s a little hard for him to show the enthusiasm he has,” she said.
She praised Bush’s record in Florida, particularly on education, and said she is impressed with his preparation and qualifications.
“He has a whole lot to offer,” Scott said. “We need somebody who is serious.”
It’s time, Scott said, for some candidates to drop out so that the field becomes clearer. She of course wants Bush to remain in the race, but said she would support whomever the eventual nominee may be. That includes Donald Trump or Ben Carson, she said.
“I’m a Republican,” Scott said. “The other side is not a choice for me.”
