Bush plans scorched-earth attack on Kasich, Rubio

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Jeb Bush is already laying the groundwork for a brutal South Carolina campaign against establishment rivals John Kasich and Marco Rubio.

In an internal memo circulated late Tuesday evening, the campaign distributed talking points to top campaign aides and surrogates, highlighting lines of attack they plan to take against both candidates.

The memo suggests that Kasich, who campaigned extensively in New Hampshire, does not have a realistic path to winning the Republican nomination.

“Governor Kasich has little to no chance in South Carolina, and does not have a national organization that can compete,” the memo says. “Kasich has consistently supported gutting the military and has no viable path in the Palmetto State.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/new-hampshire-primary-2016-live-updates/2016/02/bush-plans-scorched-earth-attack-on-kasich-rubio-219058#ixzz3zlblxQ3B

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Prisoner's Dilemma: attack Trump, and risk a backlash which lets Kasich or Rubio rise, or tear down Kasich and Rubio and allow Trump to continue to dominate.

[C_U_L8R]

1. Bushes know how to play dirty

especially in South Carolina. Just ask John McCain.

Not saying it's gonna work this time. But it will
make fascinating popcorn-eating entertainment.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

2. Good. The more they eat their own, the less work there is for Democrats to do.

[TygrBright]

9. Yup. Of course, that's exactly what THEY say about us, too...

And we're fulfilling their expectations nicely.

Primary season is like Open House Day at the sausage factory...

wearily,
Bright

[Andy823]

16. I agree completely

We don't need to destroy the other candidates with trash and bash tactics, we need to point out the strong points of the candidate we support and show people why they should voter for the best candidate, not keep attacking the other candidate because "they are worse".

I was for O'Malley, and the one thing that helped by decided was the O'Malley group. There was no negative posts about the "other candidates", just a ton of information about O'Malley and why he would be the best candidate for the WH. Not one person was ever banned from that group, and that says a lot.

[TygrBright]

18. Lived in MD when Martin was Mayor of Baltimore, voted for him for Goob.

Good exec, and I look forward to voting for him again in the future.

His candidacy was a positive force, and I'm glad he was in the race.

In the mean time, back to the sausage factory...

wryly,
Bright

[Kelvin Mace]

3. I guess we will be hearing about Rubio's "black baby" soon

[Andy823]

4. Bush needs Christie

If Christie stays in, it could help Bush. Bush is not as good as Christie at taking down other candidates, like he did with Rubio in the last debate. I wonder who will go after who in the next debate. Bush seems to be the one the party wants, and they "don't" want Trump. Problem is nobody seems to be brave enough to go after Trump!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. dam the torpedo. Fool Speed Ahead!

[LiberalFighter]

6. What is the point of attacking them when Trump is in the lead?

[Bradical79]

20. Consolidate establishment support?

That's the only thing I can think of. He probably thinks his only chance is to take out other establishment rivals and add their followers support to his own. Basically, he's desperate, entitled, and still has plenty of campaign cash to spend :-P

[IDemo]

7. I continue to believe that the long term may favor Bush

It's common around here to laugh off the last of the Bush clan, but given his money and the establishment's fervent wish for anybody but Trump or Cruz, I think he's holding on to the belief that the top two clowns will sooner or later implode and that none of the other contenders can compete. And knowing America's refusal to learn historical lessons, he may be right.

[groundloop]

19. Throw in Rubio's recent issue with repeating himself repeating himself and you might just be correct

[keithbvadu2]

8. Tee shirt::::: Hillary vs Jeb

Tee shirt::::: Hillary vs Jeb

I will not vote for Monica's ex-boyfriend's wife in 2016

But will vote for Jeff Gannon's boyfriend's brother Jeb?

[Javaman]

10. jebs running hard for 3rd place. LOL nt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

11. please do tell. What is the best rated seasoned salt for popcorn?

I feel the need for a snack coming on. Now, to find the remote and replace its batteries.

[xocet]

12. A "Bush-plans...attack" headline should remind everyone what the Bush family has done to the world.

[erlewyne]

13. Watch out for Kasich

They have a long way to go and they are running out of time.
Kasich has stayed off the clown car and so has Jeb and Jeb
has too much baggage. Nobody outside of Ohio know Kasich.

[navarth]

21. +1

[SoLeftIAmRight]

14. then we get Donald or Ted

[NCjack]

15. At home, he's "Momma's Boy" -- in the political arena, he's the "Scorch-a-nator".

[houston16revival]

17. Ya gotta say

the Bushes know how to campaign

Willie Horton

Outright untruths ('the environmental president')

Clinging to the opposition to make them look very similar

And attacking (McCain, SC, 2004 was it?)

There is Trump and then there is a donnybrook

the survivor of that will be broker material at the convention

[Yo_Mama]

22. Maybe it is time for Bush to just go away before he makes people hate him.

If it's not there for him - and it obviously isn't - then attacking someone like Kasich with a long record of achievement just can't be good for the party.

It makes ol' Jeb look like a megalomaniac. It is good for Republicans to have Kasich running.

[Sunlei]

23. First Florida Man Attacks! It is ALIVE!

Jebbies afraid to attack Trump

[elljay]

24. Damn This Low-Carb Diet!

Anyone have a good replacement for popcorn? I can only eat so much edamame......

While I am greatly entertained by these cannibalistic clowns, the little picture of hypothetical President Trump in the back of my mind does cause a wee bit of gastric distress......

[Z_California]

26. Almonds do it for me

Here's for your gastric distress:

Latest RCP average
Trump Favorable/Unfavorable: 34.4%/57.8% (-23.4%)

[elljay]

30. Thanks!

I feel a bit better, but have learned to never underestimate the power of stupidity.

[Z_California]

25. THIS is how Citizens United dark money should be spent

Hopefully this circular firing squad continues.

[JudyM]

27. Yeah, nice image. There's a cartoon in there somewhere.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

28. The Bushes and South Carolina

Here comes the garbage......

[muriel_volestrangler]

29. "Rubio has demonstrated no respect for the nomination process and expects this to be a coronation"

Ha! That's a Bush saying that, 9 years after he held any office, and who is running because he has 2 presidents in the family. Who has spent about $2,000 per vote in the 2 results so far.

[elljay]

31. Remember

That this is the Bush who purged enough African Americans from the Florida voter roll to hand his brother the election (with an assist from the SCOTUS). Yeah, he sure does respect the electoral process (-sarcasm alert)

[tavernier]

32. I've always maintained that bush will win it

in the GOP. Follow the money and the fact that Trump is hated by the money men.