Supporters pin their hopes on South Carolina
ADVERTISEMENTThere was a mixture of relief and disappointment among guests at Jeb Bush’s primary night watch party in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The top candidate of the Republican establishment – and scion of one of the most powerful political dynasties in the United States – avoided the meltdown of his campaign for now.
Jeb Bush spent $1200 per vote for his fourth-place finish in New Hampshire https://t.co/2LLDS4Dcpgpic.twitter.com/BxJ213DpYa
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) February 10, 2016
However, the former governor of Florida was also unable to position himself as the leader of the anti-Trump forces within the Republican Party.
Everybody is laughing at Jeb Bush-spent $100 million and is at bottom of pack. A pathetic figure!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 8, 2016
He trailed in after fellow moderate John Kasich, the governor of Ohio, and conservative Tea Party firebrand Ted Cruz, the senator from Texas.
Thank you, New Hampshire. Off to South Carolina!https://t.co/AIHvKseG0p
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) February 10, 2016
In a speech to supporters, a defiant Bush promised to work hard to prevent “Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump” from taking over the country.
“Do you want someone like Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, who will pursue their ambitions at the expense of service to the people who truly need help?”
“Do you want someone who organises their life by dividing us?”
“Do you want someone who suggests that the Republicans are their enemies, people who disagree with them?”
Jeb Bush: “This campaign is not dead” https://t.co/nVEUPMglZk
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 10, 2016
What happens now?
Jeb Bush supporter Ryan Miner sports his “Jeb!” sunglasses at an election night party in Manchester. #NHPrimarypic.twitter.com/PMC2K6BUXU
— NPR (@NPR) February 10, 2016
The eyes of Bush supporters are now all on the primary in South Carolina, the next competition in the presidential nominee contest.
They hope Bush will succeed in breaking out of the pack and score a desperately-needed victory.
Jon-Christopher Bua on Twitter https://t.co/wVa4qPQA12pic.twitter.com/yRxIDHcu4A
— Douglas Pierre (@pdougmc) February 3, 2015
However, experts like Georgetown University political analyst Jon-Christopher Bua say this may be wishful thinking.
“The man is having a very tough time and he is not showing, as we say, fire in the belly. He is not his brother and he is not his father.”
“It is really hard to live up to the Bush dynasty. I don’t think his heart is in it.”
Euronews correspondent Stefan Grobe says:
“Jeb Bush poured enormous resources into New Hampshire to jump start his White House bid. But despite all the money, his showing was weak. He might now face pressure from party leaders and donors to end his campaign.”
What they are saying
“This campaign is not dead” – Jeb Bush
“Everybody is laughing at Jeb Bush. He spent 100 million dollars and is at the bottom of the pack. A pathetic figure!” – Republican nominee rival Donald Trump
“Donald Trump is a loser, liar and whiner” – Jeb Bush
ADVERTISEMENT“I’m really disappointed in Jeb Bush. He has taken the very low road to the highest office in the land.” – John Kasich, Republican nominee rival.