Jeb Bush campaign faces criticism, skepticism following debate

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Bush And Rubio Tangle In Republican Debate Floridians Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio clashed for control of the party's more mainstream wing as the third Republican debate opened in Boulder, Colorado on Wednesday. (Oct. 28)

BOULDER, Colo. — You know a campaign is in trouble when aides are asked if their candidate might drop out soon.

That's where Jeb Bush finds himself following a poorly reviewed performance in Wednesday's debate.

"I think we're in for the long haul and we're in to win, but I appreciate the question," Bush campaign manager Danny Diaz told reporters after the debate, responding to whether Bush would make it to the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 1.

Amid poor reviews of his campaign style and organization — before, during and after the debate — Bush and aides are re-tooling their team and trying to fight off competitors who are looking to poach some of their donors.

The son and brother of former presidents finds himself trailing "outsider" candidates Donald Trump and Ben Carson, as well as protégé-turned-rival Marco Rubio.

A week after announcing campaign cutbacks that triggered more questions about his prospects, Bush campaign officials said they still have large get-out-the-vote organizations in early primary states — including in New Hampshire, which is beginning to look like a make-or-break state for the former Florida governor.

Aides said they also have strong organizations remaining in South Carolina — which holds a Feb. 20 primary — and in southern states that are part of the so-called "SEC primary" on March 1.

Bush world is also relying on the efforts of a well-funded super PAC, Right to Rise USA, aides said. It will finance television ads and may form organizations in Iowa and New Hampshire.

In the short term, Bush aides are playing up a Monday speech in Tampa in which the candidate plans to discuss how the country can break out of what he has called "the pessimism and decline of the Obama years." A bus tour of New Hampshire is also in the works. Bush also picked up an endorsement from former New Hampshire senator Judd Gregg on Thursday.

Looking toward the weeks and months ahead, Bush plans a steady march through the campaign trail, emphasizing his conservative record during his two terms as governor of Florida.

"This campaign isn't going to be won and lost by debates in October," said Bush communications director Tim Miller.

Job one: Hold the donors and supporters Bush already has. Marco Rubio and other opponents may seek to steal them.

"I haven't spoken to anyone in the last week who is bolting," said North Carolina attorney James Cain, who is hosting a fundraiser for Bush at his Raleigh home next week. He said donors like Bush and his record in Florida, but about half of those he talks to "wonder whether substantive experience will matter come primary time."

"They are really confused" by a race in which Trump and Carson, two candidates with no elective experience, have dominated the polls, said Cain, who served as U.S. ambassador to Denmark in President George W. Bush's administration. "Until that confusion settles, some of them are holding on to their money, including those who helped his father and his brother."

Cain and other fundraisers interviewed Thursday said they remain committed to Bush for the long haul.

"He's a doer not a debater," said David Beightol, a Washington lobbyist who is raising money for Bush. "I'm supporting him for his record of accomplishments."

During the debate at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Bush attacked Rubio for missing votes in the Senate in a move that ultimately backfired. Rubio hit back, citing Bush's falling polls numbers and telling his former ally: "We're running for the same position, and someone has convinced you that attacking me is going to help you."

After the debate, Bush told CNN that he's not frustrated with the campaign and that he plans to stress his experience dealing with issues people care about. He rejected questions about whether opponents out-performed him.

"I'm running for president of the United States," Bush said. "I'm running with heart. I'm not a performer. If they're looking for an entertainer-in-chief, I'm probably not your guy."

Brian Ballard, a Bush donor and Florida lobbyist, said the former Florida governor's super PAC has the resources to keep the "long game in play." But he said Bush's decision to slam Rubio, whom he described as well liked in the state's donor and political circles, was a misstep.

"It was not the right direction for the campaign for him to attack his friend and protégé," Ballard said. "If that's the direction going forward, I'm troubled."

Once considered a solid favorite for the nomination, Bush's campaign has been dogged from the start. At first, conservatives criticized Bush for his support of new immigration legislation and Common Core federal education stands.

In state after state, voters questioned whether a third member of the Bush family could win election to the White House in less than 30 years.

Then came Trump. As he ascended to the top of Republican polls, the billionaire businessman made Bush his primary target and repeatedly hit him for a "lack of energy" on the campaign trail.

As Bush seeks a comeback, even some opponents are offering advice.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told MSNBC that "what Jeb has got to do is show some passion for this job."

Also appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Eric Cantor, a Bush supporter, said the former Florida governor can't be counted out given the size of his organization and his field organizations in many states.

Cantor, the former House Republican leader, said "this is about staying power and this is about having the resources and the people through the early states."

Contributing: Fredreka Schouten