Jeb Bush described Marco Rubio as a “gifted” politician, “but what has done?” | AP Photo Bush and Christie: Rubio is the new Obama As they grapple for establishment support in New Hampshire, the pair are making what for Republicans is a deeply unflattering comparison.

Jeb Bush and Chris Christie have a message for New Hampshire’s Republican voters: Marco Rubio would be President Barack Obama all over again.

The two are looking to tear Rubio down ahead of next week’s primary, hoping to derail the Florida Senator’s momentum after his strong finish in the Iowa caucus. And to do so, they’re comparing Rubio with the most recent first-term, charismatic Senator who won the White House.


“Why do we think it will be any different with a first-term U.S. Senator from Florida who, quite frankly, doesn’t show up to work anymore?” Christie said Thursday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“We've had seven years with a guy who was gifted, who could give a great speech,” Bush told NBC News’ Kelly O’Donnell. “But he's divided the country, he has no leadership skills and I think we need someone now to fix the mess in Washington than just perpetuate it.”

Bush described Rubio as a “gifted” politician, “but what has done?”

The interview statements were accompanied by anti-Rubio attacks from both candidates’ social media accounts.

Bush, Christie and Rubio are all competing to consolidate the support of the Republican establishment, hoping that will catapult them ahead of Donald Trump--who has consistently led the field in New Hampshire by about 20 percentage points in pre-Iowa polls--and Sen. Ted Cruz, Monday night’s winner.

In New Hampshire polls, Rubio and Bush have both polled consistently in the low teens, while Christie has typically polled between 5 and 8 percentage points.

Rubio characterized the intensifying attacks from Bush and Christie as a sign of their impending exit from the campaign.

“This is what happens at the end of a campaign,” he said, emphasizing that the New Hampshire primary is just five days away. “There are candidates who aren't doing well that are going to start to lash out. They think it might help them. I'm focused on the future of America.”

Eliza Collins contributed to this report.