The Des Moines Register is reporting that Jeb Bush's flailing Iowa campaign is canceling it television ad buys in Iowa. 

From the Register:

Jeb Bush's campaign is canceling its Iowa television advertising buy and shifting money to double staff on the ground in January, the final month before the high-stakes Iowa caucuses.

The news will raise questions about whether the former Florida governor might pull out of Iowa given his fifth-place status here, with just 6 percent support of likely GOP caucusgoers.

That's not the case, Bush campaign manager Danny Diaz told The Des Moines Register.

The number of Iowa paid staffers who make personal contact with voters will be boosted from 11 to more than 20, including its Hispanic outreach director, he said.

. . . Diaz said the campaign is removing $3 million in previously reserved TV time: an Iowa buy of about $1 million and a January buy in South Carolina of about $2 million. It's instead increasing direct voter contact with a total of 60 additional staffers.

Bush's Right to Rise PAC has spent heavily in the early states - especially New Hampshire. So far, polling has suggested that while the Bush campaign and his PAC have far outspent his rivals, the ads have not had the desired impact.

Right to Rise continues to have ads in the early primary and caucus states.

See the Des Moines Register story here.

This comes on the heels of reports today that Bush is essentially closing his Miami headquarters and moving almost all of the staff there to early primary states.

Both moves suggest the campaign is deeply worried and abandoning what it once thought was an winning strategy.

Is it too little too late?

During a question and answer session at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Jeb Bush was asked what he would say to Donald Trump - whose winter palace is a few miles away, if he were there.

Bush, not missing a beat, said, "I'd say, Donald, I'll take you on one-on-one, in a debate. Any time. Any place."

Which of course begs the question - who would fair better in such a debate? 

Bush tried to take on Marco Rubio during one of the presidential debates and it backfired badly. And the former Florida governor has not done much better with Trump.

Still, perhaps Bush would do better if was just him and Trump. 

If nothing else, it would be entertaining.

While Jeb Bush was asked a number of serious policy questions during his appearance before nearly 900 members and guests today at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Bush became his most animated when he was asked how the selfie has affected campaigning.

Bush's campaign enjoyed the moment so much that it has been turned Bush's answer into one of the campaign's series of Jeb Unfiltered videos. "The Selfie is now the 11th Amendment of the Bill of Rights," says Bush. ". . .It's a requirement that you take one and I do it with great joy in my heart."

It is actually a very amusing moment for Bush who goes on to describe how selfies should be taken and who is better at taking them.   The other notable thing about his speech was he never uttered the "T" word until he was asked a question about Donald Trump.

Jeb Bush makes his second Florida stop today in West Palm Beach where he will speak to nearly 900 members and guests of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches.

The non-partisan Forum Club will likely likely lean toward a significant number of Republican members and guests eager to hear the former Florida governor who was once an icon among Florida Republicans.

This morning, Bush visited a Cuban restaurant in Hialeah where he was cheered by a welcoming crowd of supporters. After his speech at the Forum Club, Bush will attend a town hall meeting in Ocala.

Bush continued to berate Donald Trump while in Hialeah. Bush once again called Trump "not a serious candidate"   who gets his foreign policy advise from Sunday talk shows.

Bush's speech in West Palm Beach is just a few miles away from Trump's Palm Beach winter home. A third GOP presidential candidate, Ben Carson lives in West Palm Beach. 

On Tuesday, Bush returns to the campaign trail in New Hampshire where his Right to Rise Pac is spending another $14 million on television ads in the Granite State. Bush has far outspent his opponents in the hope of finishing strong in New Hampshire.

Crowley Political Report will be doing live updates on Bush's speech on Twitter @crowleyreport

Jeb Bush has three events Monday in the Sunshine State where he is likely to receive an enthusiastic welcome from fellow Floridians. The GOP presidential candidate has been struggling to push ahead of front runner Donald Trump. Even in his home state, where Bush was Governor from 1999 to 2007, polls suggest that Bush is doing the better than fourth.

Florida's March 15 primary seems far away as candidates battle in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Political strategists believe Bush must do very well in New Hampshire if he is to have any chance of winning the nomination. 

Bush begins Monday in Hialeah morning stop at Chico's Restaurant. Then Bush travels to West Palm Beach where he will speak to the Forum Club of the Palm Beach. More than 700 tickets have already been sold for luncheon at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. That number is expected to grow higher.

Later that afternoon, Bush will attend a Town Hall at Circle Square Commons in Ocala. Bush will be answering questions from folks at all three events. 

Since the last Republican debate, voters have seen a much more aggressive Bush with his number one target being Trump. Expect that to continue during these three appearances.

 Clearly Right to Rise, the Jeb Bush PAC, has had a Vulcan mind meld with the Bush campaign. Both are aggressively attacking Donald Trump as if Trump is the only candidate left in the Republican presidential primary.

Surely it is just a coincidence.

This video, the second in as many days, takes snippets of Bush's comments at the last debate, and uses facial reactions from Trump to make Trump look silly.

The topics include Trump being a "chaos candidate," and Trump comments on ISIS, Hillary Clinton, and where he learns about foreign policy. 

Toward the end of the ad, Bush's debate challenge to Trump is repeated: "Donald you are not going to be able to insult you way to the presidency. That's not gonna happen."

Interestingly, today Bush insulted Trump again calling him a "jerk" at a morning appearance in New Hampshire. Bush has also called Trump "unhinged" and as he frequently repeats, "the chaos candidate."

Apparently Bush does believe you can insult your way to the GOP nomination.

Will Bush's effort to focus on Trump pull the billionaire real estate mogul off the top of the polls?

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There seems to be a bit of an odd juxtaposition in this new Right to Rise ad for Jeb Bush. The 30 second ad start with a voice over saying , "one candidate tough enough to take on the bully." The screen splits showing  Donald Trump and Bush who says, "Donald, you are not going to be able to insult your way to the presidency. That's not going to happen."

Then the announcer says: "One candidate tough enough to take on ISIS."

Let's pause for a screeching halt here. From Trump to ISIS? Really?

Oh my.

The ad continues with scenes of crowds, bombs dropping, an American flag, and more from Bush.

Clearly the ad is trying to convince voters that Bush is one tough hombre.

It remains interesting that Bush, who has called Trump "unhinged" and the "chaos candidate" believes one cannot "insult your way to the presidency."

Right to Rise ads have largely proven ineffective. After spending more than $30 million on ads, Bush's poll numbers have dropped. 

Will this ad help Bush?

 Jeb bush's new video starts with this question - "What makes us who we are?"

It is a question that Bush has been struggling to answer since he launched his campaign for president. Recent polls suggest that Bush is largely an after thought, if that, for many Republican voters.

Still, Bush clings to the notion that when all is said and done, Republicans will reject Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson and all the rest of the GOP field in favor of someone who last held public office 9 years ago.

If Bush is right, it would be one of the biggest comeback stories in modern politics. 

While this ad suggests that Bush is the only one who can take on ISIS, Bush has a more pressing concern at tonight's debate in Las Vegas - proving he can take on Trump and the rest of the field.

Not sure what impact this will have in Iowa or New Hampshire but perhaps it will help Jeb Bush shore up support in Florida. 

JEB BUSH’S STATEMENT ON THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN VENEZUELA

Miami, FL – Governor Jeb Bush released the following statement today, regarding the upcoming elections in Venezuela.

“Instead of standing up for democracy, free elections, and the rule of law in Venezuela, President Obama and Secretary Clinton have acquiesced to dictators like Chavez and Maduro whose regime of criminality, corruption, and narcotrafficking threatens Venezuela, the Western Hemisphere, and our own interests.  The eyes of the world this Sunday will be on Venezuela as people seek to overcome the Maduro regime’s campaign of intimidation and criminality to demand their rightful stake in their future.  As President, I will stand with the people of Venezuela and the region as they seek to build a freer and more prosperous future.”

###

Copyright @CrowleyPoliticalReport

It has become almost pointless to continue to note that national polls mean very little because the dynamic of how polls are being used this year make quality far less important than the buzz caused by the never-ending cycle of polls. Clearly this dubious enterprise has been grand for Donald Trump and a nightmare for Jeb Bush who must keep explaining to donors why he is in single digits.

Today's Quinnipiac Poll creates this narrative: nothing Trump does seems to hurt him; Marco Rubio's strength is growing; Bush continues to struggle.

Trump: 27

Rubio: 17

Carson: 16

Cruz: 16

Bush: 5

All others 3 or less.

8 percent undecided.

 "It doesn't seem to matter what he says or who he offends, whether the facts are contested or the 'political correctness' is challenged, Donald Trump seems to be wearing Kevlar," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

"Dr. Ben Carson, moving to center stage just one month ago, now needs some CPR. The Doctor sinks. The Donald soars. The GOP, 11 months from the election, has to be thinking, 'This could be the guy.'

From November 23 - 30, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,453 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The survey includes 672 Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points and 573 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points.

 Read more about the poll here.

Jeb Bush comes to West Palm Beach on December 28 to speak to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. This is a non-partisan group that brings national speakers to its luncheons.

Speakers get questions from the audience with the first two questions coming from students who attend nearby high schools or universities. It is not unusual for more than 800 South Florida political, business and community leaders to attend. 

Here's the announcement:

Presidential Contender and

Former Governor Jeb Bush

Monday, Dec. 28th, 2015

Jeb Bush brings his campaign to be President of the United States to the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches on Dec. 28.  This will be his first time addressing the organization since he served as governor.

Even though it is the holidays, we anticipate a large turnout.  Please order your reserved tickets and tables today by calling Administrator Wendy Norris at: (561) 881-9977.

Bush served as governor of Florida from 1999 through 2007, making him the third Republican elected to the state’s highest office and the first Republican in the state’s history to be reelected.

During his two terms, he cut $19 billion in taxes, vetoed more than $2 billion in earmarks and reduced the state government workforce by 13,000.  Among his accomplishments was an overhaul of the state’s education system.

Following his time as governor, Bush returned to the private sector and devoted his time to issues he is passionate about, including educational reform.

In 2013, he authored Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution  with leading constitutional litigator Clint Bolick, outlining a conservative reform strategy to fix the nation’s broken immigration system.

            TICKETS, TIME & LOCATION

The Forum Club’s Dec. 28 luncheon with former Gov. Jeb Bush will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. *Note location. Buffet lines open at11:15 a.m.

PHONE AND MAILING ADDRESS:. Order your reserved tables and tickets today either by calling in your order to Administrator Wendy Norris: (561) 881-9977 or mailing a check to the Forum Club: P.O. Box 14877, North Palm Beach, FL  33408. Tickets cannot be purchased online.  All tickets must be paid by check at the time of the order.  No credit cards.

*NOTE TICKET PRICES: member tickets, $40; guest tickets ordered by members, $50;  applicant tickets, $50; public tickets, $75.    Reserved tables of 10 ordered by a member, $450.  Student tables, $300. 

Jeb Bush told a packed gathering of Florida Republicans that the presidential election is "not about the big personalities on the stage."

Giving an energetic verbal resume focused on his 8 years as Florida's governor, Bush repeated a central theme of his campaign, that his experience governing is what the nation needs in the White House.

"If you want a talker maybe I'm not the one," he said. "But if you want a doer, someone who got things done, then I'm your guy."

Bush's speech had none of the force or passion of earlier speakers like Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz. But Bush seems to have simply conceded that "it not about the one who can give the best quip."

Before his speech, a two-minute video using Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as foils aired.

While the crowd or more than a 1,000 at times cheered, Bush seemed to receive a less enthusiastic respond than Rubio and Cruz.

Some highlights from Bush's speech:

He talked about being a candidate for governor in 1998, and visiting schools where "listening and learning" helped him lead the state.

"Life is a gift from God that is divinely inspired from beginning to end."

"I took on the teachers union."

"In Washington you have gridlock...where even when they agree nothing happens."

"I will balance the budget."

He promised to ask for a "line item veto" and bring back "veto Corleone."

"We wil have tax reform in a way that will lower taxes for people."

"The most vulnerable in our society need to be in the front of the line not the back of the line."

Marco Rubio got cheers today when he told Florida Republicans, "we don't have any socialists running...and none of our candidates are under investigation by the FBI."

Rubio, the first presidential candidate speaking at the Sunshine Summit, took his shot at Democrats Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton near the start of his speech.

Sanders acknowledges being a socialist, while the FBI has apparently begun an investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server while secretary of state.

Rubio said he is the first presidential candidate to sign papers to become a candidate in the Florida primary.  "I had to bring my ID," he said.

Often stern, Rubio warned that America is "running out of time....both parties are too blame for this road we are on."

In an indirect shot at former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Rubio noted that he, "does not come a from rich and powerful family."

Giving much of his stump speech, Rubio talked about threats around the world ("a lunatic in North Korea...a gangster in Moscow"), a weakened military, the national debt, and his plans to fix it all.

Othere highligts:

"Religious liberty is not just the right to believe whatever you want but the right to exercise it at work and at home."

"We must always be the party that protects and defends the Second Amendment"

"Limited government, free enterprise, strong families....if we are not for those things than nobody is for those things."

ubio was cheered repeated and received a standing ovation after his speech.

Moments away from today's start of the Florida Republican Party's Sunshine Summit, folks are strolling by an assortment of candidate booths with some interesting choices for the GOP faithful.

Marco Rubio's booth looks like a discount clothing store packed with wearable items for those who support Florida's junior U.S. Senator. 

While sales of Rubio-wear seemed less than brisk, the handing out of Rubio stickers by this young woman appeared to be doing well.

Mere feet away is the very popular life-size image of Ben Carson. Lots of folks paused for pictures.

Several of the booths have candy. Perhaps the oddest choice was at the Jeb Bush booth - Skittles. Skittles? Pray tell what image should one take from that. And for hard-core Hillary Clinton haters, a booth selling bumper stickers offers this:
Crowley Political Report will be here all day.

Tonight, after former Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the Republican Party of Florida's Statesman's Dinner, home state Senator Marco Rubio will speak to the party faithful. But some folks are wondering - why Jeb Bush isn't speaking tonight?

After all, Rubio will also be among the presidential candidates speaking at the Republican Party's Sunshine Summit Friday. So why not Bush tonight? 

This would seem to be an awkward moment for Florida Republicans who are already struggling with choosing between Rubio and Bush for the GOP nomination. This is a party that once found great unity in its mutual affection for both men before they became competitors.

Another rumor is that Bush did not want to share a stage with Cheney after the former veep got trashed by Bush's dad. 

Apparently, it is all much ado about nothing.

Bush's campaign spokesman Tim Miller told Crowley Political Report  in an email that Bush was invited to speak tonight but was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict.

Bush will be onstage tomorrow.

Yes it is an odd name for a PAC, but Baby Got PAC is backed by a multi-millionaire supporting Marco Rubio.

The first ad, which is below, is expected air tonight on Fox Business ahead of the Republican presidential debate. 

GOP rich guy John Jordan is behind the PAC. The ad was put together by Florida political consultant Rick Wilson. 

The ad starts with a gloomy "a world gone out of control" approach and then asks "and they wonder why we're angry?"

Next the ad says Baby Got PAC had to decide "which conservative candidate to support." It quickly dismisses Ted Cruz, Donald Trump and Ben Carson.  (Note the ad does not mention Jeb Bush).

Instead, the ad suggests the answers comes from the Democrats - the candidate the fear most.

And not just any Democrat. 

Hillary Clinton.

See for yourself.

Jenny Rogers, Assistant Editor of Outlook for the Washington Post Tweeted today that "these five myths on Jeb Bush, written by @crowleyreport back in June, are feeling relevant right now."

The Washington Post story looks at these myths:

1. Jeb Bush is a moderate.

2 George is the dumb one, Jeb is the smart one.

3. Bush is Marco Rubio's mentor

4. Bush will campaign "joyfully."

5. He has broad support in Florida.

Each myth is explored and some might suggest the myths predicted the future.

Read the Crowley Political Report 5 myths story in the Washington Post here.

A good start as we enter tonight Republican presidential debate on FOX Business, a debate many believe could set the tone for the future of Bush's campaign.

There is no question that the love affair between Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush is a tad strained. Jeb Bush's Right to Rise PAC is about to launch a series of attacks on Rubio that suggest just how desperate the Bush has become to eek out higher poll numbers.

In what is certainly an effort to remind voters that Jeb once loved Marco, the Rubio campaign put out this video today.

Their fight for the Republican presidential nomination is becoming increasingly bitter.

Nothing is more hurtful than a torn Valentine.

Dubbed, "Before the phony attacks" the video reminds us about all the kind things Bush said about Rubio.

While it is greatly exaggerated to say Bush, as governor, was a mentor to House Speaker Rubio, there was a strong political love affair.

Not anymore.

Just as Jeb Bush is trying to prove he can "fix it," his four-day old campaign re-boot is getting dragged into a controversy begun by none other than his father - George H. W. Bush.

In a new, authorized biography in which the former president provided interviews and access to his personal diaries, 41 calls former Vice President Dick Cheney an "iron ass," sharply criticizes Cheney's oversize role in the White House and finally - blames his first son for not controlling Cheney.

Ouch!

And Dad is equally harsh with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld describing him as an  “arrogant fellow” who  “served the president badly.”

Jeb's campaign is already being hit with questions and it is certainly not helpful that Cheney, Rumsfeld, his brother and Iraq are once again a focus of attention as Jeb struggles to hold his donors together, win support for a flagging campaign and prepare for Tuesday's Republican presidential debate.

This will not be a book easily dismissed. Pulitzer Prize winning author Jon Meacham, worked closely with George and Barbara Bush in  researching the biography - Destiny and Power: The American Odyssey of George Herbert Walker Bush.

The New York Times received an early copy of the book, published by Random House and on sale next week.

According to the Times -  In interviews with his biographer, Mr. Bush said that Mr. Cheney had built “his own empire” and asserted too much “hard-line” influence within George W. Bush’s White House in pushing for the use of force around the world. Read more here.

While Jeb has steadfastly defended his brother, Dad is a tad more blunt.

Marco Rubio moved into third place - at 13 percent -  in a Monmouth University poll of Republican primary voters in New Hampshire.  Jeb Bush was supported by 7 percent of those who participated in the poll.

Still leading is Donald Trump, 26 percent; followed by Ben Carson, 16 percent.

From the Monmouth:

Donald Trump maintains his sizable lead in the New Hampshire Republican primary and Ben Carson holds onto second place, but the latest Monmouth University Poll has found a new occupant in the 3rd place slot – Marco Rubio.

GOP primary voters are also unhappy with the recent budget deal reached by Congress, and their ire is directed at both parties.

One-in-four (26%) likely GOP primary voters in New Hampshire continue to back Donald Trump for the presidential nomination.

Ben Carson (16%) places second and Marco Rubio (13%) comes in third, followed closely by John Kasich (11%).

Other contenders include Ted Cruz (9%), Jeb Bush (7%), Carly Fiorina (5%), Chris Christie (5%), and Rand Paul (3%).

None of the other six candidates included in the poll registers higher than 1%.