Jeb Bush: How Much Longer Can He Hold On?

About a year ago at this time, Jeb Bush was emerging as the no-doubt candidate for the Republican Party. Few other significant suitors had joined the race while Bush appealed to several sponsors, and the nomination from the RNC seemed to be Bush’s to lose.

One year later, Bush has found himself in a much different situation.

Not only have politically experienced candidates like Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz been able to surpass him with their rhetoric, but outsiders like Donald Trump, Ben Carson, and Carly Fiorina have risen to the top of the polls thanks to frustration with the American political system, which Bush seems to embody. In debates, Bush appears indecisive and weak, seeming to personify the ineffectual political system, both domestically and internationally.

Though Bush’s most recent debate on December 15^th demonstrated a clear improvement from the previous debate seven weeks earlier, it still will not be enough to sway voters. While Trump continues to attract Republican voters with his isolationist and protectionist views and Ted Cruz maintains his agenda on immigration, Bush has remained, for the most part, noncommittal in the debates.

The fact of the matter is that Bush does have something to offer. His moderate position on the political spectrum demonstrates that he will be able to maintain links between both parties. Bush has presented some effective arguments on immigration, and his extensive political experience is definitely important. He has the makings of a good candidate, but he simply has not been able to compete with the leaders of the polls and their much more conservative agendas.

Unless Bush can take some decisive campaign actions over the next few weeks, his campaign may be over. His next debate on January 14^th may be his final chance to prove himself on a national scale.