"If you people go with Bush, you’re going to lose."

[seafan]

Proclaims Donald 'the populist' Trump in Phoenix on July 11, 2015.

Yet for all his ego-stroking, self-congratulatory rhetoric and his absurd policy prescriptions, Donald Trump is striking a chord with frustrated and anxious conservative voters.

On Saturday, Trump spoke to an overflow crowd of thousands of supporters at the Phoenix Convention Center. Sure, a few hecklers briefly interrupted the Trump love fest, attempting to unfurl a banner in the midst of the crowd before they were apparently escorted out of the event. However, overall, the large crowd was filled with admirers who boisterously cheered Trump’s every pronouncement, no matter how bizarre the words he spoke were.

Not only did Trump attract an enthusiastic crowd to Phoenix, but Saturday morning a Reuters-Ipsos Poll found that Trump was tied with Jeb Bush for first place in the Republican presidential field. Trump of course leveled multiple attacks at Bush during his Phoenix speech. He took the occasion to depict Jeb Bush as stupid, feckless and a weak negotiator who would fold in about two seconds and who “lobbyists push around like a piece of candy.”

.....

....Actually, Jeb is hosting 300 of his favorite mega donors at the family compound in Kennebunkport this weekend. Lots of candy all around.

Trump’s phony populism has exploited conservative voters’ distrust of the GOP mainstream to his political advantage. In the process, he represents a direct threat to Jeb Bush, whose conservative family is too much a part of the political establishment to earn the loyalty of disgruntled conservative voters. Trump’s speech took aim at Jeb Bush several times, and at one point he told the crowd:

If you people go with Bush, you’re going to lose.

Judging by the crowd’s reaction, it was apparent they believed him. Now to be fair, the group of people assembled to hear Trump speak in Phoenix was hardly representative of the general population or even the GOP primary base. Candidate events tend to draw supporters rather than a broad cross-section of the party. Nevertheless, given the size and the enthusiasm of the crowd in Phoenix, and Trump’s current strong polling numbers, Jeb Bush and the rest of the GOP field had better beware. In the conservative universe, the Trump bump is starting to look all too real.

John Sununu, in an interview with Yahoo News:

You also said to Larry King that Jeb is like his mother. Why?

I think Jeb is a little bit more (long pause) — less, less forgiving of slights by others. Barbara is the tough — if somebody attacks George Herbert Walker Bush, Barbara remembers that forever. And I think Jeb has a little of that.

The understatement of the century, for the thin-skinned Jebberish is about to blow his stack.





Shoulda listened to your momma, Jeb.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Who kisses their mom on the lips?

That's a disqualifier right there.

[LiberalElite]

2. Momma

changed her mind earlier this year: http://www.mediaite.com/online/barbara-bush-changes-her-mind-about-enough-bushes-in-the-white-house/

[seafan]

3. That's true, but they always say that your first instinct is the correct one.

Momma shoulda listened to Momma.

We’ve had enough Bushes.” To top it off she added, “He’ll get all our enemies and half our friends.”

[tularetom]

4. Thanks for burning that goddamn picture into my retina

Oddly enough, I find myself agreeing with Trump once in awhile these days. The last thing this country needs is another Bush.

[seafan]

7. Truly sorry. You'll need a pair of these...

Is IS scary when you find yourself agreeing with Donald Trump on anything, though.

It won't be only conservatives who will lose if Jeb cheats his way into the White House, using the same battle-tested methods when serving as his brother's accomplice.

It will be the entire world.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. Trump spoke to an overflow crown of thousands

According to this mornings Arizona Daily Star there were approx 4,500 in attendance.

A few days ago, team Bernie announced that he would be holding a town hall in Phoenix. They had booked a room at the Hayatt that would hold 2,500. Registration to attend started at about 9:30 A.M. My wife and I were rsvp # 4&5. By noon they had to change the venue to a place that holds 5,000. There are still seven days to go before the event. I'm hoping they will have
to change the venue again. We will see.

[seafan]

8. Great news to hear, and keep us posted! nt

[Motown_Johnny]

6. These are the kind of statements that make me think

he might run third party.

Given his ego, how can he stand to lose to someone he considers a loser?

[seafan]

9. You may be right. I don't see him exiting quietly either. nt

[Betty Karlson]

11. Pretty please! That would make a 50 state strategy really pay off! eom

[BainsBane]

10. They aren't going to go with Bush or Trump

Chances are it will end up being Walker.