Three years ago, Barbara Bush expressed her opposition to a presidential bid from her son Jeb, telling NBC: "There are other people out there that are very qualified and we've had enough Bushes."
Now, she's the star of one of Jeb's closing spots.
Then Barbara, whose nickname is "The Enforcer," coolly twists the knife into Jeb’s more showy opponents: "When push comes to shove people are going to realize Jeb has real solutions, rather than talking about how popular they are, how great they are."
Setting Jeb up as the adult in the room, she closes: "He's doing it because he sees a huge need and it's not being filled by anybody. Of all the people running, he seems to be the one who could solve the problems. I think he'll be a great president."
The ad is paired with a direct mail piece of a handwritten letter by Barbara, in which she explains why she changed her mind about his campaign: "People ask me if I wanted Jeb to run. The answer was no as the sacrifice for his family was huge. I changed my mind as it became clear that he is needed. I admit to being prejudiced, as I am his mother."
Neither former president named Bush is an easy surrogate for the Jeb campaign to use: George H. W. Bush remains reviled by conservatives for his tax increase and George W. Bush's reputation remains bruised by the Iraq war, Katrina and the financial market crash. But Barbara Bush is the most popular living former First Lady in America. If the family name still has any punch left, Barbara is the one who is going to deliver it.
Now, she's the star of one of Jeb's closing spots.
Barbara Bush Stars In New Jeb Bush Ad
Barbara gives her testimonial over images of Jeb with his extended family and of him at work literally rolling up his sleeves. She begins with what any mother might say about her son: "Jeb has been a very good father. A wonderful son. A hard worker. His heart is big."Then Barbara, whose nickname is "The Enforcer," coolly twists the knife into Jeb’s more showy opponents: "When push comes to shove people are going to realize Jeb has real solutions, rather than talking about how popular they are, how great they are."
Setting Jeb up as the adult in the room, she closes: "He's doing it because he sees a huge need and it's not being filled by anybody. Of all the people running, he seems to be the one who could solve the problems. I think he'll be a great president."
The ad is paired with a direct mail piece of a handwritten letter by Barbara, in which she explains why she changed her mind about his campaign: "People ask me if I wanted Jeb to run. The answer was no as the sacrifice for his family was huge. I changed my mind as it became clear that he is needed. I admit to being prejudiced, as I am his mother."
Donald Trump Mocks Barbara Bush
The ad was quickly mocked by its implicit target: Donald Trump. He tweeted: "Just watched Jeb's ad where he desperately needed mommy to help him. Jeb --- mom can't help you with ISIS, the Chinese or with Putin" But Jeb had good reason to turn to his mom.Neither former president named Bush is an easy surrogate for the Jeb campaign to use: George H. W. Bush remains reviled by conservatives for his tax increase and George W. Bush's reputation remains bruised by the Iraq war, Katrina and the financial market crash. But Barbara Bush is the most popular living former First Lady in America. If the family name still has any punch left, Barbara is the one who is going to deliver it.