Bush ad

Full-page Bush ad takes aim at Rubio

By Kyle Cheney

If Marco Rubio's so great, why do so many Florida leaders prefer Jeb Bush?

That's the message that will greet readers of New Hampshire's Union Leader on Wednesday morning, courtesy of a full-page ad paid for by the Bush campaign that features an open letter from eight of the 10 most recent Republican speakers of the Florida House.

"While Senator Rubio is a tremendous political talent, he is not the best choice to serve as Commander-in-Chief," the speakers write. "Nearly every political leader in Florida of stature who knows Marco and Jeb’s records have joined us in endorsing Governor Bush."

The ad, in a paper influential with New Hampshire Republicans, comes at a time when Bush risks a knockout blow to his campaign should he lose substantially to Rubio in the state with the nation's first presidential primary. In the ad, the former speakers say they "like and admire" Rubio but prefer Bush as president.

"Take it from the people who know Marco and Jeb best: Governor Bush is the leader we need to make America safer, stronger and freer," they conclude. The letter is signed by Allan Bense Dean Cannon, Larry Cretul, Steve Crisafulli, Tom Feeney, John Thrasher and Will Weatherford.

One of the two recent speakers who didn't sign? Rubio, who led the state House from 2006 to 2008.

Rubio is working to close off paths to the Republican nomination for Bush, as well as the other two governors running, Chris Christie and John Kasich, by convincing New Hampshire voters that he's the only contender who can present a viable challenge to the supremacy of Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. Bush, Christie and Kasich have all largely staked their campaigns on strong performances in New Hampshire — and they've been locked closely in recent polls with Rubio.

But Rubio had a breakout night in Iowa on Monday, finishing in third but only narrowly behind Trump. That momentum, he hopes, will coalesce establishment oriented Republicans around his campaign.

As a result of his momentum, Rubio found himself facing a withering assault from his rivals for establishment backing here in New Hampshire, as well as from Ted Cruz, the winner of Monday's Iowa caucuses.