Bush explains new "Jeb can fix it" slogan
At the Tampa Garden Club in his home state of Florida on Monday, former Gov. Jeb Bush explained his new 2016 campaign slogan, "Jeb Can Fix It."
"After seven years of incompetence, corruption and gridlock in Washington, we need a president who can fix it," he said. "I can fix it... After seven years of massive deficits, historic debt, and a president who vetoes defense spending because he wants more reckless spending, we need a president who fixes our budgetary mess. I can fix it."
The governor, whose poll numbers have idled in the single-digits for months, rolled out the new slogan late last week after a lackluster debate performance and reports of restless campaign donors. Since then, Bush and his campaign team have been busy convincing reporters that Bush is still in it to win it.
On Tampa on Monday, it sounded as if Bush's new motto applies to his campaign strategy as much as it does to his approach to governing.
"I am running this campaign on my own terms," he told the audience there. "And let me tell you something: when the dust clears, and the delegates are counted, we will win this campaign. I will be true to myself, optimistic and inclusive."
Bush said he's gotten "more than enough" outside advice about how to reinvigorate his campaign.
"Some is stylistic. Take off the suit coat. Ditch the glasses. Get rid of the purple striped tie," he said. "Some advice is more strategic. Nail that zinger. Be angrier. Hide your inner wonk."
However, he continued, "I have learned two important things from my time serving the people of Florida: One, I can't be someone I'm not. And, two, getting things done isn't about yelling into a camera, or regurgitating sound bites free of substance."
Monday marked the beginning of a four-day campaign trip for Bush across Florida, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. While on the road, Bush said he'll "tell the Florida story -- the story of a big, diverse state, shaped by conservative, results-oriented leadership."
