In new ad, Jeb Bush blasts John Kasich over not-so-conservative record

Jeb bush john kasich ad

In the days before the crucial New Hampshire presidential primary, Republican governors battle it out on the airwaves over their respective conservative bona fides.

A new ad from Jeb Bush takes aim at fellow Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich for lacking a conservative record like Bush built during two terms as Florida’s executive-in-chief.

The attack follows Kasich’s well-received performance at Friday’s ABC News GOP debate.

“No Comparison,” is a nearly 90-second ad comparing Kasich’s record to Bush’s on several issues, suggesting Bush is far more conservative than Kasich.

On guns, the Bush ad points out that as a congressman, Kasich voted in 1994 to ban assault weapons. In contrast, Bush, “earned an A-plus rating from the NRA.”

The ad blasts Kasich efforts to expand Medicaid in Ohio, with Bush saying, “I don’t think we should be expanding a broken insurance system.”

A clip shows a younger Kasich saying, “I spent an entire career trying to reign in defense spending,” followed by Bush responding, “We need to rebuild the military. As president I will be a commander-in-chief that will have the back of the military.”

The ad also notes that the Cato Institute ranked Kasich a D rating for his state budget, versus Florida under Bush with the addition of 1.3 million jobs, 4.4 percent growth and eight balanced budgets.

“That is a conservative record,” said Fox News host Sean Hannity.

In an interview on Sunday, Kasich called the ad “desperation.”

Phil Ammann

Phil Ammann is a Tampa Bay-area journalist, editor and writer. With more than three decades of writing, editing, reporting and management experience, Phil produced content for both print and online, in addition to founding several specialty websites, including HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government, entertainment reviews, marketing and an advice column. Phil has served as editor and production manager for Extensive Enterprises Media since 2013 and lives in Tampa with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul. He can be reached on Twitter @PhilAmmann or at [email protected].



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