Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush gave South Carolina voters insight into how he prepares for debates with Donald Trump.
Bush said a key takeaway of his debate preparation is that he must not only confront Trump head on, but it’s also important that he has the final say.
“The conclusion is when you debate a guy like Trump you have to have the last word because he’s a bully,” Bush said. “It’s not a skill set I ever envisioned to be president of the United States, but I’ve gotten better at it.”
Bush continued to argue that all bullies must be confronted and detailed how he intended to do so with Trump going forward.
“I for one do not think he should hijack our party,” Bush said to applause in Leesville, S.C. “He’s not a conservative.”
A super PAC supporting the former governor’s campaign has bolstered the governor’s attacks by pushing ads in South Carolina reinforcing the claim that Trump is not a conservative. One ad from Right to Rise features a melting ice sculpture of Trump that is accompanied by a slogan that says, “If Trump wins, conservatives lose.”
Bush, who ranks fifth in the Washington Examiner‘s newest GOP presidential power rankings out of six candidates, has campaigned in the Palmetto State alongside his brother, former President George W. Bush, and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.
