Rubio super PAC targets Bush

Conservative Solutions PAC telegraphed the hit on Friday in a press release it issued that was critical of Bush’s record. The group, which is saturating the Palmetto State with television, digital and direct-mail advertising ahead of Saturday’s primary election there, added the Bush spot to its rotation this week. Conservative Solutions PAC had already been on the air with attack ads targeting Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another top Rubio rival in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

“Jeb Bush is using scorched-earth attacks on fellow Republicans,” the voiceover says, as the new, 30-second, Conservative Solutions PAC ad opens. “What? Bush can’t defend his liberal record; supporting Common Core and the Wall Street bailout. Bush can’t defend his private sector experience — making millions from a company that promotes Obamacare. All Bush has is the past, so he attacks. Jeb Bush, bad ideas, not the answer for our future.”

Rubio, a Florida senator and previously a Bush ally, have been engaged in an increasingly personal and bitter campaign to consolidate support in the GOP primary — especially among major donors. That’s something that is difficult for either to do as long as both remain in the race. It’s among the reasons Bush’s independent super PAC, Right to Rise USA, has targeted Rubio with millions of dollars in attack ads since late last year.

The Bush campaign dismissed the Conservative Solutions PAC attack as false advertising and an concession that the former Florida governor is surging. In particular, the Bush campaign took issue that the governor profited off of Obamacare, noting that such attacks were previously discredited.

“Marco’s PAC knows that Jeb is surging so they are airing old, discredited attacks against us rather than take on Trump which Marco has been afraid to do the entire campaign,” Bush spokesman Tim Miller said.

Rubio is currently third on the Washington Examiner‘s presidential power rankings. Bush is fifth.