Jeb Bush restructures his campaign
Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush is restructuring his campaign- cutting staff and salaries - as donors worry about his poor performance in polls.
A campaign memo obtained by CBS News described the "aggressive changes" to the campaign structure and spelled out the cuts taking place. They include reducing payroll costs by 40 percent beginning this week, cutting salaries across the board but largely sparing entry-level staff, reducing travel costs by 20 percent, and downsizing staff in Bush's Miami headquarters.
When his restructuring is complete, only 25 percent of the staff will remain in Miami. Some staff will work in early-voting states, while others will be absorbed into "ballot access efforts at a reduced salary," according to the memo.
"We are making changes today to ensure Jeb is best positioned to win the nomination and general election." Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell told CBS News. "We will use the campaign's best asset - Jeb Bush - and put him in front of as many voters as possible. "
According to the document, Bush will make more frequent and longer trips to the Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada in an effort to get the Florida candidate in front of voters. They will be putting a special emphasis on increasing the New Hampshire operation. The campaign currently has 38 field staffers and 8 offices in those four states with 12 paid staffers in New Hampshire alone. Campbell added, "We are moving our resources into the states to ensure that voters in primary and caucus states are introduced to his record and vision for the future."
On Thursday Bush was pressed by Fox News host Megyn Kelly about what it would take for him to exit the race. "I'm not getting out," he replied adding, "We have a plan to be very competitive in the early states," and "we have the resources to stay with this." From the beginning of July to the end of September, the campaign raised $13.4 million and spent $11.5 million, a burn rate of about 86 percent.
The Florida Republican along with his brother President George W. Bush, and father, President George H.W. Bush will all attend a donor event on Sunday and Monday in Houston, Texas.