Pro-Bush Group Attacks His GOP Rivals
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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A group supporting Republican Jeb Bush is invoking U.S. national security in a new ad attacking three of Bush's GOP presidential rivals.
The 30-second spot alludes to the heightened state of alert in the U.S., based on the Islamic State-backed attack last month in Paris. The narrator describes Donald Trump as "impulsive and reckless." A news release about the ad from the group Right to Rise USA says Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio lack the "experience and knowledge" to be president.
It faults Cruz for opposing the meta-data collection program aimed at gleaning possible terrorism connections in the United States. And it cites Rubio for having "skipped crucial national security hearings and votes in the Senate."
The rip at Rubio has been one Bush has often alluded to while campaigning. But he has stopped short of criticizing his onetime protege directly.
The ad narrator also states that more than two dozen generals and admirals support Bush, "because Jeb has the experience and knowledge to protect your family."
Bush has lagged behind them and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson in national and early voting state polls, despite being backed by Right to Rise, a group that raised more than $100 million this year and raise and spend unlimited sums.
The ad comes within 24 hours of Trump's call for halting immigration of people who are Muslim. It will begin airing Tuesday in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two states to vote next year, as well as South Carolina and Nevada, which also hold February contests.
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