Jeb Bush dubs Donald Trump ‘a jerk’ at New Hampshire rally

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/20/jeb-bush-calls-donald-trump-a-jerk-at-rally

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Jeb Bush has followed his advice to Donald Trump that “you can’t insult your way to the presidency” by calling Trump a jerk.

Bush, speaking at a town hall meeting in New Hampshireon Saturday, railed against Trump’s habit of offending demographic groups ranging from Muslims to women. Then he said: “Just one other thing – I gotta get this off my chest – Donald Trump is a jerk.”

The crowd in Contoocook laughed and applauded, and Bush went on to say that Trump’s bid for the presidency was “deeply discouraging”.

Bush’s outburst followed Trump’s comments on Twitter on Friday that the former Florida governor was “dumb as a rock”.

After months of mockery from the real-estate billionaire, who has repeatedly condemned Bush as a “low-energy” candidate, the former Florida governor has begun to fight back.

He told Trump in the Republic debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday that “You’re not going to be able to insult your way to the presidency”, and Bush has since repeated the line several times.

However, Trump is the front-runner in the race to choose who will run as Republican candidate for president in 2016, with the latest polls showing him on 39% – more than 10 times more than Bush’s waning share.

The first ballot is in New Hampshire in early February. The Republican and Democrat candidates will be selected in July, with the presidential elections taking place on 8 November.

Hillary Clinton is widely tipped to be the Democrat candidate and current polling predicts she would beat Trump, 49% to 38%.

Bush followed his “jerk” outburst against Trump by telling his audience: “I feel better now. I gave myself therapy there. Thank you for allowing me to do it.”