Jeb Bush is having a bad week. He can’t quite figure out what to say about the Iraq War. First he said he would have authorized the invasion given what he knows now. Then he said he misunderstood the question. Later, Bush said he wouldn’t talk about hypotheticals. Now, he claims he wouldn’t have engaged in the war. …
So the Iraq War is just mildly unpopular among Republicans, and it’s not on voters’ minds — Bush should be able to weather any immediate storm that his comments kicked up.
The problem that Bush faces is the general electorate. Only 26 percent of all Americans in the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll said going to Iraq was worth it. Of course, it’s not just about the war in isolation. The big issue is that it’s Bush’s brother’s war. Jeb Bush continues to have a big problem because he’s the brother of the most unpopular president in recent history. CONT.
Harry Enten, FiveThirtyEight
Polls: Iraq | George W. Bush