Contra Buzzfeeed, Jeb Bush Vows to ‘Campaign Hard’ in Iowa

Both MSNBC and the Brody File are reporting that, contrary to a previous Buzzfeed report, Jeb Bush does indeed intend to “campaign hard” in Iowa.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Saturday declared he would aggressively campaign to win the caucuses here, ending any doubt about his participation in the first contest of the GOP primary but also opening himself up to the possibility of a defeat that could severely harm his candidacy.

The Buzzfeed report had been speculative in nature, as evidenced by the headline. Perhaps it should have said “may, or may not”?

Jeb Bush May Skip Iowa In 2016, Sources Say

In any event, Jeb was in Iowa Saturday, so it’s fair to say he hasn’t abandoned it, for now. It is, however, possible that he wants to keep as many options open as possible now, especially given what was less than a great week for him.

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with The Brody File, Jeb Bush says he plans to be a serious player in Iowa when he becomes an official candidate for President of the United States. Bush’s team recently said he would not compete in the traditional Ames Iowa Straw Poll this summer. “Look, I’m a really competitive guy to begin with,” Bush tells The Brody File. “It’s hard for me to imagine that I’m going to plan for fifth place. I mean, that’s not going to happen. We’re going to work hard here. I’m not going to participate in Straw Polls anywhere. That’s a distraction to be honest with you.” Currently, Bush is polling in the single digits in Iowa but it’s early in the process.

The Brody File interviewed Jeb Bush Saturday morning in Dubuque Iowa.