Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush Tuesday slammed front-runner Donald Trump's acumen on national security, accusing him of — among other things — being "ignorant and dismissive of the world's most dangerous terrorist organizations."
"Let's be clear: Donald Trump simply doesn't know what he's talking about," the former Florida governor said in an op-ed piece in
National Review.
"And his bluster overcompensates for a shocking lack of knowledge on the complex national security challenges that will confront the next president of the United States.
"We are in serious times, and we need a president who will have the resolve to take on the terrorists and restore America's position in the world," Bush added. "Unlike Trump, I have offered strategies to confront Iran and combat the growing terrorist threat to our country."
Trump, who continues to lead many national polls, has recently attacked former President George W. Bush, saying that he shared some responsibility for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He also has slammed Jeb Bush throughout the campaign.
Bush, who was governor from 1999 to 2007, likened Trump's 9/11 remarks to those of liberal filmmaker Michael Moore "and the fringe left" — saying that they were "yet another example of his dangerous views on national security issues."
He also noted that Trump had said that the U.S. should not have "gone into Afghanistan to hunt al-Qaeda and end the safe haven for terror provided by the Taliban, only to retreat from that stance this week."
Bush then touted his national security platform, including receiving endorsements from 12 Medal of Honor recipients.
"These heroes are some of the most highly decorated veterans in America," he said. "They support me because they know I have the leadership skills and executive experience to rebuild our military and keep our nation safe from rising threats" that include Iran, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Islamic State.
"I am ready to be commander-in-chief and lead America during a time of increasing turmoil around the world," Bush concluded. "Donald Trump has failed to demonstrate the temperament and understanding of our nation's challenges needed to live up to that responsibility."
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