New Jeb Ad Hits Kasich: No Conservative Record

A new Jeb Bush ad accuses Ohio Gov. John Kasich of not having the conservative record Bush had in two terms as Florida's governor.

The almost 90-second ad, titled "No Comparison," pits Kasich's record against Bush's, with the implication that Bush has been far more conservative than Kasich.

Kasich told Newsmax TV on Sunday that Bush is showing "desperation" denying his conservative record.

"We balanced more budgets than anybody around, cut more taxes than anybody in America," Kasich said "We're for school choice. We're running surpluses. We're up 400,000 jobs in Ohio. … I just think it's a desperation by some to try to sidetrack me."

But the Bush ad notes that, as a congressman in 1994, Kasich voted to ban assault weapons, while Bush proclaims, "I earned an A-plus rating from the NRA."

It also points out that Kasich worked to expand Medicaid in Ohio while Bush says, "I don't think we should be expanding a broken insurance system."

A younger Kasich is shown saying, "I spent an entire career trying to reign in defense spending," while Bush counters, "We need to rebuild the military. As president I will be a commander-in-chief that will have the back of the military."

The ad points out the Cato Institute gave Kasich a D rating on his state budget, while Bush touts two terms where he added 1.3 million jobs, 4.4 percent growth and eight balanaced budgets.

"That is a conservative record," Fox News host Sean Hannity tells Bush.

"I did cut taxes every year," Bush responds. "When I left there were $9 billion in reserves."

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