TheChat: Jeb Bush (finally) goes on the offensive against The Donald

Good morning.

▪ “What we did today was to put out in his words to show that he’s not conservative.” — Jeb Bush on his new offensive against Donald Trump that portrays the mogul as a closet liberal.

Bush released an attack video in a move that’s viewed as a risky strategy for Bush, who’s plainly tired of getting roughed up by Trump “every day.”

▪ “A small group of people making a lot of noise.” — Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, talking about those who are protesting the growth and sale of GMOs, or genetically modified organisms.

Her advice to agricultural genetics researchers? Toughen up and ignore them. She made the comments in Columbia during a statewide farm tour that brought her to Kansas City on Wednesday. (link via johncombest.com).

▪ “The main takeaway from this survey is the ineffectiveness of an endorsement from former Senator Danforth.” — Titus Bond, the leader of the Remington Research Group, on the impact of Danforth’s backing on a candidate’s prospects.

Former GOP Sens. Kit Bond and John Ashcroft scored better than Danforth in this study by Jeff Roe’s polling outfit. That said, Roe has it out for Danforth these days after Danforth called him out for negative campaign tactics against Tom Schweich the former state auditor who committed suicide this year. So stick an asterisk next to this one.

▪ “Not good.” — Kansas state Sen. Laura Kelly, a Topeka Democrat, on August revenue numbers.

The total for the month was $25 million less than projections. Kelly said the 2012 tax-cut bill is still eating Kansas’ lunch.

This story was originally published September 3, 2015 at 12:16 AM.