BEDFORD, N.H. — Jeb Bush said that ABC News moderators will probably ask “really stupid” questions during Saturday night’s debate.
The former Republican governor made the comments while taking questions during a town hall rally at an intermediate school here. Bedford police officers estimated that more than 700 people packed the room, while about 200 people gathered in an overflow area.
“I like town halls,” Bush said after a woman asked him a question about health care and how to make sure more people get insurance coverage. “The questions on the debate stage will probably be really stupid.”
ABC’s David Muir and Martha Raddatz are moderating, with New Hampshire’s WMUR political director Josh McElveen and Hot Air editor Mary Katharine Ham contributing questions. The debate is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. and is the final one before Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.
Donald Trump, Sen. [crscore]Ted Cruz[/crscore], Sen. [crscore]Marco Rubio[/crscore], Dr. Ben Carson, Bush, Gov. Chris Christie and Gov. John Kasich are scheduled to be on stage.
After giving a rally speech that highlighted his leadership, support for a balanced budget amendment and a line item veto, ideas to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, and his record in Florida, Bush took questions from the audience. The first man to the microphone told a story of an historic boxing match in which one fighter was losing for 14 rounds before throwing a knockout punch in the 15th round.
The man then said Bush was the one who has been losing for 14 rounds and said Trump needs to be knocked out. “Throw that punch,” the man urged Bush.
South Carolina Sen. [crscore]Lindsey Graham[/crscore], former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and George P. Bush each gave comments introducing Bush at the town hall.
Bush repeatedly criticized Trump for seeming to mock a New York Times reporter’s disability. He also criticized Cruz’s “carpet-bomb ISIS” strategy, saying the U.S. military has precision-strike weapons that wouldn’t kill civilians.
“We have some very talented people running for president. Very talented. A man who can turn a phrase, gifted politicians, great speechifiers, people that really are smart and intelligent. But think about it: who on the stage tonight will have a proven record?” Bush asked. “Who has the record of not cutting and running, but solving problems? You’re looking at him. His name is Jeb Bush.”