Jeb Promises He'll 'Fix It,' Internet Snickers

Struggling candidate's new slogan inspires an online field day
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 3, 2015 7:50 AM CST
Jeb Promises He'll 'Fix It,' Internet Snickers
Republican presidential hopeful, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, speaks during a rally Monday in Tampa, Fla.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Jeb Bush's new slogan has really taken off, but not in the way he might've hoped. Despite recent cuts to his campaign budget and staff, Bush appeared at a Florida event on Monday promising to set the country on the right track. "After seven years of incompetence, corruption, and gridlock in Washington, we need a president who can fix it. I can fix it," Bush said, standing in front of a banner reading, "Jeb can fix it." The event was meant to turn a new leaf for Bush, who's fallen to fifth in the GOP pack after poor debate performances. But rather than casting Bush in a presidential light, social media users are comparing him to car repairmen, marriage counselors, and even Bob the Builder under the hashtag #JebCanFixIt, per the Washington Post.

One Twitter user jokes that if Bush quits the GOP race, he'll get his own HGTV show called Jeb Can Fix It, while another suggests his slogan refers to Florida's role in deciding the 2000 presidential election results. Donald Trump also threw some shade: "I never thought of Jeb as a crook! Stupid message, the word 'fix' is not a good one to use in politics!" he tweeted. Gawker points out Bush's slogan is ill-advised for another, more obscure reason: It's similar to Jim'll Fix It—the once-popular British children's show hosted by Jimmy Savile, who was later accused of sexually abusing more than 450 people, including children. The Observer goes as far as to say the slogan "could end Mr. Bush's run" since the online digs show his message "is not being taken seriously and that his candidacy is a joke." (More Jeb Bush 2016 stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X