It is do-or-die for Bush in New Hampshire Republican primary

CONCORD, Saturday

In a state whose motto is “Live Free or Die,” New Hampshire’s presidential primary on Tuesday is do or die for Republican Jeb Bush: Best your establishment rivals or consider throwing in the towel.

Bush’s campaign has long concluded the state is critical to his path to the nomination.

Finishing strong in the first primary after this week’s Iowa caucuses, where he placed a disappointing sixth with 2.8 per cent of the vote, is a political imperative.

Experts say if he falters, Bush would confirm the narrative painted by critics, that he is a tarnished candidate from the past unable to generate enthusiasm for yet another Bush presidency amid the current appetite for outsiders like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

To bounce back after stumbles in the first two states would be a herculean task for the former governor of Florida, who is getting more attention as a poster boy for disastrous campaigning than a potential winner.

Senator and Florida rival Marco Rubio last month tagged Bush as “desperate”.

New Jersey Chris Christie called him “fake,” while Trump infamously labelled him a “low energy” loser whose supporters are spending mountains of money to no avail.

“I wouldn’t say desperation, but there’s serious concern in the Bush camp”, Prof Linda Fowler, an expert on US elections, told journalists.