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Keller @ Large: Jeb Bush Has Chance To Improve

BOSTON (CBS) - I went up to Bedford, New Hampshire Wednesday night to check out the campaign of John Ellis Bush, more commonly known as Jeb, with an exclamation point after it on the campaign signs.

What kind of candidate puts an exclamation mark after their name?

One who feels the need to create at least the impression of excitement around their candidacy, and that certainly is a priority these days for the Bush campaign.

Bush has struggled from the start to overcome two factors weighing down his progress, one anticipated, one not.

His father and brother made their share of enemies during their time in the White House, and it's no wonder they're skeptical of yet another Bush.

And no one expected a master showman like Donald Trump to get into the race and make mild-mannered Jeb seem even duller than he otherwise would. Given a choice, which would you prefer to watch - a pre-season NFL game, or the Super Bowl?

But fortunately for Bush, we're not talking about one Sunday afternoon's entertainment here. This is about the presidency, four to eight years of power over almost every aspect of our lives.

Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush talks to Jon Keller, Sept. 30, 2015. (WBZ-TV)

So Bush was in New Hampshire Wednesday talking in detail about policy, what's wrong with the status quo and how to fix it. The crowd wasn't as visibly excited as the one you see at a Trump rally, and some eyes did seem glazed over when he started in on civil service reform.

But I also saw a lot of appreciation, and left thinking that if this race ultimately turns on substance and knowledge, Bush has a chance to improve on his dismal poll numbers.

If it doesn't, and GOP voters just want flash and blood on the carpet, all the exclamation points in the world won't save him.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News weeknights at 11 p.m.

Email Jon at keller@wbztv.com or reach him on Twitter @kelleratlarge.

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