Bush cancels ad buy in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- With just a month until the Iowa caucuses, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is shifting strategy -- canceling TV ads in exchange for more staffers on the ground.

Bush's campaign has withdrawn $3 million in previously reserved airtime, $1 million for Iowa and $2 million for a January blitz in South Carolina. The campaign is focusing more resources on ground game, boosting its Iowa effort to 60 staffers ahead of the Feb. 1 caucus.

The campaign told The Des Moines Register the move signifies a smaller investment in Iowa.

According to the latest Iowa poll, Bush places in fifth among Republican candidates, even after aggressive ad blitzes. Right to Rise, the PAC supporting Bush, has spent a whopping $40 million in ads that have failed to move the needle.

The Center for Public Integrity reported Bush has aired the most television ads of any candidate in either party.

Right to Rise will continue airing ads ahead of the Iowa caucus. Bush is expected to return to the state to campaign from Jan. 11-13 with stops in Grinnell, Iowa City, Des Moines and Ankeny.