Right to Rise PAC raises millions to back Jeb Bush

The outside political group supporting Jeb Bush’s bid for president with tens of millions of dollars in television advertising is considering placing organising staff in Iowa and New Hampshire, a move that would follow the decision of his formal campaign to refocus its efforts on the two early-voting states.

Senior advisers to the group tried to paint an upbeat picture of Bush’s White House prospects at the outset of meetings held for major donors to Bush’s campaign and the group, a super PAC known as Right to Rise USA.

Scheduled months ago as a reward for top money-raisers for the candidate once viewed as having the clearest shot at the GOP nomination, the retreat came as it emerged Bush’s formal campaign cut employee salaries by 40% and said it would move jobs from its Miami headquarters to the leadoff-voting states.