CBS News Cites Jokes About Bush Committing Suicide

The Internet may have poked fun at Jeb Bush on Tuesday after he tweeted a photo of a gun with his name engraved on it and the caption "America," but CBS News crossed a line—per the candidate's campaign. In a CBS Evening News bit on the gun, correspondent Major Garrett cited suicide jokes being made: "There were some people who were supportive, but many said, 'Your campaign is dying. Please, Governor Bush, don't take your own life.' Only in jest, but it shows you how painful things have become for Bush in South Carolina." Now press secretary Kristy Campbell is calling on the network to apologize for the statement.

"In addition to the mainstream-media's total lack of understanding when it comes to gun rights and gun culture, it is absolutely inexcusable to make light of suicide," wrote Campbell to CNNMoney in an email. No word from CBS or Garrett. As for how Bush is doing in South Carolina, the state "isn't Bush country anymore," the Washington Post declares, and gives an in-depth look as to why. He's currently polling in 4th with 10.3% of the vote, per Real Clear Politics, behind Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. The Post's take: "Bush doesn't need to beat Trump—or even Cruz—to survive beyond South Carolina. He just needs to beat Rubio." Rubio is currently polling at 15.8%. (More Jeb Bush 2016 stories.)