What’s Next for Jeb Bush

Facing a skeptical press and donor class, Jeb Bush is struggling to put an end to the firming narrative that his campaign is on the decline following his sub-par debate performance Wednesday night and recent campaign shake-up. On a call with donors Thursday, Bush acknowledged he “could have done better,” according to participants, but argued that the fundamentals of his campaign are strong. But momentum matters in campaigns, and right now Bush’s is going in the wrong direction—and having to deny that his campaign is in a “terminal” free-fall is never a good sign. The 12 days until the next GOP debate will be a brutal grind for Bush, filled with the sort of process questions Bush hates, but it’s not yet clear if Bush has a plan to make the months that follow any easier.

Marco Rubio is feeling confident after his breakout debate performance, releasing a new web video highlighting the positive reviews. The surest sign of his victory is the escalating interest from Democrats in attacking his campaign. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid called on him to resign from the Senate in a press conference Thursday, while Hillary Clinton‘s super PAC accused him of being a “mansplainer” for the way he described conversations with his wife about their financial situation. Viewed by many Clinton allies as being able to make the sharpest contrast—and thus the greatest threat—to the Democratic front-runner, Rubio is looking to turn the criticism into a selling point with conservatives. Rubio meanwhile has told his supporters to refrain from firing back at Bush’s attacks, in an effort to rise above the fray and avoid alienating the Bush supporters he is now aggressively courting behind the scenes.

Republican campaigns are seeking to make an end-run around the Republican National Committee and the networks holding the upcoming primary debates after this week’s much-maligned showing by CNBC. Led by the Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Lindsey Graham and Bobby Jindal camps, the effort seeks to give candidates more say in how the debates are run. The move puts the RNC in a tough spot that it wasn’t prepared for when it took over the debate process last year, but left moderator selection and format decisions up to the networks. The RNC informed campaigns Thursday that it was ending its process of holding mass conference calls to discuss the contests, which grew to be contentious and leak-filled affairs, instead holding one-on-one calls with individual campaigns.

Clinton is announcing her criminal justice reform plan Friday in Atlanta, where she will also call for an end to racial profiling. Her allies are accusing Bernie Sanders of sexism as they seek to build on her successes in the last month to put more distance between her and her primary challenger. And after months of delay, she is finally endorsed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. Sanders, meanwhile, met with Vice President Joe Biden Thursday to discuss the issues in the campaign. The meeting comes after Sanders appeared to try to put distance between himself and the Obama administration, before walking it back.

The Senate voted overnight to approve legislation to fund the government and raise the debt limit through the 2016 election, averting a showdown that Republican Party leaders believed could have been fatal to their nominee next fall. But three of the four Republican Senators running for the White House—Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Rubio—opposed the deal. The bill now goes to President Obama‘s desk for signature.

France responds to Jeb Bush. Chris Christie turns criticism from the New York Times into a selling point. And the saddest story of the day: Jim Gilmore can’t get verified on Twitter.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Senate Approves Budget and Debt Deal, Sends Measure to Obama
Shutdown and debt limit crisis averted, as decks are cleared for Speaker Ryan [Associated Press]

Hillary Clinton to Propose New Criminal Justice Reform Plans
TIME’s Sam Frizell preview’s Clinton’s call to end racial profiling

Why Rand Paul’s Filibuster Failed
He can thank his fellow Kentuckian, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, TIME’s Jay Newton-Small writes

GOP Campaigns Plot Revolt Against RNC
Debate rules come under fire from campaigns [Politico]

Jeb Bush’s Campaign Blueprint
A 112-page internal document provided to U.S. News includes more dirt on Marco Rubio, Iowa vote goals and a January advertising plan. [US News]

Boehner’s Exit Breaks Up the Long-Running ‘Big Four’ of Congress
Toxic relationships yielded a run of crises, but it could have been worse [Washington Post]

Clinton Allies Shout ‘Sexism’ at Sanders
The Vermont senator is suddenly on the defensive, an unaccustomed position for a progressive who describes himself as a feminist [Politico]

Sound Off

“I knew this was going to be a long journey, but to suggest that the campaign is terminal? Come on. That’s pretty funny.” —Jeb Bush to Fox News Thursday after his much-panned debate performance.

“The mainstream media is going around saying it was the greatest week in Hillary Clinton’s campaign. It was the week she got exposed as a liar.” —Rubio pivoting to attack Hillary Clinton on her Benghazi testimony Thursday.

Bits and Bites

Christie Advertises, Fundraises Off New York Times Snub [TIME]

Clinton Super PAC Hits Rubio as ‘Mansplainer’ [TIME]

Bernie Sanders Meets With Joe Biden on Campaign Issues [New York Times]

Joe Klein: A GOP Identity Crisis Eases the Path for Hillary Clinton [TIME]

The Words Republicans Use More Than Democrats in Debates [TIME]

President Obama Celebrates ‘National Cat Day’ With Grumpy Cat [TIME]

Taking on the Banks, $5 at a Time: Clinton, Sanders Target ATM Fees [Yahoo]

Here’s How France Responded to Jeb Bush’s Debate Dig [TIME]

Winning Isn’t Everything: John Weaver and the Business of Political Seduction [Politico]

Jim Gilmore Says He Can’t Get Verified on Twitter [Washington Post]