In the wake of Jeb Bush's disastrous debate performance this week, press and pundits have pronounced his campaign dead. Headlines declaring "Jeb died on that stage" and "Yeah, Jeb is probably toast" and "Jeb's chances for president, RIP" shared the same diagnosis. Jenna Lee of Fox News suggesed to him that his collapse on CNBC was "terminal" for his campaign.
But despite the overwhelming consensus of the pundit community that his campaign is now in a persistent vegetative state, Jeb Bush insists he's not dead yet.

"It's not on life support. We have the most money. We have the greatest organization. We're doing fine."

To be sure, this is a familiar refrain from Governor Bush and his supporters. Dr. Bill Frist, the former Senate Majority Leader and current head of Bush's Tennessee delegate slate, rejected the conclusion that Jeb has been reduced to a "persistent vegetative state":

"I question it based on a review of the video footage which I spent an hour or so looking at last night in my office," he said in a lengthy speech in which he quoted medical texts and standards. "He certainly seems to respond to visual stimuli."

Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay urged donors lamenting that Jeb "got crushed" to stay committed to the cause in tough times. "Every hour is incredibly important to Jeb Bush."

"Jeb Bush is not brain dead; he talks and he laughs, and he expresses happiness and discomfort. Jeb Bush is not on life support."

Jeb's brother George W. Bush agreed:

"In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life. This presumption is especially critical for those like my brother, who live at the mercy of others."

Of course, Jeb concurs with his brother's assessment. "We have a duty to protect the weak, disabled and vulnerable," Bush explained. And even after 18 months and 19 candidate debates and forums led most spin doctors to write him off for dead, Jeb issued a final plea to supporters and donors begging that they not pull the plug on him:

"I urge you to take a fresh look at this case without any preconceptions as to the outcome."

Unfortunately for Jeb!, that is going to be a tough sell. His political autopsy is already underway.