For the second time in the past week, Jeb Bush attempted to reassure anxious donors that his presidential campaign was still in good shape.

Bush delivered his latest glass-half-full message on a Thursday afternoon conference call, one day after Wednesday night’s admittedly sub-par debate performance, as some of his financiers worry that his move to confront one-time protégé Senator Marco Rubio backfired badly. During the short call with his top donors, Bush acknowledged the debate wasn’t his best and vowed to “improve every day,” according to one donor given anonymity to discuss the private conversation. The donor described Bush as sounding upbeat and eager to return to the campaign trail.

“I’m not a soundbite guy,” Bush told the group, referring to the debate. “I’m a substance guy.”

Read the article “Jeb Bush Tries to Reassure Jittery Donors After Lackluster Debate” on bloomberg.com.