[Blitzer:] We're only two days away from the next Republican presidential debate. Jeb Bush has been taking a closer look at his campaign in recent days, along with his father, his brother, both of whom, of course, are former presidents. Our special correspondent, Jamie Gangel, is still with us. Jamie, I know you're doing reporting on what's going on in the Bush campaign, these strategy sessions underway in Houston, Texas, right now. What are you hearing?
[Gangel:] First of all, there's no question, Wolf, that they are shocked to be at this place in the polls at this point in the campaign. That said, the campaign is pushing back on talk about donors being panicked and this kind of talk. And this is what they say. What you heard from Jeb Bush this weekend, where he got out there and said he was frustrated, expect to hear more of that. There is going to be a new sheriff in town. Jeb feels empowered to speak his mind. And he's going to be speaking out a lot, speaking out more strongly on the stump and also spending a lot more time in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
[Blitzer:] Are we going to see some of that come through in the next Republican presidential debate in Boulder, Colorado, on Wednesday?
[Gangel:] I think that's absolutely correct. I don't want to say you're going to see fireworks but I wouldn't be surprised. I think they feel this debate look, every debate is important but this debate is critical. This is substance; that's his wheelhouse. They want him to take control of this debate. So I think you will see a much more vocal, strong Jeb Bush.
[Blitzer:] And it's clear to me and I assume to you as well that the front-runner, Donald Trump, he gets under Jeb Bush's skin where he says, "This guy is low energy." The only one who has lower energy might be Dr. Ben Carson, according to Trump. It seems to resonate. It seems to deeply irritate Jeb Bush, based on those comments he made just the other night that, you know what, if this is going to get really, really ugly and I'm paraphrasing now you know, there are other things, there are better things I can do with my life.
[Gangel:] Jeb Bush is a smart man. He's a decent man. He never expected to be campaigning against Donald Trump with this kind of back-and-forth. That isn't in his wheelhouse. He doesn't like doing it. That said, I think we're seeing unleashed Jeb here. I don't know that he will go directly after Donald Trump but I think you will see a much more outspoken candidate.
[Blitzer:] Is he really frustrated, though, based on everything you're hearing, Jamie, at these low poll numbers in Iowa and New Hampshire, South Carolina and certainly nationally?
[Gangel:] Absolutely. They are frustrated. They are shocked. But you know what, Wolf, everybody keeps saying in this campaign, how did we get here? I mean, it is very surprising. Nobody expected it. Nobody predicted it. And, you know, they just never thought they would be in this place.
[Blitzer:] We'll see what happens next. They have got a lot of work to do. All the campaigns have a lot of work and they're getting ready for that next Republican debate. Jamie, thanks very much. Good work all around. For all the latest in politics and all the presidential contenders, by the way, head over to cnnpolitics.com. You get the best information right there. Also this just in with deadlines looming on the nation's debt ceiling and a possible government shutdown, the White House and Congress may be close to a new budget deal. We're getting new information. Stay with CNN for that. In the meantime, the news continues next on CNN.