Earlier in the week, Newt Gingrich slammed Mitt Romney for hiring staffers that once worked for Charlie Crist (D-Tanned). Senator Marco Rubio quickly stepped forward to tell Newt to cut it out. Now, former Governor Jeb Bush is telling Newt his claim is “ridiculous”.

Here’s the story from National Review Online:

Jacksonville, Fla. — Former Florida governor Jeb Bush tells National Review Online that Newt Gingrich should stop insinuating that Mitt Romney aides, due to their past work for Charlie Crist, are part of a moderate GOP conspiracy.

Earlier this week, for example, Gingrich told supporters that Romney hired Crist staffers, and emphasized the significance of this fact. “We discovered last night that Mitt Romney has picked up Charlie Crist’s campaign manager,” Gingrich said. “I thought that told you everything you need to know about this primary.”

“That’s not a serious accusation,” Bush says. “Candidates win elections. I’m not a big Charlie Crist fan, as you recall, but these guys shouldn’t have that moniker attached to them, as if Governor Romney is part of some evil plot. That’s ridiculous.”