WASHINGTON — Former President George W. Bush said his younger brother Jeb Bush would make a “great president,” as speculation builds that the Republican former governor of Florida might mount a run for the White House in 2016.
Jeb Bush, a favorite of the Republican establishment, has maintained a high public profile in recent weeks, appearing at GOP fundraising events and weighing in on debates over immigration and education policy. He has publicly backed at least two GOP candidates in 2014 races, including his recent endorsement of California gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari.
“I hope Jeb runs,” the former president said during an interview on CNN. “I think he would be a great president. I have no clue what’s on his mind, and we will talk when he’s ready.”
In a GOP presidential primary, a new poll shows Jeb Bush and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky at the front of the pack, but by an extremely narrow margin. According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released this week, 14 percent of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents each support Bush and Paul, while 13 percent back former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and 11 percent line up behind Wisconsin Rep. Paul D. Ryan.
But the former president said his brother, who has said he won’t make a decision until after the November election, is unconcerned with polling.
“He’s checking his core, and as he said publicly, ‘I’m thinking about my family,’” George W. Bush said. “And of course, he knows full well what a run for the presidency can do on family.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
-
Nation & World
Floyd’s cause of death, ex-cop’s force will be keys at trial
-
Local & State
Readfield Union Meeting House restoration sparked by Hallowell couple’s $50,000 donation
-
Local & State
Augusta City Council declares house dangerous, gives garage owner time to make his building safe
-
Local & State
Maine CDC reports 160 COVID-19 cases, two new deaths
-
Columns
J.P. Devine Podcast: When you begin to lose your words
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi {SUB NAME}, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have one? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.