Washington: Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, son of ex-president George H W Bush and brother of former President George W Bush, has hinted about his presidential bid in 2016, saying that he will decide on this “in short order”.
“I’m thinking about running for president, and I’ll make up my mind in short order – you know, not that far out into the future, I don’t know the exact time line,” Bush said at an event hosted by The Wall Street Journal here yesterday.
Bush said his decision to seek the Republican nomination will hedge on whether he can “lift people’s spirits and not get sucked into the vortex,” and – perhaps more importantly whether “the sacrifice for my family is tolerable.”
He said Republicans need to take a more positive approach in 2016, and be practical enough about the national political landscape to “lose the primary to win the general” election.
“I don’t know if I’d be a good candidate or a bad one. I kind of know how a Republican can win,” Bush said.
In his remarks, Bush argued for a more active and engaged foreign policy and warned that a rebuilt military and aggressive intelligence gathering tactics are key to preventing jihadist attacks.
“There is a growing sense that we can’t withdraw from the world,” he said.
Responding to a question, Bush said the US must fully engage with China.
“An engaged America is better for America than a disengaged America,” he said.
The US relationship with China could “evolve to an ugly place” if the US pulled back, he added.
“You cant ignore China as it emerges as a world power… We ought to encourage China to take a leadership role in helping solve global problems,” Bush said.
PTI
