Jeb Bush: Campaign decision 'in relatively short order'

[webfact]

Jeb Bush: Campaign decision 'in relatively short order'
By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Jeb Bush said Thursday he will make up his mind "in relatively short order" whether to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2016.

The former Florida governor is going to New Hampshire to attend events called Politics and Pies in Concord on Thursday and Politics and Eggs in Manchester on Friday. He'll also speak at a GOP meeting Friday in Nashua with many potential rivals.

"Typical day in New Hampshire, apparently," Bush told reporters earlier Thursday in Mississippi, where he attended a bill signing ceremony with Republican Gov. Phil Bryant.

Bush said he's not concerned that several other hopefuls are ahead of him in launching their campaigns.

"I'm on a journey to kind of measure support," Bush said. "Other people's processes are not really that relevant to me. I'll make up my mind in relatively short order. I'm excited about just the possibility of being in a position to consider it."

He said his family supports his exploration of a presidential bid.

"In a campaign, no matter if it's running for governor or running for president or anything else, you've got to go earn it," Bush said. "You've got to go earn people's respect and persuade people that your ideas are better, that you have leadership skills to make it happen. You've got a heart for people. Those are the things that matter. Who's winning, who's losing? Who cares?"

The law Bryant signed is based on a program created in Florida when Bush was governor. Mississippi will issue $6,500 vouchers for a small percentage of the state's special education students. Families can use the public money to pay for private school tuition, tutoring or other education services outside the public schools.

Mississippi has about 66,500 special-needs students. The new law will create vouchers for 500 students the first year. Over five years, the program will grow to 2,500 students.

Bush said he expects the program to boost educational opportunities in Mississippi, where fewer than 25 percent of special education students finish high school.

"The schools will start becoming more focused on the challenges of children with learning disabilities and more kids will rise up," Bush said. "I know in Florida when we gave kids choices they didn't have, all schools got better."

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-04-17

[zydeco]

The one Republican that will cause me to vote for Hillary Clinton.

[Dannyboy666]

Another Bush Era, Please No... Aren't they all supposed to be in Bolivia, Living It Up...

[bkkjames]

The one Republican that will cause me to vote for Hillary Clinton.

And lose...and I ain't even American lol

[HeijoshinCool]

This next campaign reminds me of the worst, and most dangerous thing, you can put on an otherwise decent car: retreads.

In 2024, it'll be Moochelle.

Going down … down … down ….

[tx22cb]

Bush minor's biggest challenge is to convince the Republicans' right wing that he is not too liberal to be their candidate.

[elgordo38]

The one Republican that will cause me to vote for Hillary Clinton.

I guess your not a fan of the TV show Dynasty? George Bush's hand must be getting tired of holding the torch. The torch would be about the only bright part of this guy. They should still send him to The Hague to stand trial for genocide. The sad part of the presidency is that the real money only flows in after they leave office. They make more in giving an hour speech than they do for a whole year being president. The presidency is the gift that never quits giving.

[elgordo38]

Bush minor's biggest challenge is to convince the Republicans' right wing that he is not too liberal to be their candidate.

Bush Lite any way you look at it. He will have to go a long way to beat his brother that started a war to deflect his inefficiencies. You have to rule by distraction is the old shell game.

[Jingthing]

He could beat Hillary. He's the least offensive republican but still very offensive. I doubt the republicans will be sensible enough to nominate him but I think he will run.

[Traveler19491]

This whole, "I'm just testing the waters, trying to determine support" thing is pure BS. They are all (including Hillary) manipulating the Federal Election Commission rules regarding campaign finance. As long as they're not a "declared" candidate they have a lot more flexibility as to reporting requirements and coordination between campaign officials and donors. Once they declare, a whole new set of rules take effect. There have been several complaints filed against Rubio, Bush, Walker, and some others. May have been complaints against Clinton, but I haven't seen any. I just wish to hell they'd get private money out of the election process altogether.