Jeb Bush ‘Moving Forward’ On 2016 Decision, According To His Son

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2016, during a education panel discussion at Advanced Technologies Academy,in Las Vegas, on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Bush is the chairman of... Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a potential GOP presidential candidate in 2016, during a education panel discussion at Advanced Technologies Academy,in Las Vegas, on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Bush is the chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, which promotes expanding charter schools and vouchers to allow students to attend private schools. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jeff Scheid) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is “moving forward” on a potential 2016 White House run and it appears more likely he will enter the Republican field, according to his son, who’s running for office in Texas.

George P. Bush told ABC’s “This Week” that his father is “still assessing” a presidential bid, but suggested it was more likely that he would seek the White House this time. The ex-governor declined to run for president in 2012 despite encouragement from Republicans.

“I think it’s more than likely that he’s giving this a serious thought and moving — and moving forward,” said the younger Bush, who is running for Texas land commissioner.

Asked if that meant it was “more than likely that he’ll run,” George P. Bush responded: “That he’ll run. If you had asked me a few years back … I would have said it was less likely.”

Jeb Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush and the son of former President George H.W. Bush, would stand out in what could be a crowded Republican field in 2016.

Bush has headlined fundraisers for Republican candidates and committees and helped campaigns for governor in Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada, three of the first four states to hold early presidential primaries.

Family considerations could play a factor in his decision.

In an interview with The Associated Press this month, Jeb Bush said his wife, Columba, is “supportive” of a potential presidential campaign and his mother, former first lady Barbara Bush, was now “neutral, trending in a different direction.” Barbara Bush declared last year there had been “enough Bushes” in the White House.

“But that doesn’t mean that I don’t understand the challenges that this brings,” Jeb Bush told the AP. “This is ultimately my decision with as much consideration as I can to take into account the people that I really love.”

George P. Bush, in the interview aired Sunday, said his family would be “100 percent” behind his father if he decides to run.

___

Follow Ken Thomas on Twitter at https://twitter.com/KThomasDC

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. That’s their way of trying rehab the family brand for George P. Both he and his old man are real threats.

  2. Avatar for azjude azjude says:

    HA! HA! HA! …snort!

    Another bush in the white house??? NEVER!!

    W, ruined it for you jebbers.

  3. Avatar for marby marby says:

    I hope you are right. However, I worry a little because the Rs may consider him the most electable out of their current, crazy list of potential candidates.

  4. Avatar for twresq twresq says:

    This article said nothing. He’s seriously considering running, but is doing absolutely nothing to prepare to run. Perhaps the best indication of the likelihood of a Bush III campaign is the following latest poll:

    Saturday, October 04
    General Election: Bush vs. Clinton McClatchy/Marist Clinton 53, Bush 42 Clinton +11

    But if he ran, it might be another act of love. He’s big on acts of love, evidently.

  5. Avatar for xyxox xyxox says:

    It would be fun watching a Bush and Mitt Romney tearing each other apart in a primary battle.

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