Jeb Bush

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Jeb Bush : biography

February 11, 1953 –

Political future

Due to term limits under state law, Bush was unable to seek a third term as Governor. Some speculated that Bush would run against Florida’s Democratic senator, Bill Nelson, in the 2006 U.S. Senate election, but he did not; the Republican candidate was Katherine Harris, who lost to Nelson.

Impact on his political party

Bush’s appeal to Florida’s highly diverse group of voters, along with his success in expanding the "big tent" of the Florida Republican Party (GOP), appear to have propelled him into a commanding political position. Nationwide, American conservatives appear to be positive about Bush, seeing him as committed to upholding core conservative principles.

Outside of Florida, fellow Republican leaders throughout the country have sought Bush’s aid both on and off the campaign trail. Bush’s out-of-state campaign visits include Kentucky, where Republican challenger Ernie Fletcher appeared with Bush and won that state’s governorship in 2003,Wolfe, Charles. , The Enquirer, November 5, 2003. Retrieved June 14, 2008. ending a 32-year streak of Democratic governors. In California, after Democratic Governor Gray Davis was ousted in a recall vote, Bush dispatched Florida’s budget director, October 10, 2003. Retrieved June 14, 2008. to that state to lead an independent audit of California’s budget, at the request of the state’s newly elected Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Bush publicly criticized the national Republican party for its adherence to ideology and partisanship on June 11, 2012. In provocative comments shared with Bloomberg View, Bush suggested that former Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush would "have had a hard time" finding support in the contemporary GOP.

Political interests and business activities

Bush has been active in the neoconservative think tank Project for the New American Century, whose stated goal is to promote American global leadership.

From 2004 to 2007, Bush served as a Board Member for the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). Created by Congress, this board’s purpose is to establish policy on reports examining K-12 students’ academic progress in America’s public and private schools.

In April 2007, Jeb Bush joined Tenet Healthcare’s board of directors.Koenig, David. , USA Today, May 10, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2008. The following August, Bush joined investment bank, Lehman Brothers, as an adviser in its private equity group.

Bush as NFL commissioner

In May 2006, it was reported that Bush was privately approached to become the next commissioner of the National Football League. This is said to be an interest of his, but it was unknown whether he would take the position. The former commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, announced that his tenure would soon be over and he is searching for replacements. "I’m flattered," Jeb Bush said May 24, 2006, of the NFL’s interest, "but I’m Governor of the state of Florida and I intend to be Governor until I leave—which is January 2007. And I’m not going to consider any other options other than being Governor until I finish". Roger Goodell eventually became the new NFL commissioner.

Possible run for U.S. Senate, 2008

In 2008, Bush indicated that he was considering running in the 2010 U.S. Senate race for the seat being vacated by Mel Martinez, who announced that he would retire at the end of his term. But in January 2009, he announced that he would not run for the Senate. Instead, he supported Marco Rubio for the position.

2012 presidential election

Throughout 2009 and 2010, rumors abounded that Bush would attempt to win the Republican nomination for the 2012 presidential election; rumors that he strongly denied from the beginning. In February 2011, after renewed calls were made for him to run for president, Bush was asked whether the door remained closed on a Presidential run. "Yes", was his reply. In July 2011, he reiterated his position that he was not running, although he was heavily critical of the Obama administration., FOX Tampa Bay. July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011 That month his son George urged him to join the 2012 primary., Daily Mail. July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011

2016 presidential election

Bush has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2016 presidential election. When publicly asked at the Marin Speaker Series on February 7, 2013, Bush replied, "We’ll make the decision at the proper time – at least a year from now."

At an April 16, 2013, press conference at Bluefield College, Bush said he is not considering a run now, and that he had not yet started a decision making process.