The Bush family left no room for doubt this week. They want former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-Fla., to run for president in 2016.
Former first lady Barbara Bush made a splash back in April on an appearance on NBCs Today" show when she said she hoped Bush does not follow in his fathers and brothers footsteps and runs for president. But, according to another of her sons, the former first lady now wants Jeb Bush to run for president in 2016.
This week, Neil Bush appeared on With All Due Respect" on Bloomberg TV and said his mother was now ready for the former Florida governor to run for president.
"Mom has come around, Neil Bush said. I think I can say that publicly.
She's looked at the landscape and she really believes he'd be a great leader, even though he'd have to make sacrifices with family, Neil Bush continued. She's really encouraging. She wants to take her negative comment off the table, let's put it that way."
Still, Neil Bush said it remained his brothers decision.
So many people have come up to her and said Jeb is the most-qualified guy and this country needs leadership and he can bring the country together, so even my mom is starting to swing a bit, Neil Bush said. But Jebs going to have to make a very personal decision about whether he wants his family to go through this and whether he can enter the campaign fray with joy.
Earlier this week, former President George W. Bush told CNN that he was continuing to encourage his brother to run in 2016. Appearing on State of the Union with Candy Crowley on Sunday, the former president said, while he does not know where things stand, his brother is ready for the presidency.
Is Jeb Bush's family up to the kind of scrutiny that you know happens -- and is now, by the way, even worse?" Crowley asked.
I think that's what he's trying to figure out, George W. Bush answered. So when you're weighing the presidency, you think, Do I fear success? In other words, can I handle it if I win? You know on paper, it seems like a, you know, maybe easy task. On the other hand, when you really start thinking about the implications of being president, some people go, well, I'm not sure I can handle that and therefore back off. The other to think about is Do you fear failure? And Jeb doesn't. Nor does he fear success, by the way. One reason why is because he was an able governor of Florida.
The final consideration, of course, is what you just brought up: the family, the former president continued. And he has -- he's seen what it's like to be the son of a president. He's seen what it's like to be a brother of the president. And he -- and therefore he's being very -- he's, he's not rushing into running for the presidency. I have no clue where his head is now. I do know that he's trying to answer that very question you just asked. Do I want to put my family through the scrutiny? And he'll decide."
Despite saying he is close to his brother, the former president said they have not spoken about whether Jeb Bush will run in 2016. Despite that, George W. Bush said his brother knows where he stands on the matter.
He knows I want him to run, the former president said. If I need to reiterate it, I will: Run, Jeb. I think he'd be a great president."
Jeb Bush also has the support of other members of his family. Back in April, Neil Bush said his father, former President George H.W. Bush, wanted his brother to run in 2016. The former Florida governors sons -- incoming Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and Florida GOP activist Jeb Bush Jr. -- have been supportive of their fathers possible 2016 bid.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
