Jeb Bush: GOP candidates can't just attack Obama

AP

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday evening that the Republican presidential candidates need to do more than attack President Obama if they want to win in 2012.

"It's good to be critical of the president -- I think the president means well, but his policies have failed," Bush, a Republican and the former president's younger brother, said on Fox News. "But just to stop there and say, 'I'm going to win because I'm against what's going on' is not good enough. You have to win with purpose if you really want to make these big changes."

That said, the former governor added that the current field of candidates should be up to the task.

"I think it's a little early to be dissatisfied with the candidates," Bush said. "I think you'll find the candidates will start staking out positions that are responsible and forward leaning... As that happens, I think people will start migrating towards those candidates."

Bush said flatly, "I'm not running," but he added that he may support a candidate before the primaries are up.

When asked about former Utah governor and presidential candidate Jon Huntsman's remarks this week that some of the GOP candidates are unelectable, Bush first said, "I like Jon Huntsman a lot... We need to be a broad party with divergent views."

He added that there's nothing wrong with being conservative, but "if you're a conservative, you have to defend a position, you can't just be against the president."

Bush defended Texas Gov. Rick Perry's right to question whether global warming is man-made and shot down suggestions that there's a rift between Perry and the Bush family.

Bush added that if Republicans shifted their "tone" on the issue of immigration, the party could pick up significant Hispanic support.

He also called for tax code reform. "If we could simplify the code and eliminate all these deductions and credits... it would create a burst of economic activity and create for certainty in the future as well," he said.

CBSNews.com special report: Campaign 2012

[noloyalisti]

The Republicons still think that the answer to every problem (as well as to get elected) is to promise to cut taxes. What they are suggesting is so radical and so extreme that it is hard to believe anyone would repeat their insanity.

Must be the corporate money speaking.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

"Jeb Bush: GOP candidates can't just attack Obama"

Why? Because more and more Americans are seeing through the attacks, the lies and the rhetoric and realizing that the Republicans are doing nearly nothing positive for America even though they are promising everything.

Why? Because Americans are tired of the ceaseless and mostly dishonest attacks and as they continue more and more are being pushed into voting FOR Obama instead of against him.

Why? Because Americans are seeing that these attacks are merely masks to hide the fact that Republicans don't have a candidate or any plan that can fix the problems America has today.

Why? Because Americans are beginning to see that the way the Republicans are acting today is part of why we are in the messes we are in.

[noloyalisti]

The Republicans have no plan, no solutions and nothing good to suggest for America. They represent maybe 2% of Americans and the only way they can get elected is to lie, cheat and steal (or be bought into office by their corporate masters).

[longtree-2009]

c'mon now, they can do what they want and attacking obama is popular among many seeking to unseat him. if candidates do have a plan, they should keep it to themselves until early 2012. in the meantime, attacking is the best for now.

[nearl451]

My advice to Jeb: "Don't cast pearls before swine."

They don't know what to do with rational advice anyway.

[Jaylah54]

OMG, an actual sentence that makes sense coming out of one of the sons of HW. Amazing.

[notobama12]

OMG an Obama supporter that can read.

[bud_green]

"Republican presidential candidates need to do more than attack President Obama if they want to win in 2012"

Their only solution is to pray for supernatural causation; they certainly aren't capable of working to acheive results.

[david4673]

We need to watch the next GOP candidate debate. It is moderated by Brian Williams of NBC, 9-07-11.

I think the field will contract and I also think some sparks will fly, dang, I hope so. This only blame Obama, never give a solution or a contrast with the other candidates is boring.

[midvale3]

A million solutions, name 10? The teabagger standard line is government bad, no taxes.

[PourpaixPourpaix]

I can respect Jeb Bush for what he said here and the way he said it. Philosophically, I may not agree, but his tone is what I'd expect from a credible Presidential candidate if they want my vote. Disagreement in principle is one thing, but nobody who engages in highly alienating rhetoric is qualified for the job. Didn't see it from McCain, didn't see it from Obama, but most of the Republicans actively campaigning are showing that they cannot deal with people of differing points of view. Don't vote for those who are intolerant ..... you think it's bad now?

[david4673]

You make an excellent point. It is the intolerance and intransigence of today's far right wing led Repub party that is so very dangerous for the continuing existence of the USA, as we have known this country.

We need to fight the intolerant and the extreme, whether right or left.

[midvale3]

I want someone in office that will fight tooth and nail and not compromise the health of our nation one iota!!

Wasn't that Bush? That worked out well didn't it. An intelligent, reasonable person knows you learn and change as situations chance. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome. Come to think of it, that defines a conservative/teabagger to a "t".

[formrusmcsgt]

by dan1511 August 24, 2011 6:04 PM EDT
Greed is good!!!
---
Initiative and drive are admirable qualities.

Greed, most certainly, is not.

Sorry.

[formrusmcsgt]

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday evening that the Republican presidential candidates need to do more than attack President Obama if they want to win in 2012.
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Well, that leaves Sarah out right there....

Never offers anything but criticism.