George W. Bush wanted brother Jeb to run in 2012

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Campaign 2012

Former Florida Gov. Jeb. Bush speaks to a Republican group as it kicks off its efforts to improve the party's outreach to Hispanic voters Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011 in Miami.

(Credit: AP)

Former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura wanted his brother Jeb Bush to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, the former first lady said Wednesday in Florida.

"We wanted him to [run] this time," Laura Bush said in Sarasota, according to the Herald-Tribune. She added that she and the former president "wish he would" run, saying Jeb Bush would be a "wonderful" president in part due to his work on education.

Jeb Bush, the younger brother of George W. Bush and the son of former President George H.W. Bush, was governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. Bush has ruled out seeking the presidency in this cycle.

Bush, who speaks Spanish and is married to a woman born in Mexico, has been active in trying to bring Hispanic voters - a crucial and growing vowing bloc that usually supports Democrats - to the Republican Party. Earlier this year, he said Republicans should not just run for president by attacking President Obama.

"It's good to be critical of (President Obama) -- I think the president means well, but his policies have failed," he said. "But just to stop there and say, 'I'm going to win because I'm against what's going on' is not good enough."

An endorsement from Bush, which he has said is possible, could give a significant boost to a candidate in the Sunshine State, which holds its primaries on January 31.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by noloyalisti January 31, 2012 4:03 PM EST: Poor dumb schmuck, his name is dirt. It has become like the word Voldemort. It is the ultimate insult to call someone a bush.; Reply to this comment


by JoeMichaelAngel January 17, 2012 12:17 AM EST: Another BUSH President? Over America's Dead Body! Oh wait. After George W. Bush America's almost there.; Reply to this comment


by JGTinFlorida January 15, 2012 10:54 AM EST: Jeb Bush is a good,reasonable guy, but is stuck with a war criminal as a brother. So no chance, unless he is given a prominent role in a future administration and does well enough to remove the stench.; Reply to this comment


by wcalvinanderson January 14, 2012 4:13 PM EST: I think President George W. should get over that disappointment and weigh in as a vested leader of our great nation with commenting on the issues with those who declare that they would serve our nation in the highest office. Beyond partisan politics America needs the clarity of all vested in our socioeconomic survival, politics runs a dismal second in this urgency.; Reply to this comment


by karlimhof January 14, 2012 2:55 AM EST: If the amerika of today were truely democratic, the question of a 3rd Bush would not be a topic.; Reply to this comment


by karlimhof January 14, 2012 2:25 AM EST: Anyone who'd wish for another round of Bush, must be a multi-millionaire........; Reply to this comment

by FormerUSMCSergeant January 13, 2012 10:52 PM EST

Bush has ruled out seeking the presidency in this cycle.

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Well, dubya's stench will take quite a while to dissipate - if ever......

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by karlimhof January 14, 2012 2:21 AM EST: Amen, wonder if Romney would show more alligence to the Constitution or the Temple? When you look at their "end of time" beliefs.......


by Ericwvb January 13, 2012 3:21 PM EST: "In the Bush family, the smart one was called 'Jeb.'" - Robin Williams; Reply to this comment


by NewtsArmy January 13, 2012 2:25 AM EST: One day a man looked for a good home builder.
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But "Bob The Builder" became furious at the man and said "that is an attack on my honesty!"

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But "Romney" became very furious and said "that is an attack on all Capitalism!"
So the story was FRAMED against the good man and told again and again by all of "Romney's" surrogates, day after day after day!; Reply to this comment


by FLStormOrphan January 13, 2012 12:51 AM EST: Thank you CBS for providing an opportunity for FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

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