Jeb Bush calls GOP rhetoric "troubling"

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.

/ AP

In the wake of Wednesday night's Republican presidential debate in Arizona - the 20th of the season - former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is expressing concerns about the nature of Republican discourse in the current election cycle.

Bush, the son and brother of former presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush respectively, said he found the GOP debates "a little troubling" because the candidates are appealing to voters' emotions rather than more overarching political concerns.

"I used to be a conservative and I watch these debates and I'm wondering, I don't think I've changed, but it's a little troubling sometimes when people are appealing to people's fears and emotion rather than trying to get them to look over the horizon for a broader perspective and that's kind of where we are," Bush said after a speech in Dallas on Thursday.

"I think it changes when we get to the general election," he added. "I hope."

Bush said that appealing to the less moderate voters in the Republican party could hurt the GOP nominee in the general election.

"I think it's important for the candidates to recognize though they have to appeal to primary voters, and not turn off independent voters that will be part of a winning coalition," he said the same day, according to a CBS affiliate in Dallas.

The influential Florida politician has declined to endorse a candidate in this election cycle, and has even been cited as a possible last-minute Republican alternative to the current slate of GOP contenders.

Rick Santorum took a hit in Wednesday's GOP debate over his having supported the controversial education policy "No Child Left Behind" put forth by Jeb Bush's brother George W. Bush, a measure Santorum said he voted for only out of loyalty to the then-president.

"It was against the principles I believed in, but, you know, when you're part of the team, sometimes you take one for the team, for the leader," Santorum said, calling his support a "mistake."

[occupy_cbs]

Jeb Bush calls GOP rhetoric "troubling"




And rightfully so, as the teabagging extremists and religious right have marched the GOP in a goose step to the far-right, pushing more of the same social conservative wedge issues only meant to polarize and divide American even more!

[keltoid22]

NO. MORE. BUSHES!
I know you've been waiting your "turn", Jeb. But seriously, the LAST THING THIS COUNTRY NEEDS IS ANY MORE BUSHES IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

GO AWAY.

[robert1129]

While I share your sentiment, let's give credit to Jeb Bush. He was smart enough to know that the far right wing has taken over control of the GOP and he knew that in order to win the nomination, he would have to sell his soul. So, he was smart enough to stay out of the race.

[tapittwice]

Jeb Bush is actually a solid guy! He was a very successful governor of Florida, and remains very trusted and well remembered with sky high approval ratings,he is the only sensible alternative to the average cadidates for president, and I just do not believe it is too late for him to throw his hat into a race which is full of boring losers........Especially Obama!

[robert1129]

While I share your opinion about Jeb, he is smart enough to know that the only way to win the nomination would be to sell his soul to the far right wing of the GOP. That he is not willing to do.

[occupy_cbs]

"I used to be a conservative and I watch these debates and I'm wondering, I don't think I've changed, but it's a little troubling sometimes when people are appealing to people's fears and emotion rather than trying to get them to look over the horizon for a broader perspective and that's kind of where we are," Bush said after a speech in Dallas on Thursday.

-----

Yes Jeb, your party has moved so far to the right with nothing but extremism and FEARmongering today, that moderates and Independents that will decide the 2012 election can no longer see the republicans as an intelligent choice to solve any of the 21st century problems.

Typical of the authoritative republican party today -- forgetting about our economy and jobs that they talked about in 2010 -- and now just pushing endless social conservative wedge issues meant to divide and polarize our nation even farther!

[occupy_cbs]

I believe he just means he cannot relate to the far-right extremists calling themselves "conservatives" today.

[SantaFean]

Bush...Bush...seems to ring a bell. Prescott Bush who aided and abetted the Nazis? George G W Bush who aided and abetted the Contras in direct violation of Congress? George W Bush who stole an election and lied us into endless wars? Now I remember...Bush means a corporate owned politician who benefits from war.

[bwlewis1964]

Right on point, stay out of the bushes.

[signseeker1717]

Don't forget NEIL Bush and Silverado Savings, who cost US taxpayers 100s of millions of dollars during the Reagan Administration S&L scandal.

[BrooklynFlower]

Does it strike anyone as strange that the "holier than thou" Republicans and Conservatives are the most un-Christian group in America?

When I think of Christians, my first thoughts are of people who help others, create togetherness, giving to those in need, etc. In other words, everything Republicans and Conservatives ARE NOT!

Just think about it, a program called "No Child Left Behind" is demonized as something un-American.

I recall years ago when Hillary Clinton, I believe, wrote a book called "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child". Sounds like good Christian values to me. However, NOT so for the traditional values, morally correct, Christian Republicans and Conservatives.

Uh no! The next thing I heard from this lot was roars about the "bringing down of America as we know it".

God spare Americans from Republicans and Conservatives. We, as a people, would do much better without them. We'd certainly have more morals and much better values without their hate-filled, mean-spirited rhetoric.

[moretruthnow]

Jeb Bush is right that the GOP is attacking so many people, so many of our rights, so much of our benefits and will really mean every word they say about ending Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. We have republicans attacking hispanics, gays, birth control, abortion, women, protestants, unions, and being more and more racist. What is good about these wealthy republicans continuing to give our country to wealthy republican billionaires who back them to fight against our environment, against climate change and are for pollution and destruction.

[MurdochSucks]

Don't forget Muslims and Jews. There is no end to the contempt Republicans have for Middle Class America.

[Paul_I]

Well, Jeb, looks like you just woke up to find that you went from conservative to RINO.

[KansasCity-2012]

Jeb Bush is nothing like his brother or father. Jeb has principles that value being a unifier, rather than a divider.

Jeb's tenure as governor in Florida was highly successful and only ended because of the term-limit laws in that state.

Jeb Bush got very familiar with mean mouthy divisive rhetoric first hand since his state hosts the infamous Rush Limbaugh in West Palm Beach.

[tapittwice]

well said!

[dman6015]

"It was against the principles I believed in, but, you know, when you're part of the team, sometimes you take one for the team, for the leader," Santorum said, calling his support a "mistake."

This guy seriously wants to be President? What a wuss. You "took one for the team". Own up to it, don't apologize, and move on.