Meet the Presidential Candidates, News

Meet the 2016 Presidential Candidates: Jeb Bush

Photo from abcnews.com
Photo from abcnews.com

The younger brother of George W. Bush and second son of George H.W. Bush, Jeb Bush announced his presidential candidacy on June 15, 2015. Initially considered the most likely to receive the Republican nomination, Bush has since fallen behind Republican outsiders Ben Carson and Donald Trump, currently polling at merely 5.4% nationally, as many see Bush as too closely affiliated with the Republican establishment. Still, Bush is receiving the most campaign donations out of all the Republicans candidates, and many hope that as the primaries draw closer, Jeb will become the third Bush to run for office. 

Keep on reading for a quick overview on his ideas and beliefs:

Background: John Ellis “Jeb” Bush was born on February 11, 1953 in Midland, Texas and attended a boarding school called Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, where he claims to have once smoked marijuana at. Later, he received a degree in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1974, he began work at the international division of Texas Commerce Bank, and in 1977, he was sent to Venezuela to open a new operation for the bank, where he served as branch manager and vice president. After an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in Florida in 1994, but ran again in 1998 and defeated the Democratic candidate. During his eight years as governor, Bush was credited with environmental initiations and helped reform the state education system.

Foreign Policy: 

  • Expand military presence in countries and regions near Russia; “Putin is a bully.”
  • Advocates for giving Israel sophisticated weaponry to “send a message to Iran, ” and opposes the current Iran peace treaty.
  • Against the lifting of the embargo on Cuba and believes that it needs to be strengthened instead.
  • Supports economic cooperation between US and China.

The Economy:

  • Unlike father, Bush makes “no pledge on taxes”; believes trade-offs on taxes means leadership.
  • Wants to push back the retirement age to 68 or 70 for Social Security.
  • Believes in free-market, pro-development, pro-growth philosophy.
  • Does not support minimum wage at a federal level.

Domestic Issues:

  • Supports “stand-your-ground” bill and believes all people should be able to own guns
  • Believes in vaccination of all children.
  • Against ObamaCare, claiming that it “is flawed to its core.”
  • Wants to build more prisons and lengthen sentences.

Social Issues:

  • Believes that the federal government should not be involved in creating content in education system.
  • Respects same-sex marriages at a local level.
  • Plans to defund Planned Parenthood, but wants to continue funds for “good care providers for women.”
  • Outlined a 4% growth strategy to lift people out of poverty.

Quotes: 

“Lower taxes and less regulation would actually promote growth.”

“Being against other people’s policies eventually puts you in a downward spiral. It’s fine to be principled and oppose views that you don’t agree with, but you also have to have an alternative.”

“Immigrants create an engine of economic prosperity.”

“I think Republicans really need to be disciplined, to stay focused on sustained economic growth.”

Muppet he most resembles: George the janitor — a man who loves his mop, his job and plays a minimal part in show business. Jeb Bush — a man who has a brother named George, probably loves his job and plays a pretty big role in business & corporations…Or maybe it’s just the hair?

Photo from wikia.net
Photo from wikia.net

Sources from: politico.com, ontheissues.org & jeb2016.com