Former President George W. Bush has vowed to keep out of the 2016 presidential campaign because he does not want to create a dynasty backlash with his younger brother set to mount a bid for the White House.
At a closed-door dinner in Las Vegas on Saturday, he told about 800 members of the Republican Jewish Coalition that his presence in the run-up to the election could hurt former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush,
The Washington Post reported, citing several attendees.
"He said that one of the challenges his brother is going to have is that the country doesn’t like dynasties," recalled David Volosov, a coalition member from Silver Spring, Md.
"People are going to say, ‘Oh, here comes another Bush.’ His response is that he is going to stay as far away as he can. He is going to stay away from the whole process."
"He basically said that his brother is going to have some issues with the name Bush to contend with," said another attendee, Lisa Karlovsky of Scottsdale, Ariz.
The New York Times reported that Norm Coleman, a former senator from Minnesota and board member of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said, "[George W. Bush] said being a Bush is a challenge."
"He essentially said people don’t want dynasties in America," Elise Weingarten, another attendee, told the newspaper.
The Times also reported that other members revealed that Bush said he was reluctant to back his brother’s campaign because it would be unhelpful and unseemly.
"That’s why you won’t see me," Bush said.
Jeb Bush appeared to give credence to his brother’s evaluation when he was asked about it during a meeting with supporters in Miami Beach on Sunday outside a Burger & Beer joint.
"I think my brother overstates this a lot," he said at first, adding, "People respect him enormously."
But then he went on to say that if he officially launches a presidential campaign, "I’m going to have to show my heart, show my life experience. I can’t be about any kind of dynastic considerations."
He added later that his brother is "smart enough to know that he needs to pull back a little bit, but that’s what he’s done in his post-presidency."
Jeb Bush added, "That’s why he’s been admired by so many people. He doesn’t have an opinion about everything. He’s let this president have his successes and his mistakes, which is, I think, what former presidents need to be doing."
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