Receiving a returning hero’s welcome, Jeb Bush wowed a crowd of more than 400 businesspeople Tuesday as the former Florida governor capped off a day of speeches from declared and potential GOP presidential candidates at an invitation-only economic summit hosted by Gov. Rick Scott.
Bush received two standing ovations and the warmest welcome of the six candidates — all current or former Republican governors — who showed up in person to make their pitches in a precursor to the coming months in the Sunshine State, a coveted electoral prize.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., kicked off the event in a video appearance Tuesday morning. Rubio — one of the few announced candidates — canceled an appearance at the event so he could remain in Washington for a critical vote on a measure dealing with national security.
Bush, who has not officially entered the race, repeatedly said he is “not a candidate” but delivered what by all accounts was a stump speech Tuesday afternoon before telling reporters that it he is “nearing the end of the journey” about making a decision regarding entering the race.
“There’s a lot of support for a more-hopeful, optimistic message. So hopefully I’ll make my decision relatively soon. My expectation, my hope is I’ll be a candidate. I really do,” Bush said.
Bush said he “won’t be the last guy in” and is “pretty excited about the prospect” of running for president. He also joked about what is expected to be a crowded GOP field.
“It’s a rambunctious deal. We’ve got 75 people running,” Bush said. “There’s going to be some elbows and knees under the boards. This isn’t tiddlywinks we’re playing.”
Bush boasted of his achievements during his eight years as governor, ending in 2007, relating how he raised the graduation rate, lowered unemployment and raised the median income level, while shrinking state government.
He also used the “Florida story” as a lesson for the nation.
“We’re the kind of state that’s dynamic and aspirational and the kind of dreams that we have might be bigger than other places,” Bush said. “The net result is by believing in limited government, by having a passion for reform and having a resiliency that is the envy of the rest of the country, Florida’s done really well.”
Bush called his tenure as the state’s chief executive “a stark contrast” to the current situation in the nation’s capital.
“I was called a lot of things when I was governor, but I was called ‘Veto Corleone.’ This is the one I love the most,” Bush said. “We reduced the size of government by creating discipline.”
And he was unapologetic about the “Bush” name, which is viewed by some as a liability in a country that has already seen two Bush presidencies.
“I’ll use my brother, my sister, every relative, every person I can,” Bush told FOX News personality Neil Cavuto during a taping at the Disney Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center, where Scott’s summit was held.
Bush echoed themes expressed by the other GOP governors — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry — who spoke earlier in the day.
In his video message, Rubio hit on the generational divide that has become a cornerstone of his campaign narrative.
“Our outdated leaders continue to cling to outdated ideas,” the 44-year-old said, calling for a “new generation of leaders.”
Bush, a onetime mentor of Rubio, gave a sarcastic rejoinder when asked if Rubio was referring to the former governor.
“It’s kind of hard to imagine that my good friend Marco would be critical of his good friend Jeb,” Bush, 62, said.