Jeb Bush: Political reporters are 'crack addicts'

March 10, 2013 @ 12:13 pm


FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2013 file photo, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks in Austin, Texas. Jeb Bush has long resisted pressure from supporters to run for president. Now the former Florida governor is signaling that hes at least open to the idea, a shift that comes as he promotes a new book and as a divided Republican Party struggles to right itself. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) | Zoom

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Sunday likened political reporters to "crack addicts" and "heroin addicts" during a tour of morning talk shows that drew repeated questions about the still-distant 2016 presidential election.

Bush, capping a media-heavy week that sparked chatter about a presidential campaign for a third member of his family, tried to keep the conversation focused on his book "Immigration Wars." But as Bush wrapped up a conversation with NBC's David Gregory," he likened journalists and their questions about the 2016 campaign to drug addicts.

"Who's the hottest Florida politician right now? Is it you or Marco Rubio?" Gregory asked, referring to Rubio, a senator who is also a potential GOP contender. "Who are we more likely to see in the White House?"

"Man, you guys are crack addicts. You really are obsessed with all this politics," Bush replied.

The "Meet the Press" host interrupted, saying he'd been called a lot of things, but never a crack addict.

"OK, heroin addict. Is that better?" shot back Bush, the son of former President George H.W. Bush and brother of former President George W. Bush.

"We've got big challenges, and Marco Rubio, to his credit, is working on those. And he deserves a lot of credit for it, and I'm very proud of him," Jeb Bush said of his potential rival.

After Bush left the Florida governor's office in 2007, some urged him to jump into the 2012 race against President Barack Obama. But his brother's low approval ratings could have dragged him down, and there seemed little interest in a national campaign.

But with Republicans looking for a new message and messenger, Jeb Bush is signaling he's open to the possibility.

"I'm not saying yes. I'm just not saying no," Bush told NBC News last week.

Speaking Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union," Bush said, "When you asked me before 2012 _ Was I going to run in 2012? _ and I said no, I went through the process and decided it wasn't appropriate."

"Now, I've decided to defer any consideration of it until the proper time to make those kind of considerations, which is out, you know, more than a year from now, for sure," he said.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (6)


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  • CH wrote...
    sorry Jeb
    March 6, 2013 7:01 pm
    your brother fixed it so no 'bush' will EVER, EVER EVER have the keys to the WH in their pockets again.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    He's overqualified for the job
    March 10, 2013 11:02 am
    If current trends continue.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    Obsessed?
    March 10, 2013 11:06 am
    Jeb got himself on every Sunday show he could and then condemns the media for asking questions. Who's the addict?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hayduke wrote...
    And then there's this from Fox news this Sunday:
    March 10, 2013 6:44 pm
    “Do you think there is any Bush baggage?” Wallace wondered. “Do you think that would be a problem?”

    “No,” the former Florida governor replied. “I don’t think there’s any Bush baggage at all. I love my brother, I’m proud of his accomplishments, I love my dad, I am proud to be a Bush.”

    OK, now that's just hilarious. I would love to be the guy to ask him on camera, "Which accomplishments are you most proud of? Give me three specific examples."

    How bout it, RWNJ's? If Jeb runs, is his his doofus of a brother STILL off-limits? We're not allowed to bring up "He-who-shall-not-be-named" even if Jeb want's to try to capitalize on the "accomplishments?"

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    If possible
    March 10, 2013 7:38 pm
    Jeb looks even stupider than his brother. With republican short term memory loss they will probably endorse him because of name recognition.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Jeb Bush: My brother the 'crack head'
    March 10, 2013 9:33 pm
    that's just plain wrong Jeb, just plain wrong. Can we see your tax returns?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }