On Thursday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Jan Crawford reported on former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s resignation from a number of corporate and nonprofit boards ahead of a possible campaign for president in 2016 but also found time to lament about the challenge the GOP primary could present for Bush.
“Now, the challenge of Bush is going to be running a center right campaign for the Republican nomination,” Crawford stated. She then added that the reason for possible troubles in the Republican primary is because “this is a time when the party is enthusiastically embracing more conservative candidates.” [MP3 audio here [1]; Video below]
In addition, Crawford snuck in a dig at Republican Congressman Steve King (Iowa) in context of Bush turning down an invitation to a political forum he was holding that often features potential presidential candidates:
Bush is also signaling he would run a more centrist campaign. He recently declined an invitation by Iowa Congressman Steve King, a conservative hardliner, to speak at a political forum that will showcase other potential Republican contenders. King has made controversial comments on immigration, in stark contrast to Bush’s more moderate position on the issue.
As to why he had resigned from the numerous boards as well as signaling what type of campaign he’d run, Crawford interviewed Robert Costa of The Washington Post, who emphasized that:
Bush wants to be at the center of this race on his own terms, that's why he's moving in early. He doesn't want to bow to the right his party. He doesn’t want to be pressured by the press about his business interests. He wants to clear the deck now so he can start running in a few months and run hard.
The complete transcript of the segment that aired on the CBS Evening News on January 1 can be found below.
CBS Evening News
January 1, 2015
6:40 p.m. Eastern
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE CAPTION: Presidential Run?]
JEFF GLOR: Jeb Bush's final act of 2014 would seem to indicate more of his plans for 2016. Bush resigned from all corporate and nonprofit boards, a move that clears the way for a White House run. Here's Jan Crawford.
JAN CRAWFORD: The board resignation came two weeks after Jeb Bush announced he's actively explore ago run for president, the latest in a series of early moves by the former Florida Governor. Bush is also signaling he would run a more centrist campaign. He recently declined an invitation by Iowa Congressman Steve King, a conservative hardliner, to speak at a political forum that will showcase other potential Republican contenders. King has made controversial comments on immigration, in stark contrast to Bush’s more moderate position on the issue.
ROBERT COSTA: These latest moves signal to reporters, to press, to activists that he is in the race.
CRAWFORD: Robert Costa is a national political reporter for The Washington Post.
COSTA: Bush wants to be at the center of this race on his own terms, that's why he's moving in early. He doesn't want to bow to the right his party. He doesn’t want to be pressured by the press about his business interests. He wants to clear the deck now so he can start running in a few months and run hard.
CRAWFORD: Some Republicans have suggested Bush’s business dealings could be used against him in a campaign, much as Mitt Romeny’s were in the 2012 campaign. In a recent interview, Bush said Romney could have responded better.
JEB BUSH [IN DECEMBER 2014 INTERVIEW WITH WPLG-TV]: I think he got off message. He should have said, I'm a problem solver. My life has been about building things up and solving problems and moving forward.
CRAWFORD: Bush indicated he would take a different approach.
BUSH: We're creating jobs. We’re expanding business. I'm not ashamed of that at all.
CRAWFORD: Now, the challenge of Bush is going to be running a center right campaign for the Republican nomination. Jeff, this is a time when the party is enthusiastically embracing more conservative candidates.
GLOR: And, Jen, all this said, we're still 22 months away from the election, still very early.
CRAWFORD: Well, yes. I mean, this is early, but, you know, his aides say that is strategic why he's doing some of this now. He wants to show he can get out in front of potential issues that could be a problem for him. He wants to show he can define his message on his terms, that he can be a serious candidate and, Jeff, raise some serious money.
GLOR: Alright, Jan Crawford in Washington, thank you very much.
— Curtis Houck is News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Curtis Houck on Twitter. [2]