Jeb 2.0: Bush Relaunches Campaign With E-book, Tour

Jeb Bush
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush speaks at the Growth and Opportunity Party at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, October 31, 2015.  Reuters

Republican Jeb Bush launched a campaign reboot on Monday after weeks of negative headlines to present himself as a can-do conservative who will fight what he called a "new age of cynicism" that has seeped into the 2016 presidential race.

Bush's bid for a political comeback began in Tampa, Florida, with a speech marking the start of a "Jeb Can Fix It Tour." At the same time, he released an e-book that reveals a more personal side to a candidate who has struggled on the public stage.

His dismal performance at a Republican presidential candidates' debate last week in Colorado was an added burden to a candidate once considered the favorite for the nomination to represent the party in the November 2016 election. Now, Bush suffers drooping opinion poll numbers and fund-raising.

In his speech, Bush attempted to resurrect his image as a joyful warrior, presenting himself as a positive force who implemented conservative policies as two-term governor of Florida from 1999-2007.

"I will do everything in my power to win this race," he said. "But there are some things I am not willing to do: I will not compromise my principles. I will not trade in an optimistic outlook to put on the cloak of an angry agitator."

Without mentioning by name the two Republican front-runners, non-politicians Donald Trump and Ben Carson, Bush sought to raise doubts about entrusting the reins of government to "someone who has never demonstrated the capacity to implement conservative ideas."

"And you can't just tell Congress, 'You're fired,' and go to a commercial break," Bush said, referring to Trump's signature line from his appearances on NBC's reality TV show, "The Apprentice."

Bush said, "The choice we face is whether to summon the courage to give rise to an era of new possibility or to indulge this new age of cynicism."

He also appeared to acknowledge that he lacks the style of some of his competitors, saying he has resisted a lot of advice lately on how to present himself.

"Some advice is more strategic. 'Nail that zinger.' 'Hide your inner wonk'," he said. "One, I can't be someone I'm not. And two, getting things done isn't about yelling into a camera."

He will take the message to South Carolina and then on a three-day bus tour of New Hampshire.

The tour coincides with the release of a 730-page e-book, entitled "Reply All." It is a compilation of many of the email exchanges he had with Floridians while governor.

The emails cover everything from his drive for tax cuts and education reform in Florida to immigration, his fluency in Spanish and dealing with hurricanes.

Beyond the work issues, there was plenty of the comical, such as when a 9-year-old girl wrote to tell him she did not like her piano lessons because "my teacher smells of dead alligators." She wanted to know if Jeb and brother George had taken piano while growing up.

"Yes, I had piano lessons," Bush emailed her. "It was tough and I didn't enjoy it. In fact, I wasn't that good at it. But you know what? It gave me discipline which helped me as an adult."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.