Jeb Bush
Posted by Mike Falzone
on Feb 09, 2016
On February 8th, Presidential Candidate, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding his candidacy for President of the United States. Jeb Bush began his final appeal to New Hampshire voters on Monday, urging them to go with a "steady leader" over some of his less experienced, more combative rivals. He opened by acknowledging his friends and family who were accompanying him on the campaign trail. More than 100 folks from Florida were here in the cold stumping for him. He stressed the need to get back to common values.
Bush said he loved Rotarians because they work together to restore the country’s greatness, and often work for a common purpose.
Referring to Donald Trump, Bush said: "It's not strong to insult women. It's not strong to castigate Hispanics. It's not strong to ridicule the disabled. ... I think we need a president that actually believes in the American people." “I don’t like politicians who push down people to make themselves look good.”
"I can promise you it will happen in the next presidency -- there will be a conflict, there will be an attack, there might be an outbreak of a disease. Something is going to happen. ... 9/11 is an example of that," Bush said.
"All presidents have this opportunity and the question is, 'Who do you want to have to sit behind the big desk?' What kind of person do you want to have in this unforeseen, dynamic world where you don't know exactly how it all plays out. And I hope you want to have someone that actually has had some proven skills of leadership through life.
Mr. Bush talked about three stories of leadership. He said this wasn’t his normal stump speech, but wanted to honor Rotarians with something different.
1-He talked about spending 32 years in the private sector, and eight years as Governor of Florida. “I have the experience to lead this country.”
He detailed his experience as governor dealing with eight hurricanes, and four tropical storms, and how the reaction and stories of citizens shaped and affected him. “It made me a servant and helped me understand service first. That’s the heart I have, a servant leader.”
“No one ever heard me complain about FEMA, although I could have. Hurricane Katrina headed to Florida first, and we had a team of responders heading to help, but when the storm turned and went to Louisiana, we kept going. I did what was right.”
“I promise you the day I am sworn into office, I won’t blame President Obama for anything, It’s now on my watch.”
2-“ I learned to Listen more than talking. It’s doesn’t work being a leader unless you have a servants heart. It’s not about the people we elect, it’s about the people we serve.”
“Yelling isn’t strength.”
I won’t blame the dog ate my homework on anything. I hope you want someone in Washington who’s focused like a laser beam on solving problems. We’ll change the culture, and when we do, we’ll begin to change the mess of legislation, and taxation, and the things that hold people back.”
3- Finding ways to get to yes.
Nixon to China moment- find creative ways to get people to think differently to get things done.
“We need a leader who focuses on accepting responsibility personal and has the creativity to solve problems again, This country deserves more.”
“Dodd Frank, Obamacare, and the stimulus are the current administration’s big three accomplishments, where he worked with congress, and none of them had a republican vote. That’s not leadership. It never creates stability in our process.”
My pledge to you is I will use every ounce of energy I have to force consensus. It is not a sign or weakness so say I want to find common ground. It is not a sign of weakness to say I want to find a way to get to yes! You don’t violate your principles to do this.”
During the question period, he spoke about his accomplishments in Florida, term limits, the involvement of the younger folks getting involved in government; money in politics need to be more transparent and within 48 hours; Rebuilding and not politicizing the military, “It should be strong no matter who’s president.”
He mentioned strengthening veterans support; unfounded federal mandates; “It makes my head explode when the feds pass costs down to the states.”