Elections

Trump Was Right — In Book, Jeb Credits His Wife For His Immigration Views

Scott Greer Contributor
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In the first two sentences of Jeb Bush’s book, “Immigration Wars,” the former Florida governor credits his wife Columba with shaping his views on immigration.

That might come as a surprise to some voters, after Bush demanded that Donald Trump apologize Wednesday night for making the same point.

Bush was asked during CNN’s Republican primary debate what he thought about Trump’s statement to CNN in July: “If my wife were from Mexico, I think I would have a soft spot for people from Mexico.”

Bush, whose wife was born and raised in Mexico, demanded an apology from the real estate mogul.

Trump refused to apologize, “because I’ve said nothing wrong.” (RELATED: Jeb Demands Apology From Trump Over Wife Remarks, But Billionaire Refuses [VIDEO])

Trump and Jeb debating

Despite Bush’s apparent irritation, in the opening lines of his 2013 book, “Immigration Wars,” he admitted that his wife Columba had in fact shaped his views on immigration.

“Immigration to me is personal. It means my wife and my family,” Bush wrote in the very first two sentences of the book.

Two paragraphs later, Bush explains specifically how his wife influenced him on the issue:

“Thanks to my wife, I became bicultural and bilingual, and my life is better because of it. For the first time in my life, I learned what the immigrant experience was, and I grew to appreciate her desire to learn English and embrace American values, while still retaining her love for the traditions of Mexico,” the former governor wrote.

Bush has been outspoken in his support of immigration reform and “Immigration Wars” details his policy ideas on the issue.

Trump has criticized Bush’s views on immigration and has characterized them as “weak.”

But on one issue, they appear to agree: Columba Bush influenced Jeb’s immigration views.

Here are the passages from “Immigration Wars” where Bush credits his wife’s influence:
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