Former Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush wants to find “someone” to run against President Donald Trump in the 2020 Republican presidential primaries.
Bush reportedly made the declaration in an upcoming episode of CNN’s “The Axe Files,” hosted by former Obama advisor and confidante David Axelrod, who tweeted the news on Friday.
“I think someone should run just because Republicans ought to be given a choice,” Bush said. “It’s hard to beat a sitting president, but to have a conversation about what it is to be a conservative — I think it’s important.”
Then-Republican presidential hopefuls Donald Trump (L) and Jeb Bush high five during the Republican Presidential Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California on Sept. 16, 2015. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
Although Bush was an early favorite to win the GOP nomination in 2016, he dropped out of the contest early after losing in South Carolina. (RELATED: ‘He Was A Terrible Candidate:’ Meghan McCain Savages Jeb Bush’s Conservative Credentials)
.@JebBush: Republican should challenge @realDonaldTrump in ‘20.
“I think someone should run just because Republicans ought to be given a choice… It’s hard to beat a sitting President, but to have a conversation about what it is to be a conservative, I think it’s important.” pic.twitter.com/ExITI44xM0— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) March 15, 2019
Axelrod continued tweeting that the interview with Bush had proven to be “incredibly candid on all fronts” in terms of the former governor’s opinions on the current president, his policies and the Republican Party.
.@JebBush was incredibly candid on all fronts in this #AxeFiles conversation—about his own successes and failures; his brother and family; and his views of where his party and the country are today. Please join us, at 7 pm ET on Saturday on @CNN!
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) March 15, 2019
Bush reportedly also suggested that Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan might be the person to take up the nomination challenge. Bush spoke at Hogan’s Inauguration Day ceremonies and he told CNN that he “kind of got a sense that maybe this was an opening” for Hogan to consider a presidential campaign. (RELATED: Maryland Gov Pledges To ‘Get Even Tougher’ On Baltimore Crime)
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan speaks at the MGM National Harbor Grand Opening Celebration on Dec. 8, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland. Larry French/Getty Images for MGM National Harbor
Bush wouldn’t say if he believes Hogan plans to run or not. He further told Axelrod that Republicans must “offer a compelling alternative” to Democratic ideas rather than just calling their ideas “bad,” according to CNN.
