Political Activity
At the age of 12, Bush spoke before the 1988 Republican National Convention, which nominated his grandfather. He also spoke at the 1992 convention, when H.W. Bush was renominated. He campaigned for his uncle, George W. Bush, during the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns. In his speeches he stated support for his uncle's position in favor of comprehensive immigration reform.
He has been outspoken on certain issues. In August 2004, during a trip to Mexico sponsored by the group Republicans Abroad, he called Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez a dictator and criticized the U.S. Border Patrol's use of guns which fire plastic pellets packed with chili powder. Bush was quoted as telling Mexican media, "If there has been American approval for this policy, that is reprehensible. It's kind of barbarous." He attributed the gun usage to "some local INS guy who's trying to be tough, act macho", although it is an agency policy.
When asked in 2003 about whether he planned to run for office himself, Bush replied that his grandmother, Barbara Bush, had advised that anyone thinking about entering politics should distinguish himself in some other field first: "Make a name for yourself, have a family, marry someone great, have some kids, buy a house, pay taxes, and do the things everyone also does instead of just running out and saying, 'Hey, I'm the nephew of or the son of or the grandson of...'." Speaking specifically of his father's White House ambitions, he cites "Bush fatigue" as a discouraging factor.
Bush criticized Florida Governor Charlie Crist for accepting money from the stimulus package, calling for a return to fiscal conservatism. In January 2010, he endorsed Marco Rubio, Crist's opponent for the United States Senate.
Bush stated in September 2012 his intention to run for office, saying that he was considering one of several state offices. On November 7, 2012 Bush filed papers required to run for state office in Texas. Also in November, his father sent an email to donors requesting that they support him in his bid for Texas Land Commissioner in 2014. He is currently deputy finance chairman of the Republican Party of Texas.
Read more about this topic: George P. Bush
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