Jeb Bush says economy makes Obama vulnerable

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that any GOP presidential candidate who survives "all the masochistic things you've got to do to run" for the White House can beat President Barack Obama in 2012 because the economy is in such bad shape.

Bush said he is not ready to endorse any Republican, although he believes the contenders who have led a state as governor have the best "practical, real world experience" to lead the nation.

"I think any ... nominee can beat the president right now given the state of the economy and the increasing number of people who correctly believe his economic policies have failed," Bush said in an interview with the editorial board of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Still, Obama won't go down easily, Bush acknowledged.

"He'll be a formidable candidate because he'll raise a lot of money and he's a good candidate, but these are tough times and you can't blame away this," Bush said, referring to the economy, which began tanking when his brother George W. Bush was president. "He's been president for three years."

Democrats and Obama argue that President Bush's policies led to the nation's economic collapse and that Obama's efforts to stimulate the economy and rescue industries have prevented a depression.

Jeb Bush was visiting Las Vegas to support Gov. Brian Sandoval's education policies, including many patterned after Florida's successful moves under Bush to improve schools and student performance. The two men appeared together before the editorial board, but Bush's political comments came before the Nevada governor arrived a bit late for the session.

Bush also helped raise money for Sandoval's political coffers at a fundraising dinner at The Venetian. Contributions ranged from $1,000 per person to $10,000 to host a table.

Bush said there are two reasons he believes Obama can't win re-election: Americans generally are disgusted with politics and leaders, and people "think the president's policies are not working."

In Nevada, the unemployment rate is 13.4 percent, the highest in the nation after tens of thousands of jobs have disappeared since 2008. The state also has a record home foreclosure rate.

"It's not a happy time to be in political life," Bush said. "It hasn't changed. It's just gotten worse."

By the numbers, Bush said independent voters have shifted away from Democrats since 2006 and 2008 when they backed Obama and have swung back toward Republicans since the 2010 elections.

"I think independent voters might be a little leery (of Obama) this time," Bush said.

The former governor appeared to be happy to be out of the political fray.

The son of former President George H. Bush, he all but ruled out continuing the dynasty by ever running himself. He said a new generation of GOP leaders, such as Sandoval, other new Republican governors and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, would have a better White House chance.

"You never say never, but I don't fret about it much," Bush said of his presidential ambitions.

"I'm not touting Sandoval for president, but there's a whole new group of young, dynamic Republican leaders," Bush said. "Our bench is really strong. Marco Rubio would be an example of that. I think Brian is. The governor and a lot of others. A lot of great new governors."

Elected in 2010, Sandoval has said he plans to complete his four-year term despite talk that he might be a vice presidential contender, given his popularity and crossover appeal with Hispanics.

Sandoval endorsed Texas Gov. Rick Perry last month, giving him a boost in the state where Romney is seen as the man to beat. Romney won the Nevada GOP presidential caucuses in 2008.

Bush said he is waiting to endorse the candidate with the best economic plan. He said he didn't know whether he would wait until after the Jan. 31 primary in Florida to back a candidate as he did the last time when he endorsed U.S. Sen. John McCain after his Florida victory on his way to the nomination.

No matter what, Bush said he is sure the campaign crucible will be hardest on Republican candidates with a long record to defend, such as Perry.

Already, everything from Perry's immigration and tax record to a painted-over racist sign at a family hunting lodge has drawn critical coverage. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been targeted for approving a health care overhaul plan much like Obama's. And former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman has been tainted in some GOP quarters for serving as Obama's U.S. ambassador to China.

"Whoever walks on the hot coals and does all the masochistic things you've got to do to run for president will be in good shape" to beat Obama, Bush said. "Under normal circumstances, having a record and having to lead would be good attributes to run for president. But in the world of politics today, you know, provocative leadership, you get challenged."

Contact Laura Myers at lmyers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919. Follow @lmyerslvrj on Twitter.