Bush campaigns in central Iowa, contrasts his leadership with ‘loud voices’

INDIANOLA - Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush touted his leadership as a two-term Florida governor Thursday to prospective Iowa caucus-goers and hoped that experience would win him support over the untested 'loud voices” in the expansive GOP field when they make their choices next February.

'I believe that at the end of this process that people are going to want to know that you're a proven leader,” Bush told about 100 people who packed a Pizza Ranch restaurant to hear his message. 'That you've got a spine, that you've got a heart, that you have a backbone, that you have ideas to lift people up and that's what this campaign is all about.”

Bush lamented that national leaders in Washington have become too removed from everyday life and people's longings to have a system that works for them in an economic environment that allows them to improve their lives and thrive in a world where America once again is a strong, respected super power.

'It is not about the big voices on the stage, although that probably is entertaining for everybody,” he said. 'I believe we're on the verge of the greatest time to be alive, but we can't rely on the loud voices, we can't rely on untested people,” added Bush, who told Iowans that if they put their faith in his vision and abilities to lead the nation in a new direction, 'I won't let you down.”

'I have the leadership experiences to make this happen,” said Bush, who told the groups he learned about a principle-centered leader, one with 'a servant's heart,” while campaigning for his dad, George H.W. Bush, in Iowa in 1979 when his father and Ronald Reagan waged a civil campaign of competing ideas without 'demonizing” their opponents.

Earlier in the day, Bush drew contrasts between himself and a couple of his 2016 GOP competitors during a candidate forum in Des Moines hosted by the Iowa Caucus Consortium, a collection of business and media groups organized to highlight the state's first-in-the-nation presidential nominating event.

The Floridian highlighted his gubernatorial record and also made remarks that appeared to be an attempt to contrast himself with other GOP candidates, without naming them.

Bush said addressing the nation's issues will require more than 'just saying how bad things are,” a possible criticism of Republican front-runner Donald Trump, who has been criticized for talking about what's wrong with the country without offering specific policies.

'Instead of feeding people's angst, I think we should offer some solutions as to how we can fix this,” Bush said.

Bush also called for reducing the pay of elected federal officials for 'unexcused absences.” That may have been a criticism of Marco Rubio, who recently has missed several votes in the U.S. Senate while campaigning.

'They are our servants, not our masters,” Bush said of elected officials. 'Today, there is a feeling that it's the exact opposite.”

Trump has led most polls on the Republican race, both nationally and in Iowa, followed recently by Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina. Bush and Rubio frequently lead the rest of the field, along with Ted Cruz.

Bush's message resonated with Max Johnson of Johnston, who said he liked Bush's leadership.

Johnson said if he is leaning toward a GOP candidate, it's Bush. But he also likes Rubio and Fiorina.

'What I like about (Bush) … is he is a leader. He's done it. He's been there,” Johnson said. 'We can speak all we want about the people from the outside - Fiorina, Ben Carson, forget Trump - good people, but (Bush) is a proven leader. He's done it all.”

Bush also spoke about changing the culture of Washington to reduce federal government spending. He advocated for presidential line-item vetoes and a balanced budget requirement.

'We're never going to solve our problems unless we create a different culture in Washington,” Bush said.

Bush also said he wants to spur economic growth by reducing corporate tax rates, eliminating 'carve-outs” and reducing regulations.

'When we solve problems and we grow our economy, everybody benefits,” Bush said. 'We need to expand the (economic) pie and make sure everybody has the capacity to pursue their passions with a vengeance.”

During a question-and-answer session, Bush said to preserve Social Security he would be willing to raise the retirement age and reduce benefits for the wealthy. To help older workers, he said he would eliminate payroll taxes on those who work beyond 67.

He also said he would not reauthorize the Voting Rights Act 'as is.” The law was passed in 1965 to ensure equal voting rights for minorities. Bush said he thinks there has been 'dramatic improvement in access to voting,” thus reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act is not necessary.

Democrats promptly pounced on Bush's comment about the Voting Rights Act, with Democratic National Committee National Director of Voter Expansion Pratt Wiley issuing a statement in which he accused Bush and Republicans of trying make voting 'harder instead of easier.”

'Jeb Bush's opposition to the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act can only mean one of two things: he is either oblivious to the voter suppression tactics that have been deployed against women, students, seniors, and communities of color in recent elections, or he agrees with those efforts,” Wiley's statement said. 'Given the fact that voter restriction efforts in states like Alabama and Kansas have received national attention in the past few weeks, I think it's safe to say that Bush is not oblivious.”

When asked about privacy protections for personal information and data stored digitally in what's known as 'the cloud,” Bush said a balance must be struck between 'personal liberty” and 'protecting the homeland.”