Bush defends his conservative principles, leadership in Iowa visit

URBANDALE - Jeb Bush is 'seriously considering the possibility of running for president.”

With that legal disclaimer out of the way, the former Florida governor told an Iowa audience Friday night he has a lot of fond memories of Iowa and is likely to make more.

On his first trip to Iowa in three years, Bush, who has been characterized as a 'moderate,” introduced himself as a tax-cutting, government-reforming conservative.

As governor of a purple state, Bush said he cut taxes every year, a total of $119 million over eight years and reduced the state government workforce by 13,000 people while the Florida economy created 1.3 million jobs. He vetoed more than 2,500 line items in the state budget, ended affirmative action but increased the number of black and Hispanic students in college, instituted a statewide voucher program, and eliminated social promotion.

'I acted on my conservative principles,” Bush said at a fundraiser for 3rd District Rep. David Young's re-election at Living History Farms in Urbandale. 'This conservative record of accomplishment, I think, is what's necessary for our country to get back on track.”

Bush met with about three dozen people at a private reception for Young. Tickets were $1,000 to $2,500 per person. He also met with about 100 people at a $100-a-plate dessert reception.

After asserting his conservative bona fides, Bush, who spoke and answered questions for 20 minutes, addressed the other question about his likelihood of winning over Republicans in Iowa and the nation.

He rejected the idea of 'Bush fatigue.” Bush believes Iowans want to get to know all of the candidates and won't discount anyone solely on their name.

'I'm going to go make my case and, once people know my record as governor and know my life experience, I think I'll get a fair hearing,” Bush told Radio Iowa earlier in the day.

Bud Hockenberg, a Polk County GOP activist who attended the desert reception, agreed Bush won't be judged on his pedigree, but what he says and does.

'In the digital age, what happened last week is old news,” Hockenberg said.

Hockenberg called the visit 'preliminary … introductory” and said Bush should remind audiences 'Iowans are family to the Bushes … for at least three decades.”

Bush, who hasn't been in Iowa since speaking to the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce in October 2012, talked about fond memories of campaigning in Iowa with his father, President George H.W. Bush in the 1980s.

'I've been in Iowa where my dad lost and I've been there when he won,” he said, adding that he preferred winning.

'I think the lesson learned that I took away from Iowa in my forays in there for my dad and my brother is that you've got to be all in,” he told Radio Iowa.

He also indicated he'll campaign here in the caucus tradition.

'You've got to really take the time to meet people and campaign there actively one-on-one and on a personal level,” he said before the fundraiser.

Bush, who will speak at the Iowa Ag Summit at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines Saturday, said he hopes the 2016 presidential campaign 'will be about what we believe in, what we are for, that we draw people toward our cause, that we're not as reactionary, that we are much more positive about the future of our country.”

If Republicans do that, if they 'fix” the country, America will lead the world for a long, long time.

'That should be worth fighting for,” he said, urging his audience to stay involved.

'I intend to stay involved in some fashion,” Bush said. 'I'll let you know later what that fashion turns out to be.”

Saturday, after the Ag Summit appearance, Bush will head to Cedar Rapids. He'll meet supporters at Pizza Ranch, 2450 Westdale Drive SW, at 5:30 p.m.