Jeb Bush says there’s no ‘Bush baggage,’ leaves door open to run

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Sunday said the Bush family name will not drag down his political ambitions as he left open the possibility of running for president in 2016.

When asked whether the legacy of his brother, former President George W. Bush, who has a higher unfavorable than favorable rating, would be a liability, Bush said no.

{mosads}“I don’t think there’s any Bush baggage at all. I love my brother. I’m proud of his accomplishments. I love my dad. I’m proud to be a Bush and if I run for president it’s not because of something in my DNA that compels me to do it,” Bush said on “Fox News Sunday” after host Chris Wallace cited a poll showing the former president with a 49 percent unfavorable rating.

“It would be that it’s the right the thing to do for my family, that the conditions are right and that I have something to offer,” he added.

Bush took his name out of consideration in the lead-up to the 2012 Republican presidential primary. He has kept his name in the mix this year, however, and people close to him say he is considering the prospect of a White House campaign much more closely than before the last election cycle.

Last week, Bush said in an interview on the “Today” show that he would not rule out running in 2016.

On Sunday, Bush said he would make the decision at the proper time and in the proper context.

“We just had an election. The election occurred three months ago. It seems like you would be making decisions like that closer to the election than three months after the last one,” he said.

In an interview on CNN, Bush said the decision on a possible run is “more than a year from now for sure”

“I don’t know if I am going to run for elected office again or not. In the interim I have a blessed life, I have a great family, I get to advocate issues and ideas that I believe in, and I have a great life,” he added. “Who knows what the future holds for me.”

Ben Geman contributed.

This story was updated at 10:45 a.m.