Jeb Bush wades into thorny Georgia battles

The Albany Herald / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | March 19, 2015 | Greg Bluestein

[2ndDivisionVet]

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush made his case to state leaders at the Georgia statehouse Thursday and waded into several thorny policy debates facing legislators as he prepares a likely run for the White House.

Bush said he approved of a state push to legalize medical marijuana and gave a tacit endorsement to the Republicans behind a controversial "religious liberty" measure. He also urged lawmakers to embrace school choice legislation and talked with Gov. Nathan Deal about the Georgian's plan to give the state broad new powers to intervene in struggling schools.

The likely candidate was in town as part of a Southern swing to meet with influential politicians and headline a fundraiser. He could face a particularly tough battle in Georgia, where his more moderate stances on immigration and the Common Core education standards could clash with a strong conservative strain of GOP politics.

"It's going to be very difficult for him. The folks that support him are no different than the folks who support Mitt Romney," said Maria Zack....

[RightOnTheBorder]

Are there any other candidates starting their run by arguing with their base? This guy must really trust the GOPer machine. I will say one thing for him, either because he doesn’t want to or thinks he doesn’t have to, he is not lying about his lefty inclinations.

[Nuc 1.1]

The likely candidate?

What presumption. Jeb will go the way of Howard Dean. Who will be the establishment replacement?

[2ndDivisionVet]

They'll think of somebody.

[Nifster]

I stand with Ted.

I doubt that this Rino will do well in Georgia

[Nuc 1.1]

Interesting group. I think Christie is a non starter this season. I would think Kasich (hope I spelled that right) rather than Rubio. OTOH I have severe trust issues with Rubio. So all in all a good selection you have there.