Jeb Bush on S.C. Confederate flag: 'I'm confident they will do the right thing'

CNN Politics ^ | June 20, 2015 | Ashley Killough

[2ndDivisionVet]

(VIDEO-AT-LINK)

When it comes to dealing with the Confederate flag, Jeb Bush isn't leaving much room for interpretation in his stance on the issue.

The former governor recalled Saturday how he ordered the removal of the flag from Florida state grounds in 2001, adding that he believes South Carolina will do "the right thing" as the state decides what to do about the controversial symbol that flies at the capitol in Columbia.

His comments come as 2016 presidential candidates face questions over how to handle the racially sensitive debate that follows the massacre of nine African-American parishioners by a white gunman in a Charleston church this week.

"My position on how to address the Confederate flag is clear," he said in a written statement. "In Florida we acted, moving the flag from the state grounds to a museum where it belonged. This is obviously a very sensitive time in South Carolina and our prayers are with the families, the AME church community and the entire state. Following a period of mourning there will rightly be a discussion among leaders in the state about how South Carolina should move forward, and I'm confident they will do the right thing."(continued)

[Lurkinanloomin]

I’m confident I will NEVER vote for Jebster.

(even if Hillary thanks me)

[cripplecreek]

It really doesn’t mean anything to me one way or the other but I do wonder how much longer b efore they start going after other state flags for other reasons.

My state flag has a man with a gun on it.

[samtheman]

The PC machine will try to roll over the man with the gun. That day will surely come.

[Red in Blue PA]

I will NEVER vote for this clown. Ever.

F him.

[SunkenCiv]

I'm confident most primary voters will do the right thing.

• Ted Cruz: It's up to South Carolina to decide on Confederate flag
• Mitt Romney: Take Down The Confederate Flag, It's 'a Symbol Of Racial Hatred'
• Lindsey Graham: It's him, not the flag
• Kanye West defies critics and wears controversial Confederate Flag jacket to boxing class

[Lionheartusa1]

I wonder if anyone realizes that over 80% of the Confederate soldiers who fought in the Civil War came from homes with no slaves and no interest in the slave issue . The planters who had sons could pay $300.00 to the Confederacy to avoid having their sons drafted .

[greene66]

The chances of me voting for Jeb are the exact same chances of me voting for Hillary. ZERO.

[Reno89519]

While Bush is NOT a conservative, I'm always surprised at the idiotic stances and excuses people make to fly the disgraced, defeated, and offensive confederate flag. Bush, (like Romney and others speaking on the topic), are right, it, like the Nazi flag, belongs in a museum. Go ahead, flame me.

Aside from the reality that there is no quicker way to lose an election than by flying or defending the Confederate flag, who's the last person to do so, David Duke? Not nice company to keep.

Here's an interesting article on the topic: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/conservatives-should-hate-confederate-flag/article/2566609

[TomServo]

Jeb Bush is a pansy.

[yarddog]

Walton County Courthouse, DeFuniak Springs, FL. I haven't been by the courthouse in a few years as my route to town does not go by the court house but I bet it is still there.

[dinodino]

If Jeb gets the nomination, I’M NOT VOTING. I’ll stay home.

[Reno89519]

Cruz gave a non-answer. What would he do? Will he and does he fly the flag? I suspect every candidate will be asked that question tomorrow and over the coming days. Non-answers, like Cruz’s, won’t work. Will any candidate openly defend the Confederate flag? My bet is no.

[cripplecreek]

The (Michigan) state coat of arms depicts a light blue shield, upon which the sun rises over a lake and peninsula, and a man with a raised hand representing peace and holding a long gun representing the fight for state and nation as a frontier state.

As supporters, the elk and moose are derived from the Hudson's Bay Company coat of arms, and depict great animals of Michigan. The bald eagle represents the United States which formed the State of Michigan from the Northwest Territory.

[cripplecreek]

Best answer. Its up to the people of the state.

[samtheman]

Nice. Someday the PC machine will target all of that.

[SunkenCiv]

The candidate who turns it around on the media accuser — IOW point out that it was a Democratic party emblem — will be ahead, immediately.

[SoFloFreeper]

Yep, this sure is a big big big big issue in America. South Carolina’s flag.

Forget ISIS murdering Christians.

Forget record low employment participations.

Forget skyrocketing debt.

Forget American’s losing control of their healthcare.

Forget the perversion of marriage.

Nope, focus on that flag—it’ll cure your ills!

[SunkenCiv]

thanks!

[Georgia Girl 2]

there’s an Oreo rainbow for ya. STFU Jeb.