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)

[CdMGuy]

We need another Bush in the White House like I need a hole in my head. Just one more reason why I will not vote to give this guy the nomination. Keep that flag flying.

PS I am a Northerner.

[TNoldman]

I have a front licence plate that has an American Flag and a Confederate Battle Flag together. I’ m thinking of removing it from my truck and hanging it up in my garage.

I’m concerned that I am making myself and family a target of some wacho.

This is a sad day for our Country.

[Lopeover]

Jeb! Wants us to fly the Mexican flag & celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Oh, wait we already do that!

[trebb]

A bit of a misnomer in your rant. No current candidate would fly the Confederate flag as a symbol of his/her campaign. Cruz's "non-answer" is to keep from falling into the sort of trap that your rant indicates you would have him step into - if he stands with State's rights under the constitution, it will be jumped on as supporting the Confederate flag and that is just crap. The real issue isn't the flag, it's the 1st and 10th amendments and while one can decide to not like the Confederate flag, one can't condemn individuals and States for exercising their rights under the Constitution w/o condemning the Constitution too.

Folks wanting to get rid of "offensive crap" has been instrumental to those who have been destroying the Constitutional Rights and Freedoms of the People.

[Reno89519]

Flying the Confederate flag is not a state’s rights issue. Never has been. My guess is that Cruz, child of a legal emigrant family from Cuba could care less about the flag but doesn’t want to unnecessarily irritate part of his constituency, thus his, leave it to states, a non-answer. Personally, he should, like others, get off the fence and say how he feels. My complaint here is that he does this with illegal aliens as well. A pattern.