In another clear step toward a possible presidential run in 2016, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush announced Tuesday he’s setting up a political action committee to support like-minded candidates as he actively explores a potential bid for the White House.
“Hey everybody — today we’re setting up the ’Right to Rise’ PAC, which is a PAC to support candidates that believe in conservative principles to allow all Americans to rise up,” he said in a video posted to his Facebook page.
A Spanish-language version of the video was also posted.
Under the “What We Believe” section of the PAC’s website, it reads that the group “will support candidates who want to restore the promise of America with a positive, conservative vision of reform and renewal.”
“We believe the income gap is real, but that only conservative principles can solve it by removing the barriers to upward mobility,” it reads. “We will celebrate success and risk-taking, protect liberty, cherish free enterprise, strengthen our national defense, embrace the energy revolution, fix our broken and obsolete immigration system, and give all children a better future by transforming our education system through choice, high standards and accountability. We will strive to put our fiscal house back in order, re-limit government and ensure that America is a welcoming society.”
The section also says that “we will not cede an inch of territory — no issues, no demographic groups, no voters — as we unite our citizens to strengthen America through greater economic growth and widespread prosperity.”
Mr. Bush said he would form such a leadership PAC when he announced last month that he had decided to actively explore the possibility of a presidential run. The committee will give Mr. Bush, the son of a former president and brother of another former president, an opportunity to start laying down early financial markers with much of the potential GOP field in 2016 still taking shape.
News of the PAC was first reported by Fox News.
A website for a separate “Right to Rise” super PAC — a group that, under law, can accept unlimited contributions but cannot coordinate with candidates — was also active Tuesday.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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