Jeb Bush Calls for Reforms, Return to Civility

From Cybercast News Service:

(CNSNews.com) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Saturday called on Republicans to stick to conservative principles, and he urged lawmakers across the country to institute conservative reforms.

"I hope that Republicans here in Washington and across the country don't do what is typical when there's a loss like occurred in November and that's to abandon conservative principles and redefine what it means to be a conservative, to be a little less like Democrats," said Bush. "That never works."

Speaking at the National Review Institute's Conservative Summit in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Bush encouraged conservative lawmakers to remain focused on limiting government.

"I would hope that the one common denominator that we all have is a bedrock belief in limited government, that there's an inverse relationship, if you will, between the size and scope of government and our individual freedom, and that individual freedom and liberty is where this country will grow and prosper," he said.

"Learning how to say, 'No' in Washington, D.C., is probably the first step to recovery," Bush said, calling for reforms to entitlement programs and earmark spending.

"It is important for us to fund the basic programs to take care of the needy, the disabled, those that truly need the help of government, but we don't need to be the end all and be all for every special interest group, for every constituent that you like, for every person that's given a fundraising check to your campaign, for everything that is just wrong about public policy and politics," he said.

Bush also called on Congress to cut taxes "whenever you can," a message he practiced as governor by signing tax-cutting budgets during each of his eight years in office. "That is one way that you can finally create a climate where government won't grow as fast as people's ability to pay for it."

Bush has denied that he is considering a run for president in 2008, but when questioned did not rule out running as a vice presidential candidate.

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Publius has a very sensible post on why Jeb Bush, although probably the most deserving of all the Bush clan, will NOT be elected President.