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President wants brother to run again

In an interview with Florida reporters, Bush said his brother had been an excellent governor and would make a great president.

By BILL ADAIR
Published May 10, 2006

ORLANDO - President Bush would like to see his brother Jeb run for office again and says he would make "a great president."

In an interview with Florida reporters, Bush said his brother had been an excellent governor and is well-suited for another office. "I would like to see Jeb run at some point in time, but I have no idea if that's his intention or not."

Bush said he had "pushed him fairly hard about what he intends to do," but Jeb has not said.

"I have no idea what he's going to do. I've asked him that question myself. I truly don't think he knows," Bush said.

The president said his brother's "political future is very bright - if he chooses to have a political future. But he is an independent-minded guy. His priority is his family."

Asked if Jeb should run for president, Bush said, "I think Jeb would be a great president. But it's up to Jeb to make a decision to run."

The 55-minute interview with reporters from seven Florida newspapers covered everything from oil drilling to the Florida senate race.

Bush said he was open to the oil drilling compromises in Congress as long as they did not allow drilling closer than 100 miles.

"They're having lots of discussions up there, but my line is, not within 100 miles," Bush said.

His response suggests that Bush could support any of the plans under consideration, including an expansive one by Sen. Pete Domenici, D-N.M., that is opposed by the Florida delegation.

Bush sidestepped questions about the Florida Senate race and whether he would endorse someone other than U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris.

"I will support the nominee of the party," he said.

Asked about the praise that his political director, Sara Taylor, made last week about state House Speaker Allan Bense, who may challenge Harris, Bush said he was unaware of those comments. He said that Taylor and his chief political adviser are often consulted by potential candidates.

"There's a lot of people asking for advice. I think it's fine for the White House to be giving solid advice without trying to pick - without getting involved in open primaries," he said.

 Bush also made his first public comments on a recent letter from Iran's president on the
country's nuclear program.

"It looks like it did not answer the main question that the world is asking and that is, "When will you get rid of your nuclear program?','' Bush said.

The president said, "Britain, France, Germany - coupled with the United States and Russia and China have all agreed that the Iranians should not have a weapon or the capacity to make a weapon. There is a universal agreement toward that goal and the letter didn't address that
question.''

Bush said the administration was trying to find a diplomatic solution.

"Diplomacy takes a while when you are dealing with different nations like those that sat around the table with Condi Rice the other night.''

[Last modified May 10, 2006, 11:00:36]