Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush presented himself as humble but strong in lengthy remarks on foreign policy and national security to the members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Tuesday.
Bush traveled to New York City to deliver a speech to the group while much of his competition is pounding the pavement in early nominating states with under two weeks remaining until the Iowa caucus.
“I have a confession to make, I actually start with the premise I don’t know everything,” Bush said. “I know what I don’t know, and it allows me to actually learn a lot and I think that’s a sign of a good leader.”
Bush continued to argue for a seemingly optimistic view of the future and swung at Donald Trump. Bush said Trump’s proposed tariff on China amounts to “the advocacy of a global depression” and that Trump would get “wiped out” if he made it to a general election.
“Restoring a 21st century vision of America’s leadership in the world I think is essential and hopefully the campaign will be a place where this is discussed from time to time,” Bush said. “Man, a girl can dream at least.”
The former Florida governor’s presidential campaign has not found much comfort in national polling, where he finishes fifth in RealClearPolitics’ average of polls. But Bush has some reason to remain optimistic in various primary states such as South Carolina, where he finishes fourth, but the average percentage of those who support him doubles his results nationally, according to RCP. He is also in the top tier in some New Hampshire polls.
Bush ranks sixth in the Washington Examiner‘s newest GOP presidential power rankings.
