Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush told reporters on Friday that presidential candidates “gotta show respect for Iowans” minutes before sharing his email address with voters at the Iowa State Fair.
Bush kicked off his remarks at the 10-day annual fair with a jab at Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, saying “we need a lot more transparency in politics today.”
“So here’s the deal — my email address, write it down and send me your thoughts: [email protected],” he said, while explaining to voters that he also made his email address and archives available while serving as governor of Florida.
Despite polling in sixth place among Republican primary voters in Hawkeye State, the Florida Republican says he will continue to “do the right thing” and “share [his] concerns about the plight of people.”
“Look, polls are irrelevant,” he said during an informal press conference alongside Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. “During the week of the 10 days of the state fair there will be people moving up and moving down; it’s always been that way.”
“When I campaign here, people get my passion [and] appeal,” Bush said, noting that his father, former President George H.W. Bush, “was probably an asterisk at this point” during the 1980 presidential campaign.
Before taking the stage at the Des Moines Register’s Soapbox, Bush briefly laid out his plan to win over Iowa-caucus goers who he says are “discerning voters [that] want to hear what’s on your mind.”
“Slow, steady progress each and every day,” Bush said. “I’m going to share who I am [and] have ideas that lift them up and gives them the sense that we can live in a secure world and over time I think I’ll be successful.”
Bush described his “record of success” during his eight years as governor of Florida as something that lawmakers in Washington “yearn for.”
“I’ve been a reform-minded governor,” he said, adding that “I haven’t been contaminated by that culture that always tries to demonize and divide. I’m from Florida.”
