Likely 2016 GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush wasted no time reaching out to an influential group of potential supporters hours after revealing his White House plans when he helped light a menorah on the first night of Hanukkah.
In Florida, Bush joined with Jason Lyons, who chaired the U.S.-Israel Security Alliance Congressional Tribute last month in Washington, for the tradition.
According to a release from the Friedlander Group, Bush, the former Florida governor, helped light a menorah, ate a traditional jelly donut and spun a driedel.
Lyons told Secrets, “Governor Jeb Bush, his lovely wife Columba and his son Jeb jr. participated in a beautiful Hanukkah lighting ceremony last night in his office. The governor was in great spirits, played with the children, spun the driedel and even had a bite of the traditional jelly doughnuts that are served on holiday.”
He added, “The governor values Jewish tradition and what the holidays symbolize. He was very excited about wanting to be a part of this beautiful tradition. The governor is extremely thoughtful and caring in regards to all religions and is very knowledgeable about their history.”
From the release:
In announcing his plans to explore a presidential bid on Facebook, Bush wrote “Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah” on his Facebook page.
That was seen as a bid for Jewish voters, which he has good ties to. “Bush likely would attract substantial Jewish Republican support because of the closeness of Jewish Republicans to his brother, former President George W. Bush, and because he is perceived as a moderate relative to other candidates,” according to JTA, a global Jewish new source.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
