OKLAHOMA CITY — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush criticized the GOP’s failure to attract young and minority voters in a speech at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference on Friday. He reminded the Oklahoman audience that the GOP should make winning its top priority.
“I think we need to get beyond preaching to the choir,” Bush said. “Go campaign in the Latino barrios, on the college campuses that haven’t heard a conservative in a while, and in the black churches.”
Bush said he was proud of his family’s record of governance, and criticized other Republicans looking to undo the policies of President George W. Bush. Jeb Bush followed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on stage and said he agreed with Christie’s plea that the GOP support reauthorization of the Patriot Act.
“Reauthorization of the Patriot Act is definitely part of a comprehensive strategy for foreign policy,” Bush said. “There is ample evidence that it is a tool to keep us safe.”
Bush said Republicans must promote an optimistic vision for the future if they hope to win, and cited his record as evidence that the Republican Party could take back the White House.
“I’m proud of this record,” Bush said. “We limited the government the old fashioned way: by doing it each and every day. Government will grow if you don’t keep your eye on the ball.”
