Everyone has to like something about Barack Obama’s presidency — including Jeb Bush.
The former Florida governor — who is likely to launch a presidential campaign in the coming weeks — told radio host Michael Medved earlier this week that the NSA’s mass collection of Americans’ phone records happens to be one of his favorite parts of Obama’s presidency.
“I would say the best part of the Obama administration has been his continuance of the protections of the homeland using the big metadata programs, the NSA being enhanced,” Bush, a Republican, said. “Even though he never defends it, even though he never admits it, there has been a continuation of a very important service, which is the first obligation of our national government is to keep us safe.”
Bush added: “And the technologies that now can be applied to make that so, while protecting civil liberties are there. And he’s not abandoned them, even though there was some indication that he might.”
The NSA’s surveillance program, which was made public by former contractor Edward Snowden in June 2013, has drawn both criticism and support from both sides of the political aisle.
Bush’s support for the programs puts him in stark contrast with possible soon-to-be-rival Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has already launched his presidential campaign. In his announcement April 7, Paul declared: “The president created this vast dragnet by executive order. And as president on day one, I will immediately end this unconstitutional surveillance.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who has also launched his presidential campaign, was one of four Republicans to support a failed congressional bill that would have reformed the NSA.
The Patriot Act — the core of the surveillance program — is set to expire on June 1 unless Congress acts.
(H/T Huffington Post)
