Candidates must 'not turn off independent voters,' Bush said, according to CBS. Reports: Jeb Bush slams 2012ers

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday that he found it “troubling” that the 2012 presidential candidates are “appealing to people’s fears and emotion” on the campaign trail, according to reports.

Bush expressed concern about the type of rhetoric the candidates were using, but didn’t offer specifics or mention names.


“I used to be a conservative, and I watch these debates and I’m wondering, I don’t think I’ve changed, but it’s a little troubling sometimes when people are appealing to people’s fears and emotion rather than trying to get them to look over the horizon for a broader perspective, and that’s kind of where we are,” said Bush, according to Fox News.

“I think it changes when we get to the general election. I hope,” he added, according to wire service UPI.

He also asserted that it was important for the presidential candidates to appeal not only to Republican primary voters, but independent voters as well.

“I think it’s important for the candidates to recognize though they have to appeal to primary voters, and not turn off independent voters that will be part of a winning coalition,” he said, according to CBS.

“I know these men and they are very capable… but I’m kind of hopeful the primary process ends so we unite behind a candidate and eliminate the potential of a circular firing squad,” said Bush after the event, while dismissing that he would be a consensus candidate.

“That won’t happen… yeah… positive,” he told Fox News about the possibility of entering the race. “Next time [in 2016] I hope to work for the re-election of a Republican incumbent.”

Bush made the comments while answering questions from the audience after a speech in Dallas.

The former Florida Republican governor has not endorsed any of the candidates in his party currently running for the presidency.