Jeb Bush: I'm 'thinking about' 2016

Jeb Bush on Wednesday was the most vocal he’s been about considering a run for the White House in 2016.

The Republican told a crowd of about 200 people at a Catholic Charities fundraiser in New York that he is “thinking about running for president,” according to an attendee.


The response came to one of the first questions posed to Bush at the Union League luncheon. After his answer, the room went wild, and then someone said they hoped he would take the step.

( PHOTOS: 2016: Who’s next?)

“Would you call and tell my mom?” Bush quipped, a reference to his mother Barbara Bush’s comments that there have been enough Bushes in the White House.

The former Florida governor said he would make a decision right after this year’s midterm elections.

Among those on hand was former CNBC host Larry Kudlow, who urged Bush on, the attendee said, and John Catsimatidis, the former Republican candidate for New York City mayor.

Bush was praised by Kudlow for his focus on immigration reform and urged not to back down.

( Also on POLITICO: Will Jeb run in 2016? Ask his family.)

“Why would I back down from it? It’s the right thing to do…we’ve got to be an inclusive party,” Bush said, according to the attendee.

On his support of Common Core educational standards, Bush noted, “I’m getting hit from both sides on this one.”

According to the attendee, Bush specifically singled out a recent column by The Wall Street Journal’s Peggy Noonan, an influential conservative voice who criticized Bush over his support for Common Core.

Bush defended himself, saying it was necessary to focus on education and the standards by which to measure performance in schools, the attendee said.