Jeb Bush Launches White House Bid
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is making a run for the White House.
"We will take command of our future once again in this country," said Bush.
Bush confirmed his bid in the 2016 presidential election on Monday afternoon at Miami Dade College's Kendall campus.
"We will lift our sights again, make opportunity common again, get events in the world moving our way again," Bush said. "We will get back on the side of free enterprise and free people."
Bush also added, "I know we can fix this. Because I've done it."
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He went on to talk about his work when he was the governor of Florida.
"We made Florida number one in job creation and number one in small business creation. 1.3 million new jobs, 4.4 percent growth, higher family income, eight balanced budgets, and tax cuts eight years in a row that saved our people and businesses 19 billion dollars," said Bush. "All this plus a bond upgrade to Triple-A compared to the sorry downgrade of America's credit in these years. That was the commitment, and that is the record that turned this state around."
Bush had an optimistic approach in his campaign message meant to even cross language barriers as he even spoke a bit of Spanish during his announcement.
"In any language, my message will be an optimistic one because I am certain that we can make the decades just ahead in America the greatest time ever to be alive in this world," said Bush.
During his speech, his mother Barbara Bush stood up and clapped for him, showing her support alongside his wife Columba Bush.
And with a competitive note, he ended his speech saying "I will take nothing and no one for granted. I will run with heart. I will run to win."
All this as competition is fierce in the primary field. Bush will be facing off against his protégé Senator Marco Rubio in his bid for the White House.
Rubio released a statement on Bush's decision Monday saying in part, "When I call Jeb Bush my friend, I mean he is someone I like, care for and respect. He and I have worked closely together for many years, on issues big and small. He is a passionate advocate for what he believes, and I welcome him to the race."
Bush's announcement comes on the heels of his trip to Europe where he visited longtime allies Germany, Poland and Estonia.
Bush is now expected to tour the early primary states.
He is entering a crowded primary field that also includes Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, among others.
CLICK HERE To Watch Jim DeFede Analyze Bush's Decision
In the Democratic field, Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is a front-runner.
Bush's announcement comes days after Clinton held a rally in New York billed by her staff as a debut moment for her second campaign for president.
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