Potential voters attracted to Bush’s experience

BEDFORD, N. H. — Jeb Bush filled a middle school gym. And then some.

Supporters ranged from an octogenarian political button collector to a 7-year-old who said he was supporting the GOP contender because of Jeb’s “cool” name.

Voters packed into a local school gymnasium, furnished with plastic tables stacked with Dunkin’ Donuts, to the tune of reverberating country music to listen to the presidential hopeful.

“I like that Jeb’s experienced,” said one primary voter, a registered Independent. when asked about choosing to attend this rally rather than any of the others being held by GOP candidates. “It makes me feel safer.”

Bush’s robust political experience as a longtime governor of Florida has attracted many primary voters. and Bush is more than aware of the sway this experience may have, especially in light of other, less experienced competitors.

“Strength isn’t measured by anything but a responsible track record,” Bush said. “I had a 67 percent approval rate in Florida, not necessarily because they liked what I did, but because they knew where I stood and I worked.”

Bush cited a number of his successful policy initiatives, calling them well favored even in the face of one of the most politically diverse swing states. That record includes balancing the Florida budget to include a $9 billion  excess, revitalizing the individualized education plan system and incentivizing Florida state colleges and universities to create the lowest in-state tuition rates in the country.

Looking forward, Bush discussed his hopes of major Veterans Affairs reform, more aggressive military engagement in the Middle East and lowering debt in the federal budget.

“He’s a family man and he’s a Godly man and that means a lot to me,” said a primary voter. “I’m not a Christian, but I respect the values there.”

Another voter explained the importance of character in potential candidates, saying: “When it gets down to it, Congress is the one that makes things happen. I want the president to have the decision-making skills to lead it, so the character outweighs the issues in that sense to me.”

Bush’s first gesture of thanks went not to rally-goers, campaign managers or parents, but to his wife.

“My wife is not a political wife,” Bush told rally-goers. “She’s my soulmate.”

Later, when asked about the drug addiction epidemic in the United States and specifically in New Hampshire, Bush became visibly emotional as he described his own daughter Noelle’s battle. It marked the first instance Bush has spoken of Noelle’s history with drugs in her presence. Her battle with drugs became known in 2002 when Bush was governor of Florida.

In a final effort to underscore his family-centered persona, Bush told rally-goers about his mother’s disappointment with him after he called candidate Donald Trump a jerk.

“It’s not like the word jerk is even that bad,” Bush joked.

“He’s a genuine guy and you could tell that today,” said a primary voter. “I think he really shined today where he sometimes doesn’t on TV.”

Bush has faced descriptions such as introverted, cerebral and static. He’s been compared to his brother, former President George W. Bush, falling short of the latter’s likeable cowboy swagger.

Mike Bender, a writer for Bloomberg Politics, expressed his own opinion on Jeb Bush’s performance at the rally.

“Bush just doesn’t translate into quick 30-, 90-second video or sound clips,” Bender said. “You’ve got to see him communicate in person to really get him.”