Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is supporting his 85-year-old mother in her apparent feud with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, while also praising the former GOP vice presidential candidate for having “fantastic political instincts.”
In an exclusive interview Monday, Bush told Newsmax.TV: “If it’s between my mom and Gov. Palin, I’ve got to go with my mom, just in general, because she’s my mother."
He added with a smile, "So you’re not going to get me in trouble with disagreeing with my beloved mother of 85 years, who occasionally from time to time says things that give us all great joy, and sometimes some consternation.”
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In a recent appearance on CNN, host Larry King asked former first lady Barbara Bush for her take on the outspoken Palin.
“Well, I sat next to her once, thought she was beautiful, and I think she's very happy in Alaska,” Mrs. Bush replied. “And I hope she'll stay there.”
That prompted Palin in a radio interview with conservative host Laura Ingraham to retort: "I don't want to sort of concede that we have to get used to this kind of thing because I think the majority of Americans don't want to put up with the blue bloods — and I say it with all due respect because I love the Bushes — but the blue bloods who want to pick and choose their winners instead of allowing competition to pick and choose the winners."
While siding with his redoubtable mother, Jeb Bush went out of his way to compliment Palin’s political acumen, saying: ”She has an incredible skill to connect with people. She has fantastic political instincts, I think.”
The younger brother of former President George W. Bush added that all candidates in the 2012 presidential field have strengths and weaknesses.
Overcoming the liabilities, while emphasizing one’s strengths, will be the key, he said.
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