Some Republicans are upset with the extremist rhetoric that has emerged from the presidential primary campaign. Count former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush as one of them,
Fox News reports.
"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,” he said, answering questions after a speech in Dallas Thursday.
“And that's kind of where we are. I think it changes when we get to the general election. I hope."
Bush said the candidates must be mindful during the primary process not to alienate moderate and independent voters whom they will need to win the general election.
“I think it’s important for the candidates to recognize that 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.
Bush also offered criticism of President Barack Obama’s economic policy, Fox reports.
"If you want to narrow the income gap, there are two ways to do it,” he said. “One, you punish people that are successful and try to narrow it that way. That's the president's approach. Or you equip people that aspire for a better life to give them the tools, and then you don't try to manage that,” he said.
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