In an interview with CNN scheduled to air Thursday at 4 p.m., former President George W. Bush tells Jake Tapper he wants his younger brother to participate in the next election, USA TODAY reported.
"I hope Jeb runs," Bush said. "I think he would be a great president. I have no clue what's on his mind. We'll talk when he's ready."
Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, has been traveling across the country as he prompts speculation about a possible run for president. According to recent polls, he generally remains as the number one GOP pick, in addition to potential candidates like U.S. Sen. Rand Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
However, a Quinnipiac University poll released on Thursday shows in a potential Jeb Bush-Hillary Clinton match-up, Bush would trail Clinton in the swing-state of Florida, where he was once the state's top lawmaker.
"With former Gov. Jeb Bush making noises about a possible 2016 candidacy, his support among Republicans in the Sunshine State appears to be solidifying. He still trails Hillary Clinton in a general election matchup, but he is the only potential GOP nominee who gets within single digits of her," Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, told CNN.
George W. Bush claims his brother isn't following poll numbers too frequently.
"He's checking his core," Bush said of his younger brother, who is more likely thinking about the consequences of a run on his family.
He also said the two haven't really discussed the upcoming presidential election too much, though he'd be happy to talk about it more with him.
"Hey, Jeb, if you need some advice give me a call," Bush told Tapper.
