Jeb Bush said Monday that he will soon decide whether or not to run for president in 2016 and advised fellow Republicans on how he believes they should tackle issues.
"I'm thinking about running for president, and I'll make up my mind in short order -- you know, not that far out into the future, I don't know the exact timeline," Bush, former Florida governor, said Monday night at an event held by the Wall Street Journal.
His bid for presidency largely depends on whether he can "lift people's spirits and not get sucked into the vortex," as well as if the sacrifice for his family is "tolerable," Bush said.
"I don't know if I'd be a good candidate or a bad one. I kind of know how a Republican can win, whether it's me or somebody else-- and it has to be much more uplifting, much more positive, much more willing to be... 'lose the primary to win the general' without violating your principles. It's not an easy task, to be honest with you," said Bush
Bush believes the U.S. needs a "more active and engaged foreign policy," and that strengthening the military, along with continued aggressive intelligence gathering tactics, is essential to warding off "jihadist attacks."
He also urged Republicans to take full advantage of their majority in Congress to pass bills, instead of just opposing President Barack Obama, reported Reuters.
"Republicans need to show they're not just against things, that they're for a bunch of things. We have to show that we can, in an adult-like way, lead," Bush said, referencing the Keystone XL oil pipeline as an example.
Bush advocated for a slightly different approach to immigration: accept new immigrants based on the United States' economic needs -- a "first round draft pick" of sorts, he said.
"It's also probably the easiest way to get to sustained economic growth, which is what we desperately need," said Bush.
