Jeb Bush got a taste Thursday of how feisty New Hampshire Republicans can be, as he spent nearly an hour tackling questions from activists wary about his family, immigration and attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch.
The former Florida governor appeared at the Concord Snowshoe Club – and yes, there was still snow on the ground – the first of three scheduled stops in the nation’s first primary state this week. He is to appear before business executives Friday and then speak to a mass meeting of state Republicans.
Bush got a friendly reception, but also tough questions. He was asked by Bill Doherty, a Franklin retiree, asked “why should only two families produce the leaders in our country?” Hillary Clinton, First Lady from 1993 to 2001, is the current Democratic front-runner.
Bush joked that he was aware he could “break the tie between the Adams family and the Bush family.” John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams, were presidents in the 19th century.
“One way to get people to deal with this is to get people to laugh,” Bush said.
He then explained the challenges he faces as he mulls a White House bid. “Show my heart,” he said. “Show I care about people.” Talk about your record, he said, and talk about the future.
That was good enough for Doherty, who later said “he answered it fairly.”
On immigration, Bush explained how he would back legal status for certain immigrants now in this country illegally. That wasn’t okay with one audience member, and Bush told him “I’m not going to pull back.”
He also took a softer line than many Republicans on Lynch, who’s having trouble winning Senate confirmation.
"I think presidents have the right to pick their team in general," he said. “If someone is supportive of the president's policies, whether you agree with them or not, there should be some deference to the executive. This should not always be partisan."
Bush was critical of current Attorney General Eric Holder, who he said had politicized the office.
"The longer it takes to confirm her, the longer Eric Holder stays as attorney general, look at it that way," he added.
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