Bush speaks to Grand Strand Republicans while exploring presidential bid

“This way, Mr. President,” one man shouted at former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush during his visit Wednesday in Myrtle Beach.

“Just call me Jeb, please,” Bush said as he posed for one of the dozens of photo opportunities he stood for at the Horry County Republican breakfast welcoming the potential presidential hopeful.

Nearly 300 people filled Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse to hear Bush differentiate himself from his presidential brother, George W., and father, George H.W.; criticize President Obama’s Affordable Care Act and offer answers on what the next president should do regarding immigration, education and finding a “fix” for how things currently are.

“Hopefully the [20]16 campaign will be about how do we fix how we tax, how we regulate, how we embrace the energy revolution in our country, how we fix our entitlement system and deal with the structural fiscal debt and the deficits that we have so that we can create high, sustained economic growth where more people have a chance at success,” Bush said.

Bush touted his successes as Florida governor, including cutting taxes by $19 billion during his tenure and reducing the state government workforce by 13,000.

“Everybody that I know wants to rise up,” Bush said. “They want to achieve earned success. They don’t want to get a hand out. So we need to figure out how do we create a society again that is an opportunity society? Not one that strives to get a guarantee of results, but one where we build capacity so that people can build the biggest possible dreams... Going forward, we have to fix a few big, complex things. If we do, this will be the most extraordinary time to be alive as a young person and for all of us.”

Bush casually strolled to the breakfast from nearby Fairfield Inn.

At 6-foot, 3-inches, Bush stood tall among those seeking a picture with him. He wore his signature glasses with dark frames at the temples and brows.

Though Bush continued his quest to distance himself from the presidential baggage some believe his name brings to the Oval Office, there was no mistaking his family roots as he made a close reference to his brother’s education initiative of No Child Left Behind, and his laugh even featured the noticeable bouncing shoulders that comedians often mock about his presidential family members.

Bush did not talk with reporters, who ranged from local media to The Washington Post, before or after his speech. He also did not address Gov. Nikki Haley’s refusal Tuesday to give an early endorsement to any GOP presidential hopeful — a move that is seen would help any candidate considering South Carolina hosts the first presidential primary in the South. Haley waited until weeks before the last election before endorsing Mitt Romney.

Bush did commend Haley for doing her best to improve the education system with Common Core, and said it is the role of states to address education as they see fit.

“In Florida, we eliminated social promotion in third grade, this insidious policy that exists and it’s just beginning to change here in South Carolina thanks to Gov. Haley,” Bush said.

Bush said he would head back to the Grand Strand if he decided to run for president in 2016.

“I am seriously considering the possibility of this and in a few months time, I’ll make up my mind,” he said. “If I do, I’ll come back here with a more pointed advocacy asking for your support.”

Robert Rabon, chairman of the county’s Republican committee, said he thinks the turnout is the result of “serious problems” in the country that “need serious answers.”

“I thought we had a great turnout,” Rabon said. “We had more than we sold tickets for.”

Aside from plans to host Rick Santorum at the Horry County party’s convention April 11, Rabon said the party is also in talks with potential presidential hopefuls John Kasich and Scott Walker to visit the Strand.

“We don’t choose a candidate,” Rabon said. “What we do is try to bring them all in and let the people listen to them and let them choose.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2015 at 11:57 AM with the headline "Bush speaks to Grand Strand Republicans while exploring presidential bid."