Jeb Bush espouses leadership, gubernatorial experience at Myrtle Beach town hall

There’s just a few days before the S.C. Republican primary, and almost every candidate is working the southern crowds to win over any undecided voters.

Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, made his Grand Strand stop Wednesday evening to a noisy crowd of more than 300.

Bush spoke for more than an hour at Springmaid Resort in Myrtle Beach, taking about eight questions ranging from the national debt to gun control. He kicked off his 20-minute speech by exemplifying his experience as governor of Florida and history of supporting the military. He was announced by S.C. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who officially announced his support for Bush in January.

Bush’s lifelong connection to the presidential seat and ability to lead the nation “from Day 1” are the top reasons for Graham’s support, he said.

“He understands the job – his dad has had it, his brother has had it, he’s been in it all his life,” Graham said. “And most of all, he’s not crazy.”

Bush spent more than five minutes on every answer and ignored his aide’s attempt to end questions at 8 p.m. Rebecca Fegley, a snowbird in town from Pennsylvania, said she’s sure of her vote this year.

“To me, the whole Bush family is a good, good family,” Fegley said. “I like the father, the mother, the brother, everyone.”

She’s most interested in Jeb Bush’s policies and personal attitude, though she’s never met a candidate in person. Fegley was excited to see the person she’s voting for in real life and hear what he had to say to a southern crowd.

“We didn’t even think we’d get in to see him,” she said. “The doors opened at 5:30 p.m. and we got here at 5 p.m.”

Bush stands in fourth place in the polls with several recent surveys putting him behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich in fifth. He’s spent the past few days in South Carolina before the Republican primary on Saturday.

Fegley doesn’t believe the polls are accurate.

“I think we’re all going to be surprised,” she said.

A chunk of Bush’s stump was focused on respecting the Bill of Rights as written – including the 2nd Amendment – as well as the importance of adhering to the Constitution. Bush called the Bill of Rights a “package deal,” saying he’d support every amendment as the law allows.

“The 2nd amendment is as important as any of the other amendments,” he said in response to an audience member’s question.

Bush also touched on revamping health, vowing to repeal the policies that “do not help people.” His plan involves only mandating a low-premium, high-deductible catastrophic plan so a major health event doesn’t wipe away the savings of people without traditional insurance. His system would reward people with more healthy lifestyles, which would have two benefits: “It would cost a lot less, and it would have the final benefit of taking power away from Washington D.C.,” he said.

Ron Smith, who was staying at Springmaid Resort, said he jumped at the chance to see a presidential candidate in person. He was curious how Bush would interact with the public and thought it would be beneficial to hear a possible future Commander in Chief explain his ideas in person.

“I haven’t picked a candidate yet, but it helped to see him in person,” Smith said.

Meeting someone related to two former presidents was another reason Smith took time out of his vacation for politics.

“He’s kind of an important person, you know,” Smith said.

Bush closed his stump by stressing his foreign policy expertise, military leadership and experience as the former governor of a large state. With each point he gave multiple examples of his experience and results from his leadership as governor, and assured the crowd he’s “walked the walk.”

“The status quo needs to be disrupted across the board,” Bush said. “So the question is, do you want someone who’s already done it, or someone who just talks a big game?”

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 9:10 PM with the headline "Jeb Bush espouses leadership, gubernatorial experience at Myrtle Beach town hall."