(CNN) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is considering a bid for the United Sates Senate, Republican strategist Alex Castellanos told CNN Tuesday.
Republicans are urging Bush, the president's younger brother, to strongly consider making a bid for the seat currently held by outgoing Republican Sen. Mel Martinez. The first term senator announced Tuesday he would not run for reelection, setting off what's sure to be one of the most hotly-contested Senate battles in 2010.
Bush, who served as Florida governor from 1999 until 2007 and enjoyed high approval ratings, will take the next month to consider getting into the race, Castellanos said on CNN's The Situation Room. Castellanos is a CNN contributor. Bush also told the Politico he is "considering" getting into the race.
Should Bush decide to run, his presence would add immediate star power to a race Democrats are likely to make their top target in 2010. But the former governor, who has largely remained out of the spotlight over the last two years, could be hindered by his close association with the unpopular outgoing president.
"Let me give him some free advice," Paul Begala, a CNN contributor, said. "Change your name. Run as John Ellis not John Ellis Bush. The Bush brand is probably what croaked Mel Martinez."
According to Florida exit polls on Election Day, just 9 percent of Floridians approve of President Bush’s job performance. But Jeb Bush left office in 2007 with approval ratings well over 60 percent, a sign he could be insulated in the state from his brother's unpopularity.
Since exiting the governor's office, Bush has served on the board of Tenet Healthcare Corporation. He also joined the now-defunct investment bank Lehman Brothers in 2007 as an adviser to its private equity business.
Bush endorsed McCain's presidential bid last February, though rarely campaigned on his behalf.
According to published reports, Democrats view Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, as the candidate best positioned to run for the seat. Before Martinez's announcement Sink suggested she was uninterested in the run, but it's likely she now may reconsider.
Democrats are also considering Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a high-profile supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton's bid, though Schultz's congressional spokesman said it is unlikely she will run. Other Democrats mentioned include Reps. Kendrick Meek and Allen Boyd.
On the Republican side, Reps. Vern Buchanan and Connie Mack are said to be interested, as well as several GOP state officials.
From CNN Politics
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No thanks. No more Bushs in the White House. Jeb can thank Pres. Albatross for ruining his political future too.
He is his OWN man!!! You idiots that cast a family name across someone should compare yourselves within your own family...you must certainly be just like your brother or sister...right?
i had to deal with this loser as Governor of Florida. He is horrible!
Now, why doesn't this surprise me....is this because the price of oil is declining? Or does he think he has a chance with the American People?
Somebody pinch me! I must be dreaming....
this country can not afford another Bush in politics anywhere.
I'd like to give Paul Begala some free advice...you should quit your day job and start working full-time as the new Mr. Potato Head.
This guy is just as bad as his brother. My brother was neglected in a nursing home in Fla., and thanks the Jeb, there's nothing we can do about it because he put laws in place to provide unbeatable protection to all nursing homes in Florida. They filled Jeb's pockets with large money bags, and now the new governer is trying to undo the mess caused by Jeb.
The Bush family... so bad for this world, they sold their soul to the devil.
OMG,PLEASE NOT ANOTHER BUSH..LOOK AT WHAT BOTH BUSH'S DID TO THIS COUNTRY.
You people are trashing Jeb Bush simply because of his last name. For all of you morons out there, this is called prejudice. If you want to trash a person based on their family name, then why not pick on President-Elect Obama. Why? Because his middle name is Hussein. His last name is Obama, which is close to Osama. You see how ridiculous this sounds. If the man has a 60% approval rating, he must be doing most things right. The democrats always accuse the right-wing of fear and hate-mongering. It seems the dems are just as guilty of this.
OH PLEEEEEEEEEEASE
Carol from Wisconsin – You say you want to converse like adults, then in your next sentence, you attack the left for "immature, rude and childish hate mongering." That behavior exists on both sides – you are a good example, and until it stops on both sides, we can't converse like adults.
no way...... because of jeb schools in florida do not teach they prep for the fcat
And the hits keep on coming. Why can't they just retire and count the billions they've made over the past century??? After Jeb takes his turn at bat, there is yet ANOTHER generation of Bushes who will eventually run for office.
America is not immune from hereditary, political dynastic rule (i.e. Tafts, Roosevelts, Kennedys, Cabot/Lodges, Clintons, Daleys etc.). In fact, we seem to embrace it too easily and too blindly.
Florida here – loud and clear. Jeb Bush was popular because too many Florida voters are ignorant, right-wingers. He was TERRIBLE for education and his Republican SoS ensured that brother George stole Florida and the Presidency in 2000. Don't let that that oft quoted approval rating fool you – he wasn't a historically great Governor.
I voted Bush in 1988, 1992, 2000 and 2004 and even I can't stomach the thought of another Bush in the White House.
It's time for some fresh faces and revitalized conservative ideals in the GOP. I've had enough of this "go along to get along" liberalized brand of Republicanism.
This is just great, he'll run for senate and try for the presidency in 2012. Are people this stupid to elect another Bush?
The Bush family have had 2 members in Washington and both screwed up. I don't think the American people can survive a 3rd. Let's end it NOW!!! This country doesn't need another Bush, now or ever. Let Jeb find some other way to make a living. There's always McDonald's or Wal-Mart!
Will the nightmare ever end. Please people of Florida don't let this guy anywhere near DC.
NOt another Bush , Look at just one did in only eight years , What next ??? Palin in 2012 ??? Come on The republicans need to stop picking the creme' dela creme of the Idiot tree....
Oh mamma mia,
another one???
please, let's stop him ...............
Floridians dont need such a curse, we are nice people
Stop saying it's a Florida "local-politics" thing. Jeb's been in our face for years, and since he went nutzo over the Terry Schiavo affair he's a national figure. Every American is allowed to think of him as a weasel, desperately craving power and influence, browbeaten by his weird old daddy until he'd do anything he was told. Despising rich kids is second nature to us Americans on account of our freedom and liberty, you know.
ARE WE ALL NUTTTTSSS NO WAY
Not Another Bush !!! I mean look at just one bush did to the country in 8 years ..... What next ??? Palin in 2012 ??? The republicans need to stop picking the Creme' dela Creme' of the Idiot tree ....
TO Leslie: You are a total idiot. To make matters worse you can't spell, and your grammer is even worse. YES you are obviously defined as an "Airhead Bama Booster". I'm suprised you are even able to read.
I wonder if goofy jeb or shall i say (JETHRO -CLAMPIT LOOK ALIKE) brother G.W. will do any campaining for him?:) Another problem he may have is when his daughters drug addict friends come out of the woodwork could be a huge prob for jethro