(CNN) – A day after former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said his father, George H.W. Bush, wouldn't find a place in today's Republican Party, the former president pushed back at the idea.
"I know what he's getting at, but I don't think it would be difficult," Bush said, while answering a reporter's question on Tuesday in Kennebunkport, Maine.
– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
– Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November.
While he suggested he had more to say, he was ushered away in his wheelchair by escorts.
His comments came while attending an event for a new HBO documentary about the 41st president, which also marks his 88th birthday.
On Monday, Jeb Bush told a group of editors that both Ronald Reagan and his father would have trouble fitting in with the GOP of 2012.
"Ronald Reagan would have, based on his record of finding accommodation, finding some degree of common ground, as would my dad – they would have a hard time if you define the Republican party – and I don't – as having an orthodoxy that doesn't allow for disagreement, doesn't allow for finding some common ground," Bush said, according to the website Buzzfeed.
Earlier Tuesday, the former governor clarified his remarks on Twitter.
"The point I was making yesterday is this: The political system today is hyperpartisan. Both sides are at fault," Bush wrote, adding in a separate Tweet: "Am reminded today why I rarely read headlines. #ContextIsImportant."
Also see:
Obama radio spot aims at black voters
Poll gives Obama edge in Pennsylvania
Obama campaign hits Romney's Massachusetts record in second TV ad
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
A great American and a great President. Ross Perot cost him a second term. Instead we got stuck with Slick Willy and Oval Office cigar fests.
Jeb is right,Reagan, Bush 41 ,Eisenhower even Nixon would be thrown out of the GOP. Republican party of 2012 is a joke.
Sick of the entire Bush family. It would be a blessing if they were all deported, starting with the old lady.
Jeb spoke the truth – today's Teapublicans wouldn't even let Ronald Reagan in the door today with his resume – union member/leader, raised taxes 7 out of 8 years in office, and friends with Democrat Tip O'Neill. George H.W. Bush would also be shown the door – diplomat, pro contraception/women's rights, raised taxes in a compromise with Congress, etc. The Teapublicans have boxed themselves into an extremist corner they can't escape from.
Anyone semi sane would have trouble fitting in the Fascist, Racist, Anti-American GOP that exists now.
The republican party still has plenty of room for warmongers, elitists, supporters of Big Business at the expense of the middle and lower classes and fear pushers. Reagan and Bush the Elder would still fit in just fine, in fact – they set the standard.
The Bushes shd just give Americans a break.They are the reason for our woes.That family is just war thirsty-war,war and war.We are sick and tired of them.
Yeah Bush 41 sure has his finger on the pulse of America. Let me go ask my 90 year old grandmother what she thinks about the internet now.
When I get old and want to speak my mind,who's going to wheel me away? To bad....age can bring wisdom you know!! Now we will never know....
There's a scheme brewing by the GOP to ease George W. Bush back into the political arena. First,we're innundated by media hype with Jeb Bush. Now we are innundated by soft, teary interviews of the elder Bush and granddaughter. They're all boring and we've heard it all before.
It's true. The senior Pres Bush won't make it in the Republican party today. Neither would Dole. Neither would Nixon.
Today's Republican party is the Muslim Brotherhood of Christianity.
Hard to understand why GOP'ers still worship Ronald Reagan. The guy was a hypocrit. Stated he was in unifrom 1941-1945- he wasn't. Raised taxes multiple times. He practiced so many anti-conservative deeds it was pathetic. Reagan acted like future historic records would never exist.
Seems like Jeb borrowed Myth Robme's Etch-A-Sketch....
If you doubt Jeb Bush's comment, just look at the less extreme or moderate Republicans and see how many of them suddenly find tea party people running against them in the primaries.
Who cares what any member of this family thinks?
Forgive Bush Senior, he forgot he was pushed out for his second term. With the GOP now extreme radical, if bush Senior runs today, he won't even get nominated. Jab is a realistic politician . Best have Obama takes his second term, and Jab runs in 2016. He will beat out romney(if he ever show up again in 2016) by a million miles, and blow Christie out to the space.
I was, and am, a big supporter of Bill Clinton's, but I gain more respect for HW Bush all the time. A very intelligent man and statesman. If he is still around in 4 years (he will be 92) let him run for a second term. As for his offspring, They do not display the same qualities.
Jeb is smarter than his father and brother. He might also have a slight bit of integrity, maybe.
►All in the family: Bush 41 disagrees with Jeb◄
But 41 has Alzheimer – Does he really understand what Jeb said?
I truly believe what first comes out of a person's mouth
Is truth and then it's a LIE when they try to FLIP-FLOP........... ask Romney!!
Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!
I was originally a republican. Then, the republican party left me (something similar to what Mr. Reagan said, only in reverse) and I became a democrat; now I'm a republi-crat. Nice not being "died in the wool" isn't it?
The GOP is racing to see how fast it can zoom right off the right end of the political spectrum.
.
Jeb is absolutely right about the Republican Party. Its good that someone of his stature spoke out about how far right the Republican Party has moved over the past 20 years.
Now, we need someone of equal stature in the Democratic Party to speak out about its move to the far left within the past 20 years. Bill Clinton wouldn't be able to win the nomination of today's Democratic Party. He'd be considered too conservative.
The Bushes are irrelevant, the worst presidents of all time. Who cares what they say. Bush Jr. nearly ruined our country and now the Republicans want to take power again so they can finish the job.
Let me get this clear: old man Bush was RUSHED AWAY IN HIS WHEEL CHAIR while he still had something he wanted to say? Says alot about the bully tactics of the GOP.
Jeb is correct; G.H.W. Bush isn't. There is just no way that the idea of working across the isle would pass muster with the GOP now.