Senator John McCain (R., Ariz.) touted former governor Jeb Bush (R., Fla.) as a potential contender in the 2016 presidential elections while discussing the merits of nominating a governor as opposed to a senator.
“I think that governors who are successful obviously have a cachet that is probably helpful to them, particularly, since the Congress is held in low esteem,” McCain tells National Review Online. “I think there will be some who are very competitive, including Jeb Bush if he decides to run.”
McCain says he hadn’t decided to back Bush. “I keep hearing that he may be considering a runs and he was a successful governor of the state of Florida,” he says. “I like him. I haven’t decided obviously, but I think he would be viable.”
Asked if he thought that Republicans might hesitate to nominate a freshman senator in light Obama’s performance, McCain says no.
“I don’t think that that’s particularly relevant to be honest with you,” he says.
Former governor Mike Huckabee (R., Ark.), who is mulling a presidential run, told reporters Monday that the Republican party needs to avoid nominating a senator.
“If not me, I would be supportive of someone who has had executive experience and who has been a governor prior to somebody having only had legislative experience, which I think is fundamentally different in the manner in which one serves,” Huckabee said.
Governor Bobby Jindal (R., La.) followed the same logic while comparing Bill Clinton to President Obama.
“I do think Bill Clinton, having served as a governor, I think that was better preparation for being president [than] simply being a senator, as we’ve seen with President Obama,” Jindal told reporters at the Christian Science Monitor breakfast in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas), another likely candidate, brushed off that suggestion.
“I’m not sure it’s news that governors tend to prefer governors,” Cruz told NRO Wednesday.