Phil Ammann
Jeb Bush is giving one of his first 2016-policy speeches not in Iowa, the first caucus state, or New Hampshire, the first primary state, but in Detroit, the nation’s chronically troubled city.
Selecting Detroit – a calculated choice – gives some insight into Bush’s campaign strategy, Dana Bash of CNN says.
In a speech at the Detroit Economic Club today, Bush intends to send a message to the nation, and voters, that his campaign (if he runs) will be different from the Republican norm.
According to staff members, the speech will lean heavily on the theme of “right to rise” that has infused his potential candidacy since December.
“There is income inequality in this country and with conservative ideas people can start to do better,” one person familiar with Bush’s speech told CNN. “There can be growth for everyone, not just those already doing great.”
The speech also echoes the “compassionate conservative” of Jeb’s brother, George W. Bush, when he first ran for the White House in 2000.
Wednesday’s stump speech will test the waters with the idea of “reform conservatism.” It will also introduce a foundation of his campaign if he enters the race: The GOP must make clear to voters exactly where they stand on the issues — what they are for and against.
As bold as the speech may be, there will be no concrete policy platform announced, aides say to CNN, but it will offer a “positive” and “hopeful” vision of America.
Detroit was the perfect place to begin the discussion, supporters say because even in the national economic boom, the city seems left behind.
Among the talking points will be the entrepreneurship now taking place in Detroit, and its struggle to turn around economically.
Detroit’s became a focal point in the 2008 presidential race, after Republican candidate Mitt Romney, in a New York Times op-ed, argued against bailing out the car companies. “You can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye” if they received a bailout, Romney warned.
Political pushback dogged Romney through the 2012 campaign, helping fuel the narrative that he is a cold-hearted businessman, which was a factor in his loss.
Bush’s Detroit speech is the first of many scheduled over the next several weeks to roll out his policy ideas to a wider audience.
