Bush book from 1995 becomes 2016 issue

A book on character co-written by Jeb Bush in 1995  had been all but forgotten -- until he decided to explore a White House bid in 2016.

Now Democrats are spotlighting passages of the book Profiles in Character in which Bush called for "the restoration of shame" to help combat out-of-wedlock births, youth crime and destructive behavior in general.

"It seems that any life decision that diverges from Jeb Bush’s carefully curated life is deserving of shame," says a Medium post by Lauren Dillon, research director for the Democratic National Committee. "Anyone who is struggling to make the best of a difficult situation should be ridiculed."

Asked about the book during this week's trip to Europe, Bush said many of his views have "evolved" since its publication in 1995, "but my views about the importance of dads being involved in the lives of children hasn’t changed at all."

Most of the criticism surrounds the comments about single motherhood and parenting.

The Bush book says that "one of the reasons more young women are giving birth out-of-wedlock" is that "there is no longer a stigma attached to this behavior."

Bush told reporters that his ire is not directed at women, but at men who abandon their  responsibilities as fathers.

The nation continues to move in "the wrong direction" on the out-of-wedlock birth rate, Bush said, and "it’s a huge challenge for single moms to raise children in the world that we’re in today ... It hurts the prospects, it limits the possibilities of young people being able to live lives of purpose and meaning."

Bush and aides said he tried to combat these challenges as governor of Florida by stepping up enforcement of child support payments and increasing punishments for domestic violence.

With the women's vote a crucial part of the 2016, look for Democrats and perhaps other critics to cite passages from Bush's 1995 book on character.

Wrote Dillon of the DNC: "So now that we’ve had a lesson in Jeb Bush’s “character,” let’s not forget how he really feels about you, your family, and your friends when he launches his campaign to be our next President."