Bush seeks mass appeal with faith voters
WASHINGTON -- Amid a weekend gathering of social conservatives, Heather Pepe has a somewhat unique view of the Republican presidential race.
"I like Jeb Bush," Pepe says.
She adds: "How many people gave you that answer?"
Not a lot at this event.
There isn't a straw poll at the forum sponsored by the Faith & Freedom Coalition and Concerned Women for America. But it is readily apparent that other GOP candidates -- including Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Scott Walker -- enjoy greater standing among the group of Republican voters of faith.
Some delegates raise the "dynastic" question, wondering whether a third Bush could or should win the presidency within 30 years. Others cite specific issues, particularly Bush's support for new immigration policies and Common Core education standards.
"Jeb Bush is pro-immigration and pro-Common Core," says Kathy Statham, a past president of the organization Conservative Republican Women of North Atlanta. "And he will not get my support. And he will not get the nomination."
Other social conservatives would not go that far, but say opposition by religious conservatives would be a problem for Bush, given their high rate of participation in Republican primaries and caucuses -- one reason he addressed the Faith and Freedom forum on Friday.
A convert to Catholicism, Bush said religion is "an organizing part of my architecture ... as a person and certainly as an elected official." The former governor of Florida said he promoted a "culture of life" during his two terms in the statehouse.
A variety of conservatives, religious and otherwise, have challenged Bush's commitment to their causes. In a recent interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Bush also cited his record as governor.
"My mission now is to tell my story, to show my leadership skills, because I was a reform-minded conservative," Bush said. "I did cut taxes every year. I balanced budgets every year."
Early polls show a bunched-up Republican race with no clear front-runner, but in many ways the contest revolves around the brother of President George W. Bush and the son of President George H.W. Bush.
Jeb Bush almost certainly will have the most money and the biggest campaign operation. He is the primary target of most of the other Republican candidates.
Pepe, a professional fundraiser from Washington, D.C., calls the Bush the best and most electable Republican candidate, and says he must keep making his case to people of faith, particularly leaders who have credibility with like-minded conservatives.
"He needs people who have street cred to give him street cred," she says.