Jeb Bush comes from a family of presidents.
And while he has not made an official announcement on his political future, when asked about it, Bush told a crowd of hundreds at the Kenan-Flagler Business School Monday that his mother has already told him publicly that he shouldn’t run for president in 2016.
Bush, former governor of Florida, son of former president George H.W. Bush and brother of former president George W. Bush, spoke about “America’s Promise in Uncertain Times” for the annual Weatherspoon Lecture.
“I was told I could talk for 40 minutes about things I’m passionate about,” Bush said.
The lecture, which was free for attendees, cost $50,000 but was funded by Van and Kay Weatherspoon, alumni of the business school.
Much of Bush’s talk consisted of proposing reforms to governmental systems. Topics included the need for immigration reform, fixes for K-12 education, and why leadership matters in today’s political climate.
Bush said immigration reform is necessary because the country needs more immigrants who are more economically driven. He said he wants to encourage immigrants with higher degrees to come to the United States.
“A modernized immigration system would be a catalytic converter for economic growth,” Bush said.
In terms of education reform, Bush said the country as a whole does not focus enough on academics.