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| Jeb Bush to finally announce presidential campaign – live updates | Jeb Bush to finally announce presidential campaign – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.09pm ET21:09 | |
| “We will take command of our future once again in this country. We will lift our sights again, make opportunity common again, get events in the world moving our way again. | |
| “We will take Washington – the static capital of this dynamic country – out of the business of causing problems. We will get back on the side of free enterprise and free people. | |
| “I know we can fix this, because I’ve done it.” | |
| 4.08pm ET21:08 | |
| He says that country is on a “bad course”and asks what Americans, and he himself, will do about it: “I’m a candidate for president of the United States of America.” | |
| 4.07pm ET21:07 | |
| “You and I know that America deserves better. They’ve offered a progresive agenda that includes everything but progrses. They’re responsible for the slowest economy recovery ever, the biggest tax increases ever … an enormous buildup of the regulatory state,” and the “swift” drawdown of the military. | |
| “The presidency should not be passed on from one liberal to the next.” | |
| 4.06pm ET21:06 | |
| 'The campaign that begins today' | |
| “This is a place that welcomes everyone with their heart on the future,” Bush says of the Miami school. | |
| “For all of us it is just the place to be for the campaign that begins today.” A huge round of applause. | |
| “The stakes for America’s future are about as great as they come,” he says. “Already the choice is taking shape.” | |
| H says the Democrats are trying “to slog on under another name”. | |
| 4.03pm ET21:03 | |
| Bush bounds up on stage at long last, introduced by Holmes, who gives him a bear hug. | |
| Finally, @JebBush takes the stage pic.twitter.com/ynK1juwi8r | |
| 4.02pm ET21:02 | |
| No word whether senator Marco Rubio is tuning in… | |
| Jeb introducer: 'Jeb Bush is the Florida Republican who can win.' Unlike that other Florida Republican... | |
| 3.59pm ET20:59 | |
| State senator Don Gaetz is now on the stage. He says “the answer is Jeb Bush” and denounces president Barack Obama’s domestic and foreign policy at length. | |
| Obama’s “idea of a moral compass is a wet finger in the wind,” he says. | |
| “Jeb Bush is the new Florida, he is the new America, he is the new Republican party,” Gaetz says of the former governor whose family name is synonymous with 12 years of Republican presidency. | |
| “Before Jeb Bush Republicans won control, with Jeb Bush Republicans have never lost control,” Gaetz says. | |
| “He can fix it for America because he’s done it for Florida. More jobs, more jobs, less debt, the highest bond rating, the lowest unemployment rate, the lowest crime rate, the biggest tax cuts … That’s the Jeb Bush story, and that can be America’s story.” | |
| 3.55pm ET20:55 | |
| George P Bush, Texas land commissioner and Jeb Bush’s eldest son, has just taken the podium – he says he’s here “not just to support the kind of president that he will be, but because of the kind of man that he is.” | |
| “I can speak to the character, to the judgment, to the temperament of the man I am blessed to call dad.” | |
| The younger Bush talks about how his father converted to Catholicism – a line that gets applause from the crowd – and then about how his “dad knows who he is, he knows who he believes”. | |
| He then says his father entered public service out of selflessness – “that’s why he worked all those 16-hour days as governor” – and talks at length about his family life, including the advice his father gave him and his younger brother “Jebby”. | |
| 3.43pm ET20:43 | |
| Outside the college, Richard Luscombe (@richlusc) has met with a group of children who say they were deemed “a security threat” by the event’s staff, even though they had tickets and range in age from five to 15 years old. | |
| Seven children who travelled five hours from Tampa to be at the launch were removed by uniformed staff shortly before Bush took the stage, apparently because they were seen as “a security threat”. | |
| The group are American Dreamers – the children of undocumented parents who have no legal status in the US, and had tickets to the event and been through security checks to get in. | |
| “They said they thought we were going to stage some kind of protest, but we came to listen,” said Daniel Barajas, executive director of the Young American Dreamers group that brought the children, aged five to 15, and wearing their green Dreamers T-shirts, to the Miami rally. | |
| “Bush has said that he would revoke Obama’s executive orders, so if he’s removing the protections that the Dreamers have then we have the right to expect an alternative. We wanted to hear about that alternative but instead we’re sitting outside. It’s very upsetting.” | |
| American Dreamer children came to hear #Jeb talk about immigration but say they were thrown out as security threat pic.twitter.com/eOzaXHzk7X | |
| 3.39pm ET20:39 | |
| Although quite a few of the Bush clan are in attendance in Miami, notably absent in person, mention or video – at least so far – are two former presidents of the United States, George Herbert Walker and George Walker Bush. | |
| 4 generations of Bush women in the house. Barbara Bush, @ColumbaBush, Sandra Bush & little Georgia Helena Walker Bush pic.twitter.com/nxtMhHqAAQ | |
| 3.33pm ET20:33 | 3.33pm ET20:33 |
| RB Holmes Jr, a pastor at a Tallahassee church – who introduced Bush before a 1998 campaign announcement for governor of Florida – has just given a speech that brought the crowd to its feet with its exclamatory fervor. | RB Holmes Jr, a pastor at a Tallahassee church – who introduced Bush before a 1998 campaign announcement for governor of Florida – has just given a speech that brought the crowd to its feet with its exclamatory fervor. |
| “Experience does matter!” Holems shouts to the crowd. “Vision is necessary! And proven leadership is important, may God bless the United States and may God bless Jeb Bush and his family!” | “Experience does matter!” Holems shouts to the crowd. “Vision is necessary! And proven leadership is important, may God bless the United States and may God bless Jeb Bush and his family!” |
| Updated at 3.34pm ET | Updated at 3.34pm ET |
| 3.29pm ET20:29 | 3.29pm ET20:29 |
| Cuban American singers Willy and Lissette Chirino have now joined their three daughters on the stage – they just sang the national anthem. | Cuban American singers Willy and Lissette Chirino have now joined their three daughters on the stage – they just sang the national anthem. |
| So the campaign lines are drawn: @marcorubio with Fleetwood Mac, @HillaryClinton with the Beatles and @JebBush with the BeeGees? | So the campaign lines are drawn: @marcorubio with Fleetwood Mac, @HillaryClinton with the Beatles and @JebBush with the BeeGees? |
| Meanwhile the former governor has tweeted out that he’s chatting with GHW Bush backstage. | Meanwhile the former governor has tweeted out that he’s chatting with GHW Bush backstage. |
| Talking to Dad backstage. Head to http://t.co/Z3wh8EUriV to watch the speech, starting soon! pic.twitter.com/g6j0lOC7eE | Talking to Dad backstage. Head to http://t.co/Z3wh8EUriV to watch the speech, starting soon! pic.twitter.com/g6j0lOC7eE |
| 3.24pm ET20:24 | 3.24pm ET20:24 |
| The Bush campaign has launched its official Jebsite – so far a bilingual page that encourages visitors to donate and links to a video of the Miami event – but it also includes some curious scaffolding behind the scenes, the New York Times’ Jeremy Bowers has discovered. | The Bush campaign has launched its official Jebsite – so far a bilingual page that encourages visitors to donate and links to a video of the Miami event – but it also includes some curious scaffolding behind the scenes, the New York Times’ Jeremy Bowers has discovered. |
| The javascript of Jeb’s presidential announcement page includes a synopsis of “Die Hard.” unearthed by @jeremybowers pic.twitter.com/AoaVLbnNAh | The javascript of Jeb’s presidential announcement page includes a synopsis of “Die Hard.” unearthed by @jeremybowers pic.twitter.com/AoaVLbnNAh |
| 3.16pm ET20:16 | 3.16pm ET20:16 |
| As a trio of cantantes takes the stage to serenade Miami Dade College – if they can get good sound on the acoustic guitar – Democratic candidate for president Hillary Clinton is in New Hampshire answering questions from reporters. | As a trio of cantantes takes the stage to serenade Miami Dade College – if they can get good sound on the acoustic guitar – Democratic candidate for president Hillary Clinton is in New Hampshire answering questions from reporters. |
| She talks about her big pitch to help the middle class compared to her own vast personal wealth. | She talks about her big pitch to help the middle class compared to her own vast personal wealth. |
| Clinton says her wealth is "secondary in the minds of people," that they don't like when people get to top and pull the "ladder up" | Clinton says her wealth is "secondary in the minds of people," that they don't like when people get to top and pull the "ladder up" |
| She talks about the controversial trade proposals that are backed by the Obama administration but have been the target of a Democratic revolt in Congress in recent weeks. | She talks about the controversial trade proposals that are backed by the Obama administration but have been the target of a Democratic revolt in Congress in recent weeks. |
| Clinton hasn't taken a position on TPA to this point, and that continues. She says it should be used as leverage for better TPP. | Clinton hasn't taken a position on TPA to this point, and that continues. She says it should be used as leverage for better TPP. |
| She talks about the shadows cast by big names. | She talks about the shadows cast by big names. |
| .@hillaryclinton "I'm not running for President Obama's third term or my husband's third term. I'm running for my first term" | .@hillaryclinton "I'm not running for President Obama's third term or my husband's third term. I'm running for my first term" |
| .@JamesPindell asks Clinton if she has any advice for Jeb wrt family name: "That’s a very tempting question to answer, but I won’t." | .@JamesPindell asks Clinton if she has any advice for Jeb wrt family name: "That’s a very tempting question to answer, but I won’t." |
| And she talks about the press, with whom her campaign does not always get along. | And she talks about the press, with whom her campaign does not always get along. |
| "You are reporters. You care about the facts." -- Hillary. | "You are reporters. You care about the facts." -- Hillary. |
| 3.10pm ET20:10 | 3.10pm ET20:10 |
| Guardian DC bureau chief Dan Roberts sends a shot of Miami Dade as seen from the press – the warm-up acts are in action and talking up Bush’s “very special announcement”. | Guardian DC bureau chief Dan Roberts sends a shot of Miami Dade as seen from the press – the warm-up acts are in action and talking up Bush’s “very special announcement”. |
| 3.06pm ET20:06 | 3.06pm ET20:06 |
| The Bushes are entering the auditorium in Miami to no small welcome. Spanish-language music involving an accordion is playing. | The Bushes are entering the auditorium in Miami to no small welcome. Spanish-language music involving an accordion is playing. |
| This is Barbara Bush getting a standing ovation at Miami Dade College pic.twitter.com/WTa3ygLsBB | This is Barbara Bush getting a standing ovation at Miami Dade College pic.twitter.com/WTa3ygLsBB |
| Barbara Bush owning this crowd, on its feet for her. Just swept hands in motion to tell them to sit. | Barbara Bush owning this crowd, on its feet for her. Just swept hands in motion to tell them to sit. |
| 2.58pm ET19:58 | 2.58pm ET19:58 |
| Outside of Miami-Dade College, Richard Luscombe (@richlusc) has met with a Florida conservative who sees in opportunity in politics: “it’s business of course.” | Outside of Miami-Dade College, Richard Luscombe (@richlusc) has met with a Florida conservative who sees in opportunity in politics: “it’s business of course.” |
| Anna Jacobson’s real passion is breeding English sheepdogs and looking after her dogs at home in Sarasota, Florida. But as more candidates enter the race for the White House she is finding herself pulled in other directions. | Anna Jacobson’s real passion is breeding English sheepdogs and looking after her dogs at home in Sarasota, Florida. But as more candidates enter the race for the White House she is finding herself pulled in other directions. |
| This afternoon she is running her son Curt’s Jeb 2016 T-shirt stand at Miami-Dade College. Curt is in Iowa selling his wares with his eight-year-old son Henry, who is travelling to his 38th state in a little less than two years. | This afternoon she is running her son Curt’s Jeb 2016 T-shirt stand at Miami-Dade College. Curt is in Iowa selling his wares with his eight-year-old son Henry, who is travelling to his 38th state in a little less than two years. |
| The family business sells T-shirts, pin badges, banners and campaign stickers – all designed by Curt – on both sides of the political divide, but as a self-declared rightwing conservative Anna says she only shows up to help at the Republican rallies. | The family business sells T-shirts, pin badges, banners and campaign stickers – all designed by Curt – on both sides of the political divide, but as a self-declared rightwing conservative Anna says she only shows up to help at the Republican rallies. |
| “It’s a matter of principal,” she says. “It’s business of course. But when it’s a Democratic event I’ll be at home with dogs.” A steady trickle of customers stopped by at the stall on their way in, although more appeared to be looking than buying. “There’s a long time until the election,” she said. “It will be OK.” | “It’s a matter of principal,” she says. “It’s business of course. But when it’s a Democratic event I’ll be at home with dogs.” A steady trickle of customers stopped by at the stall on their way in, although more appeared to be looking than buying. “There’s a long time until the election,” she said. “It will be OK.” |
| 2.48pm ET19:48 | 2.48pm ET19:48 |
| The Bush campaign has released excerpts of his speech ahead of the mid-afternoon event, and if the snippets are any indication, the former governor will spend a fair amount of time talking about making America’s future look more like its past. | The Bush campaign has released excerpts of his speech ahead of the mid-afternoon event, and if the snippets are any indication, the former governor will spend a fair amount of time talking about making America’s future look more like its past. |
| We will take command of our future once again in this country. We will lift our sights again, make opportunity common again, get events in the world moving our way again. | We will take command of our future once again in this country. We will lift our sights again, make opportunity common again, get events in the world moving our way again. |
| We will take Washington – the static capital of this dynamic country – out of the business of causing problems. We will get back on the side of free enterprise and free people. I know we can fix this, because I’ve done it.” | We will take Washington – the static capital of this dynamic country – out of the business of causing problems. We will get back on the side of free enterprise and free people. I know we can fix this, because I’ve done it.” |
| Bush will also indulge what many call his “wonky” side, and talk about credit ratings, budgets and jobs in the context of boosting his record as governor. | Bush will also indulge what many call his “wonky” side, and talk about credit ratings, budgets and jobs in the context of boosting his record as governor. |
| We made Florida number one in job creation and number one in small business creation: 1.3 million new jobs, 4.4% growth, higher family income, eight balanced budgets, and tax cuts eight years in a row that saved our people and businesses $19bn. | We made Florida number one in job creation and number one in small business creation: 1.3 million new jobs, 4.4% growth, higher family income, eight balanced budgets, and tax cuts eight years in a row that saved our people and businesses $19bn. |
| “All this plus a bond upgrade to triple-A compared to the sorry downgrade of America’s credit in these years. That was the commitment, and that is the record that turned this state around. | “All this plus a bond upgrade to triple-A compared to the sorry downgrade of America’s credit in these years. That was the commitment, and that is the record that turned this state around. |
| “I also used my veto power to protect our taxpayers from needless spending.” | “I also used my veto power to protect our taxpayers from needless spending.” |
| And finally, apparently eager to allay doubts to the contrary, he’ll assure the American people that he’s running for president to win. | And finally, apparently eager to allay doubts to the contrary, he’ll assure the American people that he’s running for president to win. |
| In any language, my message will be an optimistic one because I am certain that we can make the decades just ahead in America the greatest time ever to be alive in this world. That chance, that hope, requires the best that is in us, and I will give it my all. | In any language, my message will be an optimistic one because I am certain that we can make the decades just ahead in America the greatest time ever to be alive in this world. That chance, that hope, requires the best that is in us, and I will give it my all. |
| “I will campaign as I would serve, going everywhere, speaking to everyone, keeping my word, facing the issues without flinching, and staying true to what I believe. | “I will campaign as I would serve, going everywhere, speaking to everyone, keeping my word, facing the issues without flinching, and staying true to what I believe. |
| “I will take nothing and no one for granted. I will run with heart. I will run to win.” | “I will take nothing and no one for granted. I will run with heart. I will run to win.” |
| 2.33pm ET19:33 | 2.33pm ET19:33 |
| Richard Luscombe (@richlusc) is in Miami to report for the Guardian on Jeb’s campaign launch. | Richard Luscombe (@richlusc) is in Miami to report for the Guardian on Jeb’s campaign launch. |
| The former Florida governor (and once self-declared Hispanic) has struggled somewhat to define his identity to voters, a struggle that apparently extends to the catering. | The former Florida governor (and once self-declared Hispanic) has struggled somewhat to define his identity to voters, a struggle that apparently extends to the catering. |
| Where are the empanadas? Hispanic #Jeb launches in Miami and the onsite catering is Italian?! pic.twitter.com/6tNxGyXpz2 | Where are the empanadas? Hispanic #Jeb launches in Miami and the onsite catering is Italian?! pic.twitter.com/6tNxGyXpz2 |
| The Guardian’s DC bureau chief, Dan Roberts (@robertsdan), has also just arrived, and found the media hordes already waiting for Jeb. | The Guardian’s DC bureau chief, Dan Roberts (@robertsdan), has also just arrived, and found the media hordes already waiting for Jeb. |
| 2.18pm ET19:18 | 2.18pm ET19:18 |
| Hello and welcome to our coverage of 2016 presidential campaigns and the launch of John Ellis Bush’s bid, or as it has dubbed itself, Jeb! | Hello and welcome to our coverage of 2016 presidential campaigns and the launch of John Ellis Bush’s bid, or as it has dubbed itself, Jeb! |
| The son of George HW Bush and younger brother of George W Bush, the former governor of Florida enters the race as the scion of a powerful Republican dynasty – and as a candidate threatened by his family name. | The son of George HW Bush and younger brother of George W Bush, the former governor of Florida enters the race as the scion of a powerful Republican dynasty – and as a candidate threatened by his family name. |
| His unofficial campaign has for months racked up millions of dollars but now faces more difficult questions than whether it can collect cash from donors. Do Americans want another Bush? Another Republican who pitches moderate, then conservative, then back? A man who goes by Jeb Bush – a moniker that itself translates to a redundancy? | His unofficial campaign has for months racked up millions of dollars but now faces more difficult questions than whether it can collect cash from donors. Do Americans want another Bush? Another Republican who pitches moderate, then conservative, then back? A man who goes by Jeb Bush – a moniker that itself translates to a redundancy? |
| Bush is ready to find out, but also faces a cast of rogues contending for the Republican nomination: a privacy-loving ophthalmologist, a Canadian-born Texan who tried to shut down the government, a former CEO, a former neurosurgeon, and Bush’s own former Florida ward. Wisconsin governor Scott Walker also appears ready to join the race, and like Bush will compete for comparatively moderate Republican voters while also having to prove his conservative bona fides to the base. | Bush is ready to find out, but also faces a cast of rogues contending for the Republican nomination: a privacy-loving ophthalmologist, a Canadian-born Texan who tried to shut down the government, a former CEO, a former neurosurgeon, and Bush’s own former Florida ward. Wisconsin governor Scott Walker also appears ready to join the race, and like Bush will compete for comparatively moderate Republican voters while also having to prove his conservative bona fides to the base. |
| We’ll report live on the launch event, scheduled to begin at 3pm ET from Miami, as well as on the other political to-dos of the day, including the early days of Hillary Clinton’s newly relaunched 2016 campaign. | We’ll report live on the launch event, scheduled to begin at 3pm ET from Miami, as well as on the other political to-dos of the day, including the early days of Hillary Clinton’s newly relaunched 2016 campaign. |