Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Tuesday inched closer to a 2016 presidential run, announcing that he is launching a new leadership political action committee named “Right to Rise.”
The Republican posted video messages in both English and Spanish on Facebook to make the latest development public. “Hey everybody, today we’re setting up the Right to Rise PAC, which is a PAC to support candidates that believe in conservative principles to allow all Americans to rise up.” While walking down the street, he adds, “If you’re interested, go to righttorisepac.org.”
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Last month, Bush—whose father and brother were both president—announced that he will “actively explore the possibility” of running for the nation’s highest office. And seemingly in further preparation of a 2016 bid, Bush resigned from all of his board memberships and announced he was ending an advisory role with banking company Barclays.
The latest move to form a leadership PAC will give the former governor a fundraising vehicle and allow Bush to set up donors lists, hire staff, travel around the country and raise his profile. Bush has seemingly borrowed the name "Right to Rise" from Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who could also be a 2016 contender. Ryan has used the phrase in the past, something Bush noted in a piece he wrote for the Wall Street Journal in 2011.
"Congressman Paul Ryan coined a smart phrase to describe the core concept of economic freedom: 'The right to rise,'" wrote Bush.
The PAC’s website asks supporters to donate and outlines its mission. “We believe passionately that Right to Rise –to move up the income ladder based on merit, hard work and earned success—is the central moral promise of American economic life,” the site reads. “We are optimists who believe America’s opportunities have never been greater than they are now. But we know America is falling short of its promise.”
RELATED: Jeb Bush declines invite to Rep. Steve King's Iowa summit
Bush is scheduled to headline a fundraiser Wednesday in Greenwich, Connecticut.
According to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polling data surrounding the still nascent 2016 presidential nomination, Bush holds a slight lead over potential GOP contenders with 17%. Close behind are New Jersey Gov. Chris Chrsitie with 11.2%, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin with 10%, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky with 8.6%. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are all tied with 8% each.