Dems fundraise off Bush announcement

The Democratic National Committee is fundraising off former Gov. Jeb Bush’s (R-Fla.) announcement that he will “actively explore” a White House run, by trying to tie him to the policies of his brother, former President George W. Bush.

{mosads}”Jeb Bush is starting to run for president,” the DNC said in an email to supporters hours after his announcement. “Think about how President Bush worked out last time.”

The email included a photo of his brother, with links encouraging supporters to chip in between $3 and $100 to “help Democrats beat” Jeb Bush.

Bush announced early Tuesday that he will form a leadership PAC next month to “help me facilitate conversations with citizens across America to discuss the most critical challenges facing our exceptional nation.”

Bush, who posted his announcement on Facebook, wrote about his “thoughtful consideration of the kind of strong leadership I think America needs” and his desire for “a conversation about restoring the promise of America.”

Democrats quickly seized on the announcement, arguing that the former Florida governor will champion the economic policies of his father and brother, both former presidents.

In a tweet, they charged that the other Bushes “wrecked the economy” while in office.

“Jeb Bush has fully embraced the failed economic agenda that benefits only a select few at the expense of the middle class,” DNC communications director Mo Elleithee said in a statement.

The approach could preview potential Democratic attacks against Bush, which come as President Obama is touting an economic rebound following the financial crisis.

“His leadership in FL was bad enough,” DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said of the former governor Tuesday afternoon on Twitter, linking to a graphic from her state’s Democratic Party highlighting Bush’s “presidential resume.” The graphic accused Bush of wanting to “privatize education,” use a “voucher program” for Medicare, and claims he “opposes marriage equality” and “expanded access to health care.”

An ABC/Washington Post poll released Tuesday afternoon found Bush holding a tight lead among GOP primary voters, followed closely in ranking by others such as Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), Ted Cruz (Texas) and neurosurgeon-turned conservative pundit Dr. Ben Carson.

Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said “he has not yet made a final decision on whether he will run,” opting for an announcement likely in the spring, when others have said they will announce their decisions.