Boehner says he’s nudged Jeb Bush on presidency

2016 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

House Speaker John Boehner said Monday that he’s “nudged” former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2016.

With various potential GOP candidates jockeying two years out, the top Republican in Congress delivered the strongest hints about his preference for the White House while cautioning that the talk was a bit premature.

“Jeb Bush is my friend. I think he’d make a great president. I’ve nudged him for some time,” Boehner said in a conversation-style event sponsored by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky have been mentioned as possible presidential candidates along with a number of GOP governors.

Boehner, of Ohio, said he expects to keep his leadership position in 2015 but stopped short of committing to serving out a full 13th term in Congress.

“I have a very good relationship with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle,” Boehner said. “Even in my party, even with some people with whom we have disagreement almost every day, I have a good relationship with them as well.

But given a chance to end speculation that he may not complete another full twoyear term, Boehner said he couldn’t predict what might happen.

“I’m going to be 65 years old in November. I never thought I’d live to be 60. So I’m living on borrowed time,” he said.

Boehner has provoked discontent among some conservatives over his actions during last year’s government shutdown, his backing for raising the nation’s borrowing authority and his support for moving ahead on immigration overhaul. He drew a primary challenge in his district against two tea party candidates but easily beat both last week and now faces a token Democratic foe in November.