Jeb Bush Says He'll Make Decision on Presidential Bid by End of Year: 'It's Pretty Crazy Right Now

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeb Bush said all the speculation about whether he'll run for president in 2016 is actually getting him more attention than if he had already entered the race.

The former Republican governor of Florida says that's not by design, and that he'll make his decision before year's end.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (Image source: AP/Wilfredo Lee)

His description to Fox News of the state of politics: "It's pretty crazy right now."

Bush says one factor in his decision will be whether he can deliver an optimistic message without getting drawn into a political "mud fight."

"In my case, that means, 'can one do it joyfully?'" he said.

Bush has antagonized many Republicans by supporting an immigration overhaul and educational standards for kindergarten through 12th grade known as Common Core.

He says the other main factor in his decision to run will be whether it's OK with his family.

TheBlaze reported a week ago that many of the Republican party’s biggest movers and shakers and deep-pocketed insiders have been quietly courting Bush to enter the 2016 presidential race.