Jeb Bush: 'I Have Decided to Actively Explore the Possibility of Running for President

Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor whose father and brother have both occupied the White House, announced Tuesday he is considering running for president in 2016.

Bush said on his Facebook page that after talking it over with his family during Thanksgiving, he has decided to formally explore a run.

"As a result of these conversations and thoughtful consideration of the kind of strong leadership I think America needs, I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States," he wrote. "In January, I also plan to establish a Leadership PAC that will help me facilitate conversations with citizens across America to discuss the most critical challenges facing our exceptional nation."

Bush said the purpose of his political action committee would be to "support leaders, ideas and policies that will expand opportunity and prosperity for all Americans."

"In the coming months, I hope to visit with many of you and have a conversation about restoring the promise of America," he added.

Bush's decision will likely please some Republicans who are looking for some sort of established leader to win the White House from presumed Democratic frontrunner, former first lady, senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But it will also likely lead to grumbling among conservative Republicans who say Bush is too moderate. The former governor has been outspoken in his defense of the Common Core State Standards, a major conservative sticking point.

On Monday, the Christian Science Monitor reported that radio host Mark Levin called Bush a "very good moderate Democrat," and that former GOP presidential candidate Pat Buchanan said Bush is "too moderate for the Republican base."

Clinton has not officially announced that she is exploring a run or that she will run. Bush is the first GOP candidate to explore a run, and former Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) is the only Democrat to take the same step.