Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush on Monday ignited speculation he would select a female running mate should he capture the GOP nomination.

Speaking before a crowd in Waterloo, Iowa, the former Florida governor made a conspicuous comment.

“Should I be elected president, I would have my vice president — I think she will be a great partner,” he said.

Jeb going for a news cycle by hinting he'd have a female running mate https://t.co/qj4aXD9S65

— Justin Green (@JGreenDC) December 1, 2015

Bush, seemingly in an attempt to walk back his comment, then asked, "I mean, did I just say that out loud?"

"We always talk about this with one gender in mind," he explained. "I think we’ve reached the point in our country where maybe we should be a little less gender-specific about this."

Bush, seen as the Republican frontrunner early on, has struggled to gain traction in a crowded GOP field that has been dominated for months by businessman Donald Trump.

(H/T: The Hill)

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