NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — When he speaks here Friday, Jeb Bush isn’t likely to win over many hearts and minds at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of activists and party leaders near Washington.
Establishment Republicans like the former governor of Florida rarely do so at an event dominated by a young, libertarian wing of the party. Bush’s task, on the other hand, is to pay his respects and avoid any costly errors, such as Mitt Romney’s “severely conservative” outing at the same conference in 2012. The format of the event — a 20-minute question-and-answer session with Fox News host Sean Hannity — plays to Bush’s strengths, but also carries risk, as it will likely cover hostile territory.
Bush’s attendance also gives conservatives an opportunity to shape the debate in their favor, as well as a chance to protest moderate elements of the party that failed to sweep a Republican into the White House in the last two presidential elections.
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Still, there was a sense that, if push comes to shove, and Bush is the only option on the table, some conservatives could hold their nose and vote the party line like they did for Romney in 2012.
“I would consider him. Quite frankly, I’ll vote for anybody than a Democrat,” said David Sandifer, a veteran from Maryland who supports Ben Carson. “It’s kind of like one of those lesser-of-two-evils things.”
