George W. Reflects On White House Decisions, Life After The Presidency

[SlimJimmy]

I've excerpted out the part where he thinks the immigration bill is a trap for Republicans. The interview is far ranging, but I thought his opinion on immigration reform was interesting.

Personally, I'd love to see comprehensive immigration reform. It is long overdue. Now that it passed in the Senate, I'm curious to see how it fairs in the House.

Despite his desire not to criticize the GOP, Bush did have a warning about the party's mad dash for immigration reform.

"I think the atmosphere, unlike when I tried it, is better, maybe for the wrong reason," Bush said. "The right reason is it's important to reform a broken system. I'm not sure a right reason is that in so doing we win votes. I mean when you do the right thing, I think you win votes, as opposed to doing something that's the right thing to win votes. Maybe there's no difference there. It seems like there is to me though."

I asked Bush what he thought of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has put his reputation on the line with the immigration bill and is seen as a likely frontrunner if he seeks the GOP nomination for president in 2016. Bush, who has said he wants his brother Jeb, the former Florida governor, to run, didn't have a lot to say about Rubio.

"Rubio's articulate. I met him once, maybe twice. My brother likes him, so I like him," Bush said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/30/george-w-bush-bike_n_3359824.html?1369945281

[UTUSN]

1. I say to him what he said to a minority member, "Who cares what you think!1" n/t

[Buns_of_Fire]

2. Actually, there might be a shred of genuine self-appraisal there...

"I mean when you do the right thing, I think you win votes, as opposed to doing something that's the right thing to win votes. Maybe there's no difference there. It seems like there is to me though."