Bush Met by Protesters at NH Visit

A day after he officially announced his campaign for the Republican first-in-the-nation New Hampshire Primary, former Gov. Jeb Bush, R-FL, was met with bipartisan protests, of sorts, outside of a town meeting in Derry on June 16, 2015.

Both liberty-minded Republicans and independents, including members of the New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition, as well as members of the “no labels” group and climate change activists stood outside of the Adams Memorial Opera House with signs that criticized the candidate’s support on a variety of issues from Common Core to NSA spying to lack of an environmental plan.

One sign featured his father and brother, both former presidents, with the words, “No Banker Left Behind.” Others criticized Hillary Clinton, too, suggesting there wasn’t much difference between Jeb or Hillary. 

Democrats and liberal interest groups also pounced on the visit in press releases, claiming Bush was changing his mind nearly everyday on the important issues facing voters.

“Over the past month we’ve seen him try to figure out what his position is on Iraq, changing his mind seemingly every day,” said Ray Buckley, chairman of the NHDP. “We’ve seen him defend his book that supports shaming single mothers. We’ve seen him try out the same failed policies of the past, and it’s clear that’s where Jeb Bush is stuck … Jeb Bush isn’t interested in leveling the playing field for Granite Staters. He’s out to do what he’s done his whole career: put himself and people like him over every day Granite Staters.”

Activists from NextGenClimate, a group founded by Democratic activist investor Tom Steyer, also called on Bush to present a concrete plan to address carbon pollution and job creation.

“New Hampshire voters want Bush to put forward real solutions to combat climate change and build a brighter, more prosperous future for our kids,” said NextGen Climate New Hampshire Press Secretary Wyatt Ronan, noting that Bush first seemed to favor action on climate change but in recent months had altered his view on the issue.

Photos by Kathy Peterson and Ian Marshall.