JEB! Bush on Mackinac Island: ‘Yes, I am a Bush’

JEB! 2016...Carrying on a Bush family tradition!

(fox17online.com) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Friday embraced his last name more than he has at any point in his presidential campaign to date -- saying he is a Bush, and that's why he'd be a good leader on foreign policy....

The next president needs to foster better international relations and peace, he said.

"I know how to do this because, yes, I am a Bush," he said. "I happened to see two really good presidents develop relationships with other countries."

The line got big applause from the audience at the signature event of the Michigan Republican Party.

It's the most full-throated defense of his presidential last name that the former Florida governor has engaged in during his campaign -- where he has often sought to distinguish himself as his own man.

He has, at times, dealt with his family history awkwardly, most notably when he took days to answer whether he would have invaded Iraq if he was in his brother's place.

The comments followed on the heels of the GOP debate on Wednesday night, where Bush defended his brother, former President George W. Bush, against attacks from Donald Trump by saying he kept the nation "safe." Read more.