GOP senator: Jeb ‘has had a rough few days’

A Republican senator on Friday said Jeb Bush “has had a rough few days” and indicated that Bush fatigue will be a significant obstacle for the former governor of Florida in the 2016 GOP presidential primary.

In an interview for C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” program, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said Bush fatigue is real.

{mosads}“Oh yeah, certainly,” Lee said in response to a question. “It’s a well-known fact that his last name might not be his greatest strength.”

The Tea Party Republican said the weariness of another Bush is not aimed at denigrating either George H. W. Bush or George W. Bush. “It’s a simple recognition of the fact that a lot of people get squeamish when they think of nominating a third Bush within just a few decades.”

Bush has attracted criticism from both parties this week for how he handled, and changed, his answers to the question: Knowing what you know now, would you have invaded Iraq?

Lee, who recently released a new book, Our Lost Constitution, pointed out he has three close friends in the Senate who are running for president: Ted Cruz (Texas), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.). He said he won’t endorse one over the other two.

Other topics Lee addressed in the interview:

George Stephanopoulos

The freshman senator has been critical of Stephanopoulos’s donations to the Clinton Foundation.

The ABC anchor has apologized for not being more transparent about the $75,000 in donations, but some Republicans — including Lee — think the former aide to President Clinton should recuse himself from 2016 political coverage.

That move “makes sense to me,” Lee said, adding it will be up to ABC News.

Lee said his staff has advised him not go on ABC until Stephanopoulos recuses himself.

In an interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on Thursday, Paul pointed out he has not appeared on ABC’s “This Week” — which is hosted by Stephanopoulos — for about a year. He made that decision because he might face Hillary Clinton in the general election.

Patriot Act

Lee wants his USA Freedom Act to pass the Senate soon.

The legislation, which would curb the government’s spying powers, easily passed the House, 338-88, this week. But it faces opposition in the Senate.

Lee said he is opposed to a short-term extension of the law, which has been introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and expressed doubt that that measure could pass Congress.

Lee said he doesn’t have the 60 votes necessary for his legislation to clear procedural hurdles at the moment. But he is optimistic it will win 60 votes if it is brought to the floor and senators are allowed to amend it.

Sentencing reform

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lee have introduced legislation that would reduce mandatory minimum drug sentences.

Lee noted that a majority of the Judiciary Committee is backing the bipartisan bill, but Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has some concerns about it. Lee is hopeful he can work with Grassley to pass the legislation in this Congress.

Primary worries?

Lee, who defeated Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) and another challenger in 2010, is well aware that he may face a primary challenge in 2016.

The 43-year-old senator added he “is preparing for it.”

C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” program will air Sunday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.