Jeb Bush will formally launch his 2016 White House bid on Monday searching for momentum to break out of a crowded field for the Republican presidential nomination, but expecting a long battle ahead.
The 62-year-old former Florida governor will make his announcement in an 8pm (Irish time) speech at Miami-Dade College, a school whose multicultural student population was chosen to emphasis Bush's commitment to trying to expand the appeal of the white-dominated Republican Party.
In his speech and in subsequent campaign stops in New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina this week, Mr Bush will say he would make it a top priority to generate higher growth in the US economy and create as many as 19 million jobs, according to a memo prepared by the Mr Bush team for his supporters to use as talking points.
He will also stress the need for “a stronger American place in the world,” according to the memo, seen by Reuters.
“Our enemies no longer fear us, and our friends no longer trust us. It’s time we re-engage and stand with our allies,” the memo said.
Mr Bush’s path to the nomination will be difficult. He is joining a Republican field where there are already 10 candidates who have declared their intention to run, and faces some solid competitors in Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and others.
He held an early lead in polls of Republican voters when he first began talking about a White House run six months ago, but that has now dissipated. He is essentially tied for the lead with a host of challengers. Not helping was a fumbled response to a question about the Iraq war last month.
Bush advisers say he is prepared for a long, contentious battle for the nomination. A victory is by no means certain in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina, the first three states to stage party nominating contests on the road to the November 2016 election.
He will need to win over those Republicans who have doubts about electing a third president named Bush after his father, George H W Bush, and older brother, George W Bush.
Already he is working on differentiating himself. His political team released a new logo for his campaign, “Jeb!” and a video that stresses his record in Florida.
"Jeb is different than George," Bush said on CNN's State of the Union show on Sunday. "I don't have to disassociate myself from my family, I love them, but I know that for me to be successful I'm going to have to show my heart and tell my story."
The two previous Bush presidents will not be at the Monday event.
Reuters