NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The Jeb Bush camp is keeping a stiff upper lip in the face of a planned walkout Friday on the former Florida governor by the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, meeting just outside Washington.
Many conservatives consider Bush far too centrist and, in particular, intensely dislike his support of amnesty for illegal immigrants and the Common Core school curriculum.
An aide to Bush told WND the governor is not worried and predicted he will win over the crowd, once they find out "how conservative he really is."
WND asked, in light of his contrary stances on significant issues, if Bush would tailor his speech to a conservative crowd.
"He will just be himself, as he always is," replied the aide, adding that should be enough to get a good reception from attendees.
The Washington Times reported Friday morning that attendees had formed a movement to stage an informal protest by walking out when Bush hits the stage at CPAC.
"We are going to get up en masse, and we are going to walk out on him," said William Temple, a member of the Golden Isle Tea Party. "We are not going to interrupt anyone’s speech, but we are all going to exercise our right to [use] the bathroom at the same time."
Bush has been under fire recently as comments critical of both the GOP and conservatives have resurfaced.
"All too often we’re associated with being 'anti' everything," Bush said at CPAC in 2013, the last time he addressed the conference of conservatives. "Way too many people believe Republicans are anti-immigrant, anti-woman, anti-science, anti-gay, anti-worker, and the list goes on."
Also in 2013, at a "Family Reunion" conference hosted by the Hispanic Leadership Network, Bush asserted "it's not possible in a free country to completely control the border without us losing our freedoms and liberties."
Conservatives were especially agitated to learn Bush had even proposed that the mayor of Detroit use immigration to "repopulate" the city.
Check out WND's extensive coverage of the 2015 Conservative Political Action Conference:
Jeb Bush replies to booing: 'I want to be your 2nd choice'
Trump at CPAC: 'Hillary was the 1st birther'
CPAC crowd chants: 'President Paul!'
John Bolton: Hillary 'unfit to command'
Rick Perry: America will survive Obama as it did Carter
Rubio: Hillary 'yesterday,' Obama 'failed'
Scott Walker 'wants to make America great again'
Sarah Palin: Obama's VA 'killing our veterans'
Jindal pounds Common Core in CPAC speech
Cruz: Hillary 'embodies the corruption of Washington'
'Next 20 months will be very dangerous'
Cruz strongly signals presidential bid
Christie: 'I gave up the New York Times for Lent'
Conservatives warned against unprincipled, unproven candidates
Fiorina argues for woman to take on Hillary