Jeb Bush Slow-Jams Campaign Pitches, Channels Pitbull on “Tonight”

A day after announcing his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, Jeb Bush visited "The Tonight Show" to slow-jam a few of his key campaign points with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots.

“I thought long and hard about this decision, and after careful consideration, I determined that now was the right time to launch my campaign for the Republican nomination," the former Florida governor said over a 70s-style soul beat.

“Aaaah yeah, the governor thought long and hard," Fallon sang in response. "After months of being a total caucus tease, Jeb finally made up his mind and decided to quit beating around the bush.”

Bush also discussed his policy on immigration — first in English, then again in Spanish.

“Hold the telefono!" Fallon exclaimed, butchering the Spanish pronunciation. "I know you just got back from Miami, but I didn’t realize I was interviewing Governor Pitbull."

“Fireball,” Bush said in response to the brief shift in music as the Roots played a sample of the Miami rapper's latest hit. 

Bush tried to get more serious in his sit-down with Fallon, albeit with varying degrees of success.

“We’re on the verge of a really amazing time in history, but we just have to fix a few major problems that might otherwise prevent people from enjoying it,” he said. “I think we need high, sustained economic growth that will create jobs.”

Dressed in gray slacks, a blue patterned tie and a dark blue jacket — including an American flag pin — Bush talked about losing 30 pounds and his bilingual home life with his wife Columba.

“We speak Spanish most of the time at home, and all the time when she’s mad at me," Bush admitted. "That is, I listen in Spanish.”

Fallon also prodded Bush over his name, asking the former governor if Jeb is short for Jebediah.

“No, it’s a nickname," he revealed. "For John Ellis Bush.”

“Oh really?" Fallon said. "Did they ever call your brother 'Gwub?'”

Bush gracefully acknowledged the inevitable comparisons to his brother, George W., and his father George H.W., whom he called “the greatest man alive."

But he also noted one advantage he had over them.

“I’m a lot younger and a whole lot better-looking."

Fallon noted that "Tonight" had a lot of younger viewers, and wondered what type of message Bush would offer them.

"I think we need high, sustained economic growth so they can get jobs," he replied.

The host then asked what his message would be to the older voters.

"I think we need high, sustained economic growth," he said. "To them, I would just say it louder."

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