Photo courtesy of the Today show.
Former President George W. Bush spoke in an April 20 on the Today Show about immigration and the state of the Republican Party.
This comes as the Preston Hollow neighbor published his book of 43 portraits, “Out of Many, One,” which highlights immigrants to the U.S. And over the weekend, Bush wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post.
“Part of the purpose of the book is to elevate the discourse and remind our fellow citizens about the beauty of America that attracts people who are escaping tyranny or fleeing oppression or just want an opportunity to provide a better life,” Bush told host Hoda Kotb.
Talk of immigration has been common in the news cycle recently due to a surge in arrivals at the southern border, prompting Texas cities such as San Antonio and Dallas to house children in convention centers to help alleviate overcrowding at border facilities.
“It’s a beautiful country we have, and yet it’s not beautiful when we condemn, call people names and scare people about immigration. It’s an easy issue to frighten some of the electorate, and I’m trying to have a different kind of voice,” Bush says.
The former president also gave his opinion on the Republican Party.
“I would describe it as isolationist, protectionist and, to a certain extent, nativist,” he says.
However, Bush says he thinks a Republican who has more moderate views, who supports some gun control, funding for public education and “border enforcement with a compassionate touch,” has a chance in the 2024 presidential election.
An exhibit of Bush’s paintings is on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Center until Jan. 3, 2022.
