Jeb Bush says GOP primary boxed in Romney on immigration

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Jeb Bush said on Monday that Mitt Romney's rhetoric on immigration during the GOP presidential primaries has put him "in somewhat of a box" for the general election. The former Florida governor criticized the tone of the Republican debate over illegal immigration. "I do feel a little out of step with my party on this," said Bush, who supports immigration reform. He made his remarks at a breakfast hosted by Bloomberg, according to Ben Smith at Buzzfeed.

Bush told reporters at the breakfast that even Ronald Reagan would have a tough time winning the Republican presidential nomination in today's partisan climate, in which working with members of the other party is seen as a weakness. He called the current partisanship "disturbing," and blamed Obama for increasing the divide between Democrats and Republicans. Bush is often mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick for Romney, but has said that he would decline if asked.