Jeb Bush's supporters have been pushing the 61-year-old to run for president in the 2016 elections. While the former Florida governor briefly considered and subsequently decided against a 2008 and 2012 bid, sources close to Bush say it is likely he will run this time around.

Bush has been persistently present in the political arena in recent months.

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He has been seen at fundraisers in support of GOP candidates in the upcoming midterm elections and has been heard talking to friends about the possibility of a White House bid.

The former governor has also become increasingly vocal about critiquing the state of the country under President Barack Obama.

On Monday, Bush told reporters at a fundraising event for Republican Sen. Pat Roberts that the current state of America is at its worst.

In the following weeks, he is expected to attend another fundraiser for South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Bush has yet to confirm his 2016 bid since his focus is to help usher in GOP candidates for the House and Senate this November but Bush's spokesperson Kristy Campbell said he intends to make a decision by the end of this year.

A major qualification for a 2016 candidate is competence and I think Bush has that going for him, said House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

But if Bush decides to make a 2016 bid, he has several hurdles to overcome, first of which is to prove himself conservative enough to gain a GOP nomination.

Bush's eight-year political experience in Florida, which is perhaps the most influential state in presidential politics, gives him an edge since it's a populous swing state.

Accordingly, he may also capture a large portion of the Hispanic vote since he led a state with a relatively high Hispanic demographic. His wife, Columba, is a Mexican-American and he speaks fluent Spanish.

On the other hand, the former Florida governor's stance on immigration reform could alienate Republican voters. Earlier this year, Bush had referred to illegal migration as "an act of love... not a felony."

His wife's tendency to avoid the spotlight could also be problematic if she were to become the first lady. The opposition could also exploit his daughter Noelle's jail stints over a decade ago.

 Coincidentally, Bush's protégé Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is also reportedly considering running in 2016. Observers say it may be unlikely Bush would run against Rubio.

TagsJeb Bush, Politics of the United States, Bush Family