Jeb Bush's 90-year-old mother Barbara was there to see him announce he is running for president. So was his oldest son George P Bush, a rising politician in his own right.

But there was no sign of George W Bush, Jeb's older brother and the man who is casting a long political shadow over the 2016 race.

The former president stayed away from the Bush campaign launch in Miami and Jeb made only a passing reference to him in his announcement speech.

Sounds like the Jebster is caught between a rock and a hard place.  We've all been there, but we were not  running for president.

It was unclear if he was not invited or chose not to attend.

Either way his absence is a reminder of the difficult balancing act ahead of Jeb Bush, who is fiercely loyal to his brother but knows he must distance himself from George W's unpopular presidency.

Last edited by Just Fred (6/15/2015 6:29 pm)