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Paul Egan, Detroit Free Press 10:33 p.m. EDT September 18, 2015

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush touted his record as governor of Florida in a Friday night speech to the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference and called for a smaller government, a simplified tax code and a return to civility in public life.

Bush, who was seen as the early favorite in the race for the GOP presidential nomination but has seen his poll numbers stuck in the single digits, told Michigan Republicans in an after-dinner speech at the Grand Hotel that the U.S. must also reinstate its presence around the world, because "as we pull back, no one believes we have their back anymore," and instability and the risk of war increases.

Bush, who was governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, said he cut government spending by using a line-item veto and said the U.S. president should have the same power at his disposal. He also called for a federal balanced budget amendment, a six-year lobbying ban for elected officials after they leave office, a shift of power from the federal government to the states, and a 10% reduction in the size of the federal bureaucracy.

Inviting a contrast with Republican front-runner Donald Trump, a bombastic real estate tycoon and reality TV star, Bush also called for greater civility in public life.

President Obama is "an American, he's a Christian," Bush said. "His problem is he's a progressive liberal who tears down anyone who disagrees with him."

Bush was introduced by Grand Rapids businessman Peter Secchia, a former ambassador to Italy.

Secchia, who laced his remarks with humor, said he recently spoke with Bush's mother, Barbara, and "she said Jeb is the best she's got."

Secchia told the crowd "it's a shame he had to sit around and wait because he was probably ready to be president a long time ago."

Five more Republican presidential candidates are to speak at the conference on Saturday.

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