#jeb-bush

Sampling the pork chop on a stick. Snapping a selfie with the butter cow. Taking questions about foreign policy from hecklers.

For those who would be president, a visit to the Iowa State Fair may be the purest distillation of the campaign experience in the state that starts the voting in the race for the White House.

The 11-day event started Thursday, and most of the 2016 hopefuls will pass through, pausing to chomp on deep-fried snack foods, visit with locals out for a day of fun and spend some time on the political soapbox to talk with voters. (AP) Here's a look.

Photographs by Khue Bui for Yahoo News

Find more news-related pictures in our photo galleries and follow us on Tumblr!

Kernels for candidates

Fair goers vote with corn kernels for their favorite candidates at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. Hillary Clinton leads among democrats while Donald Trump led republicans in the informal poll. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Posing with George

Former New York Governor George Pataki (R) campaigns at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Kernel contest

Corn kernels used to make checkers pieces places 2nd at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Funny family

Extended family members (L-R) Stacey Nichols, Cohen Reynolds, and Bob Nichols pose in cutouts at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Sheep kisses

All Brooks, 14 of Councill Bluffs, IA, sits with her sheep Hild at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. Hold likes to climb and nibble at the fence back home. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Arm wrestlers

2015 Iowa State Fair Arm Wrestling Championships at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Boots

Source: Yahoo Politics

Glee

Geneva Judule, left, 23, and Dorcas Andoh, 21, both of Urbane, Iowa, enjoy the rides at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Evening overview

The Grandstand and attractions at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Trump spotting

Presidential candidate Donald Trump Flies over the Iowa State Fair in his personal helicopter on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Trump frenzy

Thousands of people wait to see presidential candidate Donald Trump at the butter cow exhibit at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. Although Trump's campaign said he would stop by the exhibit, he did not.  (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Hill's in da house

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hugs Bill Knapp II, chairman of Knapp Properties, at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Clinton clickers

Fairgoers take pictures of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

WHAT?

Louie Dixon, 6, of Des Moines, shows former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton his missing tooth at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

The missing tooth

Louie Dixon, 6, of Des Moines, showed former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton his missing tooth at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Press crush

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to the press at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Product!

Cans of grooming supplies at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'MAKEUP!'

Paint outlines of cow hooves at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. The paint is used to dress the animals up for competition. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Young competitors

Jacob Eilers, 13, of Urbana, Iowa, waits to compete in the Junior Showmanship category at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Kickin' off

A fairgoer sleeps in a cot outside of the cattle barn at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'A mother's job...'

Carter Zidlicky, 18, sleeps as his mother, Karrie Zidlicky, grooms their cow at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. Carter and his mother are helping his brother, who is competing. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Pig heaven

Contestants take a nap at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'Boar'-ing dreams

Big Mac, a champion boar, rests at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Fancy

A woman wears a sunflower hat at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Old wheel

Old wagon wheels are displayed at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Media frenzy

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush campaigns along Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst at the Iowa State Fair Friday, August 14, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'Freedom'

A fairgoer shows off his ink at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Chow down

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush campaigns at the Iowa State Fair Friday, August 14, 2015, in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Bush nose

Left to right, Anna Duncan, Carolyne Siverz and Madi Lindell, all 16 and of Waukee, Iowa, look on as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush campaigns at the Iowa State Fair on Friday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Sky ride

The sky lift ride at the Iowa State Fair on Friday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Curls

Contestants in the Cowgirl Queen Contest get ready to perform at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Reflect Jeb

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is reflected in sunglasses as he campaigns at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Cowgirl

Tatty Lanz of Indianola, Iowa, wears an American-flag-themed cowboy hat at the Iowa State Fair Friday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Steppin' out

A young boy gets ready to open a stable door at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Alternate transportation

Tractor parade — and enthusiastic patron — at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Wet down

A horse is walked as the grounds are watered at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Doin' the doo

Brittany Bru, seated, gets help from friend Taylor Wanatee as she prepares for the Cowgirl Queen Contest at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Touch of class

Hood ornament on a classic car at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Hat hook

Former U.S. Senator Jim Webb, D-Va., speaks at the Iowa State Fair, Thursday, August, 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Nail drivers

Decor at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Wheelin'

A woman uses a wheelchair to transport lawn chairs at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Huck on the soapbox

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks at the Iowa State Fair Thursday, August, 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Break time

Linda Anderson sits with her granddaughter Elya Adams, 10, as another granddaughter prepares for the Cowgirl Queen Contest at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

The touch

Good friends Vern Brown and Luetta Lambrecht at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Cat nap

Worker sleeps at the game station early Friday morning at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Two step

Dance lessons are given at the Iowa State fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Biter warning

A warning sign at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Standing by

A gurney sits near a ride at the Iowa State Fair Friday. EMTs who responded to this location were told they were needed just down the way, and left it behind. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Pride of the heartland

Corn entries in the Agriculture Building of the Iowa State Fair, Thursday, August, 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Classic pose

Pat Grimm cleans out her 1930 Chrysler Model 66 during an antique car gathering at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: by Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Sampling the pork chop on a stick. Snapping a selfie with the butter cow. Taking questions about foreign policy from hecklers.

For those who would be president, a visit to the Iowa State Fair may be the purest distillation of the campaign experience in the state that starts the voting in the race for the White House.

The 11-day event started Thursday, and most of the 2016 hopefuls will pass through, pausing to chomp on deep-fried snack foods, visit with locals out for a day of fun and spend some time on the political soapbox to talk with voters. (AP) Here's a look.

Photographs by Khue Bui for Yahoo News

Find more news-related pictures in our photo galleries and follow us on Tumblr!

Kernels for candidates

Fair goers vote with corn kernels for their favorite candidates at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. Hillary Clinton leads among democrats while Donald Trump led republicans in the informal poll. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Posing with George

Former New York Governor George Pataki (R) campaigns at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Kernel contest

Corn kernels used to make checkers pieces places 2nd at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Funny family

Extended family members (L-R) Stacey Nichols, Cohen Reynolds, and Bob Nichols pose in cutouts at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Sheep kisses

All Brooks, 14 of Councill Bluffs, IA, sits with her sheep Hild at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. Hold likes to climb and nibble at the fence back home. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Arm wrestlers

2015 Iowa State Fair Arm Wrestling Championships at the Iowa State Fair Sunday, August 16, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Boots

Source: Yahoo Politics

Glee

Geneva Judule, left, 23, and Dorcas Andoh, 21, both of Urbane, Iowa, enjoy the rides at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Evening overview

The Grandstand and attractions at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Trump spotting

Presidential candidate Donald Trump Flies over the Iowa State Fair in his personal helicopter on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Trump frenzy

Thousands of people wait to see presidential candidate Donald Trump at the butter cow exhibit at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. Although Trump's campaign said he would stop by the exhibit, he did not.  (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Hill's in da house

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hugs Bill Knapp II, chairman of Knapp Properties, at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Clinton clickers

Fairgoers take pictures of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

WHAT?

Louie Dixon, 6, of Des Moines, shows former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton his missing tooth at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

The missing tooth

Louie Dixon, 6, of Des Moines, showed former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton his missing tooth at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Press crush

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks to the press at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Product!

Cans of grooming supplies at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'MAKEUP!'

Paint outlines of cow hooves at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. The paint is used to dress the animals up for competition. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Young competitors

Jacob Eilers, 13, of Urbana, Iowa, waits to compete in the Junior Showmanship category at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Kickin' off

A fairgoer sleeps in a cot outside of the cattle barn at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'A mother's job...'

Carter Zidlicky, 18, sleeps as his mother, Karrie Zidlicky, grooms their cow at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. Carter and his mother are helping his brother, who is competing. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Pig heaven

Contestants take a nap at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'Boar'-ing dreams

Big Mac, a champion boar, rests at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Fancy

A woman wears a sunflower hat at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Old wheel

Old wagon wheels are displayed at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Media frenzy

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush campaigns along Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst at the Iowa State Fair Friday, August 14, 2015, in Des Moines, IA. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

'Freedom'

A fairgoer shows off his ink at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Chow down

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush campaigns at the Iowa State Fair Friday, August 14, 2015, in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Bush nose

Left to right, Anna Duncan, Carolyne Siverz and Madi Lindell, all 16 and of Waukee, Iowa, look on as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush campaigns at the Iowa State Fair on Friday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Sky ride

The sky lift ride at the Iowa State Fair on Friday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Curls

Contestants in the Cowgirl Queen Contest get ready to perform at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Reflect Jeb

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is reflected in sunglasses as he campaigns at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Cowgirl

Tatty Lanz of Indianola, Iowa, wears an American-flag-themed cowboy hat at the Iowa State Fair Friday in Des Moines. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Steppin' out

A young boy gets ready to open a stable door at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Alternate transportation

Tractor parade — and enthusiastic patron — at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Wet down

A horse is walked as the grounds are watered at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Doin' the doo

Brittany Bru, seated, gets help from friend Taylor Wanatee as she prepares for the Cowgirl Queen Contest at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Touch of class

Hood ornament on a classic car at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Hat hook

Former U.S. Senator Jim Webb, D-Va., speaks at the Iowa State Fair, Thursday, August, 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Nail drivers

Decor at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Wheelin'

A woman uses a wheelchair to transport lawn chairs at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Huck on the soapbox

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks at the Iowa State Fair Thursday, August, 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Break time

Linda Anderson sits with her granddaughter Elya Adams, 10, as another granddaughter prepares for the Cowgirl Queen Contest at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

The touch

Good friends Vern Brown and Luetta Lambrecht at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Cat nap

Worker sleeps at the game station early Friday morning at the Iowa State Fair. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Two step

Dance lessons are given at the Iowa State fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Biter warning

A warning sign at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Standing by

A gurney sits near a ride at the Iowa State Fair Friday. EMTs who responded to this location were told they were needed just down the way, and left it behind. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Pride of the heartland

Corn entries in the Agriculture Building of the Iowa State Fair, Thursday, August, 13, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Source: Yahoo Politics

Classic pose

Pat Grimm cleans out her 1930 Chrysler Model 66 during an antique car gathering at the Iowa State Fair Friday. (Photo: by Khue Bui for Yahoo News)

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was thrilled to bump into rapper Ludacris at the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday.

“I just came to see Ludacris,” Bush joked before a speech to state lawmakers, according to the Washington Post.

The likely Republican presidential candidate then tweeted a photo of his unlikely encounter with the hip-hop star, who earlier was recognized by the state House for his charitable work through the Ludacris Foundation — which has donated more than $1.5 million to youth programs across the country.

Never thought @Ludacris would be my opening act! His foundation does great work pic.twitter.com/RsF00SQgOw

— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) March 19, 2015

“I appreciate the fact that there are people engaged in assuring that children gain a year’s worth of knowledge in a year’s time, that we have high expectations for every child, and the fact that Ludacris is involved in supporting charter schools here in Georgia is something to be admired,” Bush said, according to ABC News. “I appreciate the fact that he is using his talents to be able to assure that children rise up, because if we don’t get that right, it’s hard to imagine how our country will continue to be the greatest country on Earth.”

The rapper, though, didn’t exactly return the pleasantries.

When asked by reporters which Bush was his favorite, Luda — who ripped President George W. Bush as “mentally handicapped” in his 2008 song “Politics” — reportedly said, “The one outside.”

As he is leaving statehouse, Ludacris is asked which Bush is his favorite. His response: “The one outside.” #gapol pic.twitter.com/7tCh12qiOc

— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) March 19, 2015

Jeb Bush says Trump support understandable given anger over San Francisco killing

SAN FRANCISCO – Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said Thursday in an interview with Yahoo News that Donald Trump’s rise in the polls is understandable given the anger of many Americans over the lack of immigration enforcement, but that Trump is wrong to “prey on their fears and angst.”

Bush said that support for Trump is coming from Americans who are “legitimately angry” about the lack of immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities like San Francisco, where many local authorities do not turn over undocumented immigrants to federal law enforcement. A 32-year old woman was shot to death last week in San Francisco by an immigrant who had already been deported five times.

“I totally respect and get why people are upset about this, completely. My heart goes out to the family of this precious beautiful girl that was killed,” Bush said. “But we should solve this problem. This has been lingering now for how long? Immigration reform needs to start with border control and move on beyond that. And I have solutions for these things.”

“And my campaign will be about leadership, not about trying to prey on peoples fears which I think is what Donald Trump is doing,” he said.

Bush disputed reports that he has been focused on prepping to respond to businessman Donald Trump in the primary debates that begin next month.

“I haven’t been preparing. But clearly he’s going to be in the debates. And I’m going to have to deal with it for sure. My guess is I’ll be a target but it doesn’t bother me a bit,” Bush said.

Watch Jeb Bush’s full interview with Yahoo News now

More from Jeb Bush’s interview with Yahoo News:

Obama has “legitimized” Iran regime that has killed U.S. soldiers

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is entering the race for the White House. Get to know the newest Republican presidential candidate and what he stands for.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush formally launched his 2016 presidential campaign Monday afternoon in Miami. Yahoo global news anchor Katie Couric will hosts a special livestream following the announcement along with a team of political experts who will provide analysis of Bush's White House bid. Stay tuned.

MIAMI –Jeb Bush made it official Monday, announcing his candidacy for president to a crowd chanting "Let's go Jeb" in Miami.

Try as he might to emphasize that he is his own man and not his father or his older brother, who both served as president, Bush could not shake the echoes of the past as he launched his own run for the White House here today.

In October of 1987, 10 days after wrapping up a trip to Europe where he defied the Soviet Union, then-63-year-old Vice President George H.W. Bush took to a stage in Houston, Texas, his adopted home, and launched a presidential campaign that was well-organized and well-funded.

On Monday, Jeb Bush, the 62-year-old former governor of Florida, having just returned from a trip to Europe where he talked tough against Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, will take the stage in Miami, his adopted home, and officially announce his own presidential campaign — one that is well-funded, like his father’s, but has not been quite as organized to date.

The elder Bush, as he announced a second run for the White House in 1987 (he had run before in 1980 and lost to Ronald Reagan), was struggling to emerge from the shadow of one of the most popular Republican presidents in history.

“This is the beginning of George Bush as George Bush,” Bush’s political director, Richard Bond, told the New York Times.

Jeb Bush’s greatest challenge is that he is seen by most Americans as the brother of George W. Bush and the son of George H.W. Bush, despite a long career in politics and business.

“I am my own man,” Jeb said earlier this year.

He expanded on that thought in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash this past week during his trip to Europe, at a stop in Estonia.

“Jeb is different than George, and Jeb is who he is,” Jeb said on his trip to Europe last week. “I don’t have to disassociate myself from my family — I love them. But I know that for me to be successful, I’m going to have to show my heart and tell my story.“

In substance, as well, Jeb Bush’s central slogan — the “Right to Rise” — is a continuation of a common thread that ties him to his father and brother. George W. Bush’s “compassionate conservatism” became a defining hallmark of his presidency, and a target for criticism from those who saw it as code for a Republican expansion of government.

Jeb’s older brother, then the governor of Texas, laid down a marker in his presidential announcement speech on June 12, 1999, in Amana, Iowa. In it, he challenged conservatives skeptical of his rhetoric about compassion.

“I know this approach has been criticized. But why? Is compassion beneath us? Is mercy below us? Should our party be led by someone who boasts of a hard heart? I know Republicans — across the country — are generous of heart,” George W. Bush said. “I am proud to be a compassionate conservative. I welcome the label. And on this ground I’ll take my stand.”

“Prosperity must have a purpose,” W. said.

Those words harked back to his own father’s announcement in Houston 12 years earlier.

’‘Prosperity with a purpose means, in short, helping your brothers and sisters whoever they are, whatever their needs,” George H.W. Bush said. “There are those who would say it’s soft and insufficiently tough to care about these things. But where is it written that Republicans must act as if they do not care, as if they are not moved?”

Jeb Bush’s closest political adviser, Sally Bradshaw, told Yahoo News ahead of his announcement that “for [Jeb] public service is about more than fixing problems — he has a heart for people who have been left behind and truly wants to help them rise up and reach their potential.”

“He’ll take his case everywhere and to everyone. Not just to certain kinds of people or to those who agree with him. He will do it without flinching,” Bradshaw said. “He’ll do it because leading is about something bigger than any political party or any one group. It’s about bringing people together and recapturing the promise of a great nation. And he’s going to work his tail off because he has to earn every vote.”

That’s another hallmark of the Bushes. They are about “running hard,” as George W. said in 1999.

“I’m running to win,” W. said.

H.W., in his announcement, said, “I mean to run hard, to fight hard, to stand on the issues, and I mean to win.”

The talk of compassion did not extend to political opponents, with tough attacks helping lift both H.W. and W. to victory.

In 2000, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was accused in South Carolina of fathering a black child out of wedlock in anonymous fliers, after he had beaten George W. in New Hampshire. Many suspected Bush supporters, though the Bush campaign denied any involvement.

And in 1988, George H.W. Bush won the general election by going negative on Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, a Democrat.

“There was a line that crept into [Bush’s] speeches. … It never got famous, like the catchy bluster of ‘Read my lips!’” wrote Richard Ben Cramer in his famous book on the 1988 election, “What It Takes.”

“But people in the crowds would look up when he said it … there was such an (unusual) air of conviction in Bush’s voice. … It came at the end of his praise for Ronald Reagan, how people felt differently about the USA now … how different was the economy, the business climate, the tax code. … Bush would praise all these supposed achievements, and then say: ‘And I’m not going to let them take it away.’ … There was the message of the campaign, in one line. And that line made perfect sense to Bush — once ‘them’ become Michael Dukakis. After that, Bush would do … whatever it took.”

Jeb, in his CNN interview, said his dad — who celebrated his 91st birthday on Friday — would be on his mind as he announces his candidacy.