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"I made the
mistake of saying that the Congress operates on a French
workweek,” Bush told reporters in a deadpan voice while
campaigning in New Hampshire, according to Time magazine. "I
really did a disservice to the French."
During last week's debate among the Republican candidates, Bush
had criticized one of his rivals, Florida Senator Marco Rubio,
for missing votes, as well as Congress in general for working a
three-day week.
"I mean, literally, the Senate - what is it, like a French
workweek?" Bush had asked.
His comment drew a rebuke from French Ambassador Gerard Araud
and emails from French journalists and was part of a lackluster
debate performance for the former Florida governor.
"I now know that the average French workweek is actually greater
than the German workweek," Time quoted Bush as saying. "So, my
God, I totally insulted an entire country - our first ally, that
helped us become free as a nation. And I apologize. That did a
huge disservice to France."
Bush has seen his poll numbers slide in recent months and he
sought on Monday to revive his prospects for the November 2016
election by starting a "Jeb Can Fix It Tour" in New Hampshire
and releasing an e-book.
For more on the 2016 U.S. presidential race and to learn about
the undecided voters who determine elections, visit the Reuters
website. (http://www.reuters.com/election2016/the-undecided/).
(Writing by Bill Trott; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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