Jeb Bush Releases New Bilingual Ad Costarring His 'Secret Weapon' – Wife Columba

"Hispanics are an integral part of the American dream," Jeb Bush says in Spanish in a new campaign ad

Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty

“In a new ad aimed at Hispanic voters – and quite possibly English language advocates Sarah Palin and Donald Trump – Jeb Bush crusades for the presidency in Spanish and rolls out his “secret weapon” – his wife, Columba.

After Palin and Trump criticized Bush for speaking Spanish on the campaign trail – with Palin suggesting that the GOP candidate “speak American” while in the U.S. – Bush released the bilingual ad declaring Hispanics “an integral part of the American dream.”

“The United States of America is a great country,” Bush says in Spanish. “Thanks to the people that come from all over the world, contributing to our economy and community. To me, Hispanic culture is very important and positive.”

The video, released by Bush’s campaign Monday in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, also features his wife, Columba Bush, speaking in English.

“I have lived over half my life here,” says Columba, who was born in Mexico. “We all have the same interests, the same feelings.”

“We go to church every Sunday. We have celebrations with the family and we keep our traditions. But at the end it’s just that, faith, friends and family.”

Bush adds in conclusion: “Hispanics contribute more every day to our culture; they are an integral part of the American dream. For these reasons and more, I invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month because we are all Americans.”

Bush called Columba his “secret weapon” to reporters in late July, saying his ties to the Hispanic community would be an asset if he’s elected president.

“I have Hispanic children, I have Hispanic grandchildren, I’m part of the community, so I think there’s a way to campaign and there’s a record that I have that when people see it and hear it is, I think it’s going to be okay. I cannot imagine having the same kind of numbers that Republican candidates have had in past presidential elections. I’m pretty confident that we can do better.”