“What what are we supposed to do? Marginalize these people forever?” Bush said.

Bush insisted that his support for providing undocumented immigrants a path to legalization wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for voters in the GOP primary, saying Republican voters “can be persuaded.” Bush suggested he’s showing stronger leadership than the rest of the field by defending his position, which includes strengthening border security, limiting those who can immigrate because of family ties, and expanding the number of immigrants who come for economic reasons.

“Do you want people to just bend with the wind, to mirror people’s sentiment whoever is in front of you? Oh, yes, I used to be for that but now, I’m for this. Is that the way we want to elect presidents?” Bush said.