Third Bush push for president

Former president George HW Bush, father of the outgoing US commander-in-chief, has touted another son, Jeb, for a future presidential bid.

"I'd like to see him run. I'd like to see him be president some day," the elder Bush, 84, who was the 41st president, told Fox News yesterday.

"I think he's as qualified and able as anyone I know," he said in an interview, adding however that "now is not the time" to push another White House run by a member of his famous family dynasty.

"There have been enough Bushes in there," said the octogenarian, who served as commander-in-chief from 1989 to 1993. His son, George W Bush, leaves the White House on January 20 after two terms.

He said son Jeb, a former governor of Florida, would also would make an "outstanding" senator representing the state.

"He's a guy who really has a feel for people, the issues in Florida and nationally and his political days ought not to be over," Bush said.

The former president also had words of praise for his older son, who faces relentless criticism and historically low opinion polls as he ends his eight-year White House stint in a little over two weeks.

"The fact that everything that's a problem in this country should be put on his shoulders, that's not fair," Bush said.

"He ran a clean operation, having kept this country strong and free after unprecedented in history attack, 9/11, and he'll have a lot to be proud of," said Bush, adding "he'll come home with his head high."