Jeb Bush was last night applauded during a Republican presidential debate for proposing putting Margaret Thatcher’s portrait on the face of a new $10 bill.
All 11 candidates, including billionaire frontrunner Donald Trump, were asked which woman they would choose for the banknote. Mr Bush, the Florida governor, replied: “I would go with Ronald Reagan’s partner, Margaret Thatcher.”
He admitted it was unlikely to happen because she was not American but went on: “A strong leader is what we need in the White House, and she certainly was a strong leader that restored the United Kingdom into greatness.”
Baroness Thatcher is an admired figure among Americans who recall her role in the Cold War and championing of the free market.
She famously told Mr Bush’s father, President George Bush Snr, “This is no time to go wobbly, George”, after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.
The most popular suggestion from the candidates was Rosa Parks, the civil rights heroine.
Other suggestions included Mother Theresa while Donald Trump offered his daughter Ivanka.
The only woman on the stage, Carly Fiorina, dismissed the idea and said instead every woman should be allowed “to live the life she chooses”.
