George W. Bush might have developed a brotherly relationship with Bill Clinton -- but he 's still picking his actual brother , Jeb , over Clinton 's wife , Hillary , in a potential 2016 presidential match-up . The two former presidents have developed a close friendship , with Bush sometimes calling Clinton his `` brother from another mother . '' In an interview , CNN 's Candy Crowley asked Bush what that makes Hillary Clinton . `` My sister-in-law , '' he said . Hillary and Jeb : How the deciders decide . But when asked whether his brother , former Florida Republican Gov . Jeb Bush , could run against his sister-in-law , the 43rd president said : `` Yeah , and I think he 'd beat her . '' Bush said there 's no question Clinton is formidable , but his brother is , as well . The potential Clinton vs. Bush matchup would pit two of the most important American political dynasties of recent decades against each other for the second time . The public is the private Jeb Bush . Bill Clinton ousted Bush 's father , former President George H.W . Bush , in the 1992 election . The younger Bush then defeated Clinton Vice President Al Gore to succeed Clinton in the 2000 election . Hillary Clinton ran for the job when Bush left office in 2008 , but lost to Barack Obama in the Democratic primary . Bush 43 on Jeb Bush 2016 run : ' A toss-up ... I 'm all in for him ' Both the former secretary of state and the Florida governor have maintained their families ' vast political and fundraising networks . Clinton would be the prohibitive favorite to win the Democratic nomination , while Bush would likely face a stiffer challenge from conservative critics during his primary thanks to some of his positions on education and immigration policy . Bush has urged Jeb to run for president , he 's said in several recent interviews . Jeb Bush , meanwhile , said this week that he plans to make a decision early next year . `` He 's seen what it 's like to be the son of a president . He 's seen what it 's like to be the brother of a president , '' Bush said . `` And therefore he 's being very -- he is not rushing into running for the presidency . I have no clue where his head is now . '' Jeb Bush ignores family history in Obama immigration hit .
Former President George W. Bush says Hillary Clinton is his ' sister - in - law ' Bush said he hoped his brother , George , would win a presidential contest against Clinton .