Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush: President Obama should stop blaming others for the bad economy

(CNN) - Jeb Bush, the Republican former governor of Florida, said Sunday it's time for President Barack Obama to stop blaming the ailing economy on President George W. Bush, Obama's predecessor and Jeb Bush's brother.

While conceding that Obama did inherit a tough economy when he took office in 2008, Bush said that Obama's policies have hindered the country's economic growth.

"I think it is time for him to move on," said Bush said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"His policies have failed," said Bush. "And rather than blame others -- which I know we were taught that that was kind of unbecoming, over time you just can't keep doing that -- maybe offer some fresh new solutions to the problems that we face. But that's not going to happen between now and Election Day."

On the topic of turning the economy around and creating jobs, Obama and his presidential campaign often tell voters that the fiscal policies of the George W. Bush administration and, more broadly, Republicans caused the country's initial economic downward spiral.

Asked about the recent debate over the Republican Party's stance on abortion - which has frustrated GOP efforts to stay on the economic message -- Bush said his party needs to stay focused on the president's record.

The heated debate over abortion rights was spurred by controversial comments made last week by Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin from Missouri, as well as the Republican National Committee's development of the official party platform. The draft platform calls for a constitutional amendment banning abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest.

"I know that the Romney campaign would prefer to talk about the things that are on the minds of the American people," said Bush of the Akin controversy, also noting the presumptive GOP nominee's stance on abortion, which differs from the party's platform and would allow for abortion in the instances of rape and incest.

According to a CNN/ORC survey, 83% of Americans say that abortion should be legal in cases of rape or incest, with similar numbers believing abortion should be legal when the life or health of the mother is endangered.

Bush, rumored to have been considered as a potential running mate pick for Romney, also said he's not interested in a presidential run.

"I don't think about it. I'm not motivated by it. It takes an incredible amount of discipline and ambition to even think about aspiring to it and I'm not there yet in my life," he said. "I'm excited about supporting Mitt Romney. He's a great guy."

Bush is slotted to speak in a headlining role at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday.