Fla. ex-Gov. Jeb Bush working on immigration book

(AP) Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is a working on a book about one of the Republican Party's most contentious issues: immigration.

Bush has a deal with Threshold Editions, a conservative imprint of Simon & Schuster, for "Immigration Wars: Forging An American Solution." Threshold announced Wednesday that the book is scheduled for next spring and will be co-authored by conservative attorney and activist Clint Bolick. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Drawing upon history and American ideals, Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick outline a courageous and comprehensive strategy to bridge the partisan divide and set our nation's immigration policy on a just and rational course," Threshold said in a statement. "The book will present a comprehensive solution based on two core principles: Immigration is vital to America's future, fueling its growth, vibrancy and creativity; yet any true and enduring solution must adhere to the rule of the law."

The 59-year-old ex-governor has been urging his fellow Republicans to take on a more moderate tone on immigration, saying hard-line policies have led to lost elections. Bush himself was elected twice in a state with a substantial Hispanic population.

Books have become a standard way to advance a national candidacy and Bush, the son and brother of former presidents, has been widely discussed as a 2016 GOP contender should President Obama be re-elected. But he has disputed having such ambition, saying his goal was to help the 2012 Republican candidate, Mitt Romney.

Bush also helped write a book that came out in the mid-1990s, "Profiles in Character," published by his own Foundation for Florida's Future.