Jeb Bush has a message for his competitors, especially Hillary Clinton… Bring it on.

The former Florida governor and Republican presidential candidate was the keynote speaker Monday night at the Fifth Annual Judge Joseph Story Dinner at the Prairie Moon Winery. The governor highlighted his plans of sustaining economic growth and embracing the energy evolution.

At the National Council of La Raza in Kansas City, Mo., on Monday, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton responded to a comment in which Bush said Americans need to work longer hours.

“Well, he must’ve not met very many American workers,” Clinton said.

Bush later responded to the criticism and said the comment was taken out of context. The governor acknowledged Clinton’s comment at the dinner on Monday night.

“Bring it on,” Bush said.

Bush said it warmed his heart Clinton was upset. He said 6.5 million people in this country are working part time and want to work full time.

Bush said he wants to be president in a way that brings people together rather than prey on the fear, angst and despair of people.

“I hope you won’t fall prey to the louder voices in our own party and certainly of the other party that are always trying to divide us, to separate us rather than unite us,” Bush said.

Bush said that one of the greatest successes of our country was the combining hydraulic fracking and horizontal drilling. Bush said it is important to “embrace the energy revolution.” He said the abundance of natural gas allows for export and industrialization of the U.S.

Energy competition is “saving consumers tons of money,” Bush said.

Bush, the younger brother of former President George W. Bush, said the country’s economy could grow at a rate of 4 percent. He said this would grow the middle class and allow people to be less dependent on the government.

Critics have argued 4 percent is not realistic, and 2 percent is more attainable.

“2 percent is nothing that we should aspire too. 2 percent is defeat,” Bush said.

Bush said there is a way to grow at 4 percent, but it is going to require a different kind of leadership.

“I believe the next president of the United States has to be a conservative,” Bush said.

Bush said the only way for the Republican party to win the White House is to bring people toward their cause rather than turning people off.

“A conservative is never going to be president of the United States again unless we recognize the world has changed,” Bush said.

Bush announced his candidacy in mid-June in Miami. There are currently 15 Republican and five Democratic presidential candidates.