Crossword Genius

Doyens, say, among Bush's people (5,9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elder statesmen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'people' is the definition.
(elder statesman is a kind of person)

'doyens say among bush's' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'say' could be 'state' (synonyms) and 'state' is found within the answer.
'bush's' could be 'elders' (elder is a kind of bush) and 'elders' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'men' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elder statesmen that I've seen before include "respected politicians" , "wise old folk" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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