Jeb Bush has become the GOP front-runner for 2016 — so now what?

Washington Post ^ | January 31, 2015 | Karen Tumulty and Matea Gold

[C19fan]

Mitt Romney’s decision to forgo a third try at the White House has settled the question of whether the 2016 GOP presidential field has a front-runner — bestowing a coveted status on former Florida governor Jeb Bush that also raises new challenges and perils.

Republicans have a tradition of picking an anointed one early. That establishment candidate almost always ends up with the nomination, although not without a fight and some speed bumps along the way.

[EEGator]

This is the best book on the topic:

[rockinqsranch]

“Front runner” eh. The Left would love that.

My ACME Catalogue BS detector is sounding off like a steam whistle on an approaching steam locomotive.

[anton]

If a conservative runs as an independent candidate, I will sell my car and donate the money even if he is certain to lose. Nothing but a resounding defeat of the Bush/Romney/McCain will ever get a decent candidate. Ronaldus slipped in past Bush and Connelly for reasons unlikely to repeat in 2016.

[FreeReign]

Not giving up. But, I am a student of the past. And the past tells me that we have not had a decent candidate since Ronaldus.

Yes, not optimistic but not giving up.

[mulligan]

Find someone else. A real honest and competent person. The nation has had all the worthless and corrupt politicians it can stand. Just look a today’s America.

[Mears]

The thing I don’t like about Jeb is his last name.

No way !!!!!!!!!!!

.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Mitt Romney’s decision to forgo a third try at the White House has settled the question of whether the 2016 GOP presidential field has a front-runner — bestowing a coveted status on former Florida governor Jeb Bush

If this is really the best the GOP can do after 8 years of the most liberal presidency in history - Romney or Bush, maybe with Christie thrown in for good measure - then what possible purpose does the GOP serve? Liberals are already represented by the Democratic Party. If the GOP wants to represent the tiny "Liberal Lite" segment, who exactly represents conservatives - who are still the biggest plurality in the American electorate.

[bicyclerepair]

100% agreed. But I think the beast will be elected due to her lady parts. (She pretends to have them very well). Skin color is off the table this time.

ANY MALE R will lose to the beast or fauxchohontis.

[Lumper20]

He will not get the nomination as many like Walker.

[jz638]

Jeb should ask Rudy Giuliani what being the GOP frontrunner a year before the primaries gets you. He could ask Hillary too for that matter.

[hapnHal]

I want MY COUNTRY BACK!

NO MORE BUSHES!!

[only1percent]

We all need to calm down.

Things are much better than they’ve been in a long, long time.

We have at least two likely candidates (Walker and Cruz) who are better than anything the conservative wing of the party has offered since Ronald Reagan 37 years ago. Conservative candidates in the past have been nobodies, has-beens, or barely trying. Thanks to the internet donor base and independent expenditures of dedicated conservative donors they can be fully financially competitive without any establishment-blessed fundraisers in New York or LA.

And Jeb Bush is unlike any past “establishment” candidates. He is violently opposed to many mainstream conservative goals and ideas. He is distinctly associated with NO mainstream conservative goals and ideas. He’s not like John McCain in 2008 ... heck, he’s not even like Rudy Giuliani in 2008. You have to reach back to the likes of Howard Javitz to find someone with his (lack of) fit on the ideological spectrum.

If Jeb is nominated, it’s because Republicans want him, not because the wool was pulled over anyone’s eyes.

[Ms Mable]

Jeb Bush has become the GOP front-runner for 2016 — so now what?
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$hits and giggles from H. Clinton! I must ask how a Bush can fight one of his own? Just a few months ago George was stating that he and Billy were brothers from another mother? Yuk...yuk...laugh...laugh...oh those silly friends....

Oh PLEASE, how is a Bush going to really go after Hilary’s record when they are like family to one another????

NOPE, I refuse to vote for another Bush or any one that thinks or acts like one!

[Elyse]

Why do people here like Walker? He is just another “give them a path to citizenship” loser. Another candidate that doesn’t realize there is already a legal, valid path to citizenship that isn’t much different from Jeb. Are we going with anything but Bush this year?

[weeweed]

We’re so screwed..

[Lumper20]

Walker is more conservative. I really like Kasich .

[Lumper20]

I agree.

[clearcarbon]

If Jeb is the Republican candidate most likely to loose in the general election, it should be entertaining watching the LMSM try to promote him as the best Republican candidate in the primary.

[Arthur McGowan]

Well, there have been about 57 million abortions, with at least 100 direct accomplices. That’s reason enough for the U.S. to be destroyed, without putting most of the blame on the Bushes.

The Bushes are an amoral family who worship money and power, who play the game of looking like a bunch of more-or-less upright Christians.

If they were upright Christians, they wouldn’t have rescued the Serial Rapist from the disgrace he left office in. Even the liberals were screaming about his bought-and-paid-for pardons when he left the White House. The snuggling and cuddling between Bush 41, Bush 43, and the Rapist has been revolting.

[Elyse]

Walker might be more conservative than Bush, but he still wants to give people who came into our country illegally “ a path to citizenship”. Any candidate that uses those words is not going to do anything to significantly stop illegal immigration.