Posted on 02/16/2020 1:23:10 PM PST by The Houston Courant
As a Houston-area resident and military veteran, I’m troubled by Pierce Bush’s entry into the race for the 22nd Congressional District. I spent six years in the Air Force during the early 2000s and deployed to Iraq in service to our country. All the while, members of Pierce’s family lived in the White House and called the shots. He comfortably went to college, worked in private equity, and later began work at a nonprofit.
Pierce thinks his foray into politics should be comfortable too. He was shopping for a congressional district months ahead of his announcement. I heard rumors of his entry into the race from GOP insiders, which triggered the obvious reaction in my head, “Who the hell is Pierce Bush?”
He initially expressed interest in the 7th district, the one his grandfather, the late President George H.W. Bush, represented in the late sixties. He undoubtedly realized that he would be unable to beat the two strongest contenders for the seat, Cindy Siegel and Wesley Hunt, the latter of whom has received an endorsement by President Trump. The challenge was likely too intimidating. Pierce ditched that idea after GOP Rep. Pete Olson announced he was retiring in the 22nd District.
The 22nd is more convenient for Pierce; it’s the path of least resistance. It’s been in Republican hands for six terms and President Trump won it by eight points in 2016. The young Bush does not live in the district but has “planned to move in” to it, according to the Texas Tribune.
Worse yet, Pierce’s strength in this race comes entirely from the name and connections he shares with two former presidents, one of whom served as a Texas congressman and the other as a Texas governor, as well as with the current Texas Land Commissioner. Pierce’s father Neil, the son of George H.W. Bush, has reportedly been actively working his contacts to support Pierce. His candidacy epitomizes callowness, nepotism, and self-entitlement. This family thinks they are royalty.
If that sounds harsh, consider who Pierce is asking voters to reject: One of his GOP primary rivals is a county sheriff, Troy Nehls, with decades of law-enforcement and U.S. Army service, not to mention two Bronze Star medals. Other candidates include a self-made tech-marketing maven with a strong record of voluntarism as well as a former Border Patrol agent, Greg Hill.
Two additional veterans who may tout their honorable service record are Joe Walz an army veteran and Jon Camarillo a marine.
I’m still waiting for Pierce to reveal what’s so special about him besides his lineage. I believe a major reason his run vexes me is my own years of service in the United States Air Force. I am certain many others with service records have a similar view. The problem isn’t simply that Pierce hasn’t served in a military capacity. It’s that he hasn’t served, period, in spite of the advantages into which he was born. He hasn’t shown true appreciation for them. He was never a policeman, a firefighter, or any other kind of first responder.
Pierce moreover hasn’t demonstrated unique professional merit. Since 2015, he’s been the chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, a laudable organization to be sure, but one you’re not picked to head in your 20s without either social privilege or special aptitude. He has only the former.
It is clear Pierce is self-conscious about these matters. “This is not about my family,” he told the press last month.
He has yet to give us reason to believe him. That is why I ask, ‘why didn’t you serve’ and why I call especially on my fellow veterans to ask Pierce Bush the same. We need representatives in congress with a little skin in the game.
https://www.houstoncourant.com/houston-voices/2020/pierce-bush-never-served-his-country-i-want-to-know-why
You might be surprised to know how many TX “Republicans” jump at the name “Bush, “ and any Bush will do (despite Jebbie’s loss in 2016).
“I could never vote for an American named, “Pierce.” The Euro-weeniest name ever.”
My nephew is “Pierce” — my grandmother’s maiden name. He’s a manly farmer.
Oh, he’s named after his Grandma. Here I thought it wasn’t manly.
MM, I’m only joking. Sorry to have offended you.
Agree. I would never vote for any Bush from that family. The old man used my friends at FT. Bragg’s sports parachute clubs plus the Golden Knights to tandem jump his weak kneed cowardly
a— out of planes. Hell, I’d jump with my spine in terrible shape if I had to. He fake jumped for votes.
“Stay out of the Bushes”
A hand in the Bush is worth two birds!
“The contention that you have to be a veteran, a cop or a fireman to be a good congressman is pure nonsense.”
I think we should pass a constitutional amendment to that effect. Serve, or shut up.
I knew Neal Bush in college. Nice fellow but neither smart nor energetic. I doubt that his son would be any different.
Fortheloveofgawd. Not ANOTHER Bush.
...sigh...
NO MO BUSHES!
>>>> I could never vote for an American named, “Pierce.” The Euro-weeniest name ever. <<<<
>> Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States. <<
And a Demonrat! You proved my point!
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