The Overrated Candidate: The Case Against Jeb Bush

The American Spectator ^ | December 29, 2014 | Larry Thornberry

[2ndDivisionVet]

The political baggage he carries isn't likely to fly.

Politically, Bushes are, like the value of the Ivy League degrees most of them have, vastly overrated. Jeb Bush, who recently, to the surprise of no one, all but announced he would run for president, is no exception.

Ever since Jeb established an “I’m Thinking About Running for President Committee” (translation to English: I’m running for president) a week or so back, the conventional wisdom, whooped up by the chatterati and the various great mentioners, is that this latest Bush is a lock for the Republican nomination for president in 2016. They also say he’s that party’s best hope for reclaiming 1600. He’s probably neither.

The man who would be Bush III was governor of Florida from January of 1999 to January of 2007. He was a competent, hands-on executive who did many things conservatives find simpatico. With the help of a Republican legislature, he cut taxes to the tune of about $20 billion over his two terms. He helped install higher standards in K-12 education and expanded educational choice. During the eight hurricanes that struck Florida during Bush’s governorship, he orchestrated competent and helpful responses on the part of the state’s emergency agencies.

For all these accomplishments, Jeb Bush left office with high approval ratings. And is still well thought of by a significant fraction of Floridians. So far so good. For a guy who would like to be president, it does no harm to have a successful executive record in what was then the fourth largest state in the nation, now third, and a fair chance of winning Florida’s 29 electoral votes. (In the last two presidential cycles Florida went narrowly to Caesar Obamus.)

But hang on, Jeb Bush also carries considerable political baggage....

[Sam Gamgee]

As I understand it, and correct me if I am wrong, but independents are welcome to vote in at least the most important primary states. This is strange to a Canadian like me where leadership races are totally inside baseball. With the liberal party, for example, you must be a member and have $200 to attend the leadership dinner at a posh location to participate (I say that with some sarcasm). Point is I guess why would just anyone be allowed to choose the candidate. Shouldn’t it only be those with an active interest in the process?

[Din Maker]

These stories come out about every 3 days on Jeb Bush
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Breitbart News is pushing for Jebbie to come out and say if he stands with Boehner and the GOP Leadership in standing by Congressman Scalise of LA who spoke to a White Supremacist Group in 2002 and has ties with a close associate of David Duke. The GOP Leaderhip is standing by their man. Jeb Bush’s office staff has said: “We’ll talk to him and get back with you.” So far, not a peep from the Bush camp. So, come on Jebbie; tell us where you stand on this.

[BeadCounter]

Add to that curious mix, a number of primaries are caucuses and so don’t have a public vote.

http://www.jvim.com/pt/2005/2005MayJun.pdf

A caucus primary seems to be a mini-convention. Others here would know better than myself but I am in total agreement with your post.

[Theodore R.]

Each state has its own laws regarding outsiders voting in primaries. SC, an early primary state, permits it; FL does not.

[Sam Gamgee]

A caucus primary? OK, now I know what that means. :)

[Sam Gamgee]

I guess that is fair enough as the Constitution saw the states as the ones selecting the President. A conservative, it seems, has an uphill battle just getting to bat (winning the primary). One could be a paranoid, like myself, and envision Democrats in free voting states supporting a milquetoast like Romney, ect, knowing the conservative base won't come out to vote.

[Theodore R.]

The conservative base is much smaller than many conservatives think. It toppled only one major establishment candidate in the 2014 primaries,
Eric Cantor in VA. It also succeeded in getting a good candidate in NE for the Senate and some lesser offices in TX. Otherwise, it lost over and over in the U.S. Senate primaries.

[BeadCounter]

Who are you kidding? The 2014 Election was epic,

Republicans won all over the place.

http://www.politico.com/2014-election/results/map/senate/#.VKVHVsksr7A

[Theodore R.]

Boehner and McC said even before Nov. 4 that Republican victories would make no difference in their positions. Conservatives did less well in the 2014 primaries than in the general election, which the GOP itself nullified.