Jeb! (Why Jeb Bush Would Make an Excellent Presidential Candidate in 2008)

Townhall.com ^ | Matt Towery

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Hmm, and by the time Jeb finishes his two terms, his handsome, half-Hispanic son, Jeb P., should be ready for a run ;-) That should push Moore off the deep-end (though by then it would probably require an industrial strength tractor to push him).

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Since I replied in a substantive and respectful way, why do you resort to personal insult?

[Slipperduke]

Be careful, if you go for Jeb. Us Brits will start to make allusions to your new 'monarchy'!

[Ticonderoga34]

The last time that a incumbent President or Vice President didn't run for President as a nominee of either party was in 1952.

So the 2008 Presidential election is going be interesting, especially if no one from the current administration runs for President.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If I ever catch Jeb at a Halloween party wearing a Democratic National Committee armband, he's out!

[SampleMan]

#1 Reason: The day Jeb announced, 50% of the Dims would die in a sudden apoplectic fit.

[BigWaveBetty]

All those who dismiss Jeb out of hand are just jealous that we in FL don't have a state income tax, that we are a 'right to work' state and have an economy that's blazing right along. So there, nahya! ;-)

[Texas Federalist]

Gov Bill Owens is best pick for President.

At this point, I am with you. Jeb, like his father, is articulate and experienced, but lacks vision. Let's bring an ideologue back to the white house - it's been too long.

[JCISLORD]

As a governor and a person, Jeb Bush is unbeatable. Having spent time with the governor and his family, I can personally attest to his wit and intellect. I think he would be a great president, but he is firmly against running. He has seen thee media disparage his brother for years and does not want to put his family through the same character assassination. Though his past is completely clear, the media tend to fabricate issues, i.e., the CBS fiasco. I am very proud of our governor and wish our Constitution allowed him to be elected for another term.

[1LongTimeLurker]

Try recruiting Santorum.

No way, two items will doom his campaign:

• He's got too much baggage steming from his home-schooling dispute in PA where a county paid his family $100,000 so his kids could attend a charter school, even though the kids lived in Virginia.
• His wife's frivolous lawsuit against a chiropractor for half a million dollars in damages (she won $350k, a judge later ruled it excessive and dropped it to $175k, meanwhile Santorum has been a leading advocate of tort reform.

  Try George Allen instead, a real conservative.

[Ticonderoga34]

Remember, the Democrats say that George W.Bush wasn't elected in 2000, so he is eligible to run in 2008 according to the Democrats. .

Maybe the President will run for reelection in 2008.

[ken21]

jeb will just be a slam-dunk for hillary.

[1LongTimeLurker]

To achieve this goal, he has provided a record four-year increase of $2.9 billion (26 percent increase) in K-12 funding.

Just what we need - another so-called "republican" who thinks that spending more tax dollars on education is an admirable goal. Haven't we learned anything in the last 4 years?

[AppyPappy]

Didn't he already say he won't run?

[Slipperduke]

lol! I only wish we could be so decisive!

In all seriousness, it would start to have the look of a the look of a dynasty. In terms of profile, I would have thought that Guilliani would be a good choice. Even pre-9/11 he had a fantastic reputation here for his NYC anti-crime policies. He's charismatic, trusted and he'll snap up the swing voters on the left. Match him up with one of the young stars and you've got a dream ticket.

I have no idea what the Dems will do. Edwards would seem the best bet, but has he tarnished himself by going alongside Kerry? Either way, they'll have to come up with something special.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL! And if W wins in 2008, and Jeb can get himself "selected not elected" in 2012, then he can run for election and re-election in 2016 and 2020!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Yes, but politicians have occasionally been known to change their minds.

[Gritty]

Jeb would be a great pick for President.

For those who reflexively point fingers and scream "Dynasty!", reflect that hillary is also a "clinton" and she will be the Democrat candidate in this very same year, '08. She will bring Bubba directly right back in to the White House - not just as an occasional visitor and confidant relative but as her husband whom we will have to see and listen to every day - sort of a Co-President.

That "Dynasty!" dog the MSM will serve up against Jeb just won't hunt!

[AppyPappy]

When was the last time a sitting Senator won the Presidency?

I would love for Allen to run just to hear the Democrats whine for him to step down from the Senate like Kerry and Edwards didn't.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

For those who reflexively point fingers and scream "Dynasty!", reflect that hillary is also a "clinton" and she will be the Democrat candidate in this very same year.

I hadn't thought of that. Great point!