Bush 44? [Jeb Bush for President]

Opinion Journal ^ | Aug 9, 2005 | BRENDAN MINITER

[The Raven]

He denies he's even interested, and a long list of political analysts have already written him off with the belief that the appearance of political nepotism would be too unseemly for voters to put the brother of the current president in the Oval Office. But in politics timing is everything, and as the clock advances towards 2008, things are starting to fall into place to give Jeb Bush the momentum he needs to win the White House. And this isn't contingent on Hillary Clinton emerging as the Democrats' nominee--though if she does, the path will be all the smoother for another Bush.

Let's first dispense with the idea that Jeb's biggest liability would be his last name. Since when does name recognition hurt in politics? It's true that many of this brother's political adversaries would simply cross out "George" in their campaign literature and ink in "Jeb" above it. MoveOn.org and other Democratic interest groups would find plenty of willing donors. George Soros would likely make another multimillion-dollar pledge to drive the Bushes from Washington. But then again, they did all that last time, and we aren't discussing who will challenge President Kerry.

[churchillbuff]

Both Bushes gave me a nervous stomach with their lack of eloquence """

Is Jeb also verbally challenged? George Sr. certainly is, and so, alas, is W. It would be nice to have a conservative president who could clearly articulate conservative principles, from the heart, off the cuff. Even Reagan's powers had diminished by the time he was finally elected president -- he was in his late 60s, or early 70s, wasn't he?

[Sentis]

People are blind to the danger of Political dynasties especially dynasties made up of people who haven't ever had to work a real job in their life. As much as Bush has defeated the Democrats he has not acted in the best interest of this country and when it has come to spending has spend more than most Democrats would dare. I know people love him but lets look at how he has done his job. I shudder to think we could end up with another Republican that wastes more of my tax money.

[summer]

Is Jeb also verbally challenged?

LOL...not quite.

[ZULU]

George Allen. Condi Rice. Somebody else conservative. Tancredo. How about the Republican Governor from Missouri??

He was on the Hannity show last night talking about pedophile laws.

He said that Missouri was implementing laws for mandatory lengthy sentences for pedophiles, and an ankle bracelet GPS system.

(Personally, I think a GPS system for pedophiles would work great - but with a railroad spike through their skulls instead of an ankle bracelet).

[summer]

Re taxes - From the Cato Institute, 2002: Rating the Governors: Many Receive Lackluster Grades on Report Card--Cato report finds declining number of tax-cutting Republicans, many states with higher spending -- - Excerpt:

WASHINGTON -- Only two of the nation's governors earned a grade of "A" on the Cato Institute's sixth biennial fiscal policy report card released today. Governors Bill Owens of Colorado and Jeb Bush of Florida received the top scores....

[LauraJean]

amen to that brother.

[summer]

He [MO gov] said that Missouri was implementing laws for mandatory lengthy sentences for pedophiles, and an ankle bracelet GPS system.

Following FL, as Gov Jeb Bush already signed the toughest law in the country against child predators.

[Sentis]

You say one thing but mean another. I have to clarify what your meaning is. You support him merely because he is a Bush and I want that clarified. So I change your wording to what it should be.

[Sentis]

So what my problem with Jeb has nothing to do with the job he is doing. My problem is about political dynasties. I don't see how I am being confusing I have stated that ten times now.

[Kevin OMalley]

This otta be fun, bump for later reading.

[ZULU]

Perhaps by the end of his eight years, but he was an eloquent spokesman for America and conservativism most of the time I heard him, and from reading the book on his correspondence, he was sharp as a tack - right to the end.

Bush I failed - he failed to continue the Regan Revolution and his son, while better than the father, is certainly no ROnald Reagan.

[ZULU]

So how did that freak get his hands on that poor little girl, then bury her alive. Now I understand the case may be thrown oout because the County prosecutor failed to follow state rules about Miranda statements.

After Terri Schiavo, the nearly botched election in Bush's first run, and now this pedophile situation, I wouldn't want to live in Florida and couldn't say much very positive about its leaders.

And, like I Also said the only GPS system that would work with a pedophile is based on a railroad spike through the brain, not an ankle bracelet.

[So Cal Rocket]

There's been a Nixon, Dole or Bush on all but one GOP ticket since 1952:

2004: GW Bush - Cheney
2000: GW Bush - Cheney
1996: Dole - Kemp
1992: GHW Bush - Quayle
1988: GHW Bush - Quayle
1984: Reagan - GHW Bush
1980: Reagan - GHW Bush
1976: Ford - Dole
1972: Nixon - Agnew
1968: Nixon - Agnew
1964: Goldwater - Miller (The Exception)
1960: Nixon - Lodge
1956: Eisenhower - Nixon
1952: Eisenhower - Nixon

[summer]

All I can tell you is that FL Gov Jeb Bush is the one GOP politician who literally makes some on the left immediately break out in a sweat. They know he could win national office.

[Sentis]

Then we need somebody new don't we.

[ZULU]

Perhaps.

But again. No more Bushes. Bush and his entire family are hardly mainstream conservatives. They are more like middle of the road moderates. There is nothing to indicate Jeb is any more of a conservative than his brother. Which turns me off.

[JohnnyZ]

You say one thing but mean another.

I say what I mean and I mean what I say. It's called being "honest"; "straightforward".

Of course I can't expect a Clinton-lover to understand that.

[JohnnyZ]

Bush and his entire family are hardly mainstream conservatives. They are more like middle of the road moderates.

Jeb Bush is undoubtedly a fiscal and social conservative.

[skeeter]

Bush 44? [Jeb Bush for President]

God bless 'em, but the Bush family needs another pasttime.

[ZULU]

Is Jeb a social conservative?

Would he vetoed signed McCain-Feingold? Would he veto the "Assault Rifle Ban" renewal? Would he appoint Supreme Court Justices with solid strict constructionist credentials? Is he to the right of George W. Bush?

If so, I'd vote for him.