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.

[Graymatter]

His surname is not his biggest liability.
Ever see a guy come back from a rest room with a line of bathroom tissue trailing out of his pants? Like he pulled up his pants too carelessly?
Jeb's biggest liability is his long white SPINE trailing from his behind, on the way out from a meeting with Judge George Greer.

[dennisw]

Jeb ain't too bright. He is not an activist, his genius lies in leaving well enough alone, not messing things up. The buoyant Florida economy and housing market make him look good

Yes, I'm happy to have him as my governor rather than some Donk.

[Non-Sequitur]

His last two races however weren't exactly landslides

He won with 55% of the vote and 85% of the electoral votes in 1940, and with 53% of the vote and 81% of the electoral votes in 1944. Not too shabby and landslides in anyones dictionary.

[dawn53]

succeeded on his own merit not on his father's dime

Do you have something against "rich" people?

By your definition, Clinton was a self-made man, as was Jimmy Carter...their Daddy's weren't rich.

Have any ideas of self-made men that might run for President in the 2008 GOP?

[Brilliant]

It won't be Bush 44. But it might be Bush 45.... particularly if it's Clinton 44.

[EQAndyBuzz]

ALLEN/RICE in 08

[trustandobey]

Graymatter,you are so right! Who needs a President that will let an illegal Judge tell Him what to do? Makes me want to scream, people open up your eyes and see what is going on in Florida, it is headed for the whole country unless someone is wise enough to put a stop to it. Are there no real men anywhere?

[OESY]

The smart money is on Jeb.

[Sentis]

Nothing against Rich people, especially ones who got their on their own like most Republican presidents have been other than the Bushes, but you seem to have more faith in Bush than Reagan and Bush isn't half the man Reagan was. Bush is at best a compromise candidate and only won the last election due to the democrats putting up an even more compromised candidate. Lets not fool ourselves into believing our victory was driven by anything more than the Democrats inability to choose a good candidate. Our ability to win the next election rides on our ability to put forth an actual candidate rather than a name with some political clout or we are going to lose and lose big even against Hillary. The reality is Hillary is going to win the Blue states they are solid more solid than the South. She only needs to get Florida or Ohio to side with her and she has the election. If we put another Bush forward we don't stand a chance

Clinton was a self made man and regardless of how you feel about him that is a positive in my book regardless of his other failings. Carter was not selfmade in anyway shape or form.

[Holding Our Breath]

ALLEN/RICE in 08

My husband's pick...

[cotton1706]

With one exception (the great race of 1964), we've had either a Nixon, a Bush, or a Dole on the national ticket since 1952. It's time for somebody else. I won't vote for another Bush. I'm for Allen.

[SouthCarolinaKit]

I'd vote for Jeb in a nanosecond. Can NOT stand McCain or any of the others they Lyin' Media loves.

[chris1]

Forget the Bushes. Let someone else have a chance for heck sake.

Enough family dynasty, enough legacy, enough star power, enough nonsense. Let's get some new blood in there.

[unixfox]

Hasn't Jeb said "No" to this a multitude of times???

How many will it take before the media gets it???

So has Hillary but that still doesn't stop them from spewing her lies.

[newcats]

And what has George P. done to make you believe he should be the President of the United States?

His name is Bush. That's all that Bush-bots need.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

All it takes is one theoretical editorial and the Bush-bashers are out in force. Where's Pat Buchanan?!

Honestly, I don't think Jeb will run in 2008, simply because of the "dynasty" issue. He'll wait and bide his time till 2012 or 2016 while trolls like you vote for somebody like McCainiac or the Witch herself just to spite yourself.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Can't we please, as a nation, move on from having the Bush or Clinton families rule us? Surely there are some other qualified people to run for one of the major parties than Hildabeast and Jeb?

[JohnnyZ]

Jeb would make a great president.

If he ran I would support him 100%.

Yes, I doubt he would run this time.

No, this is not a monarchical anything. Jeb Bush is, actually, the prominent political figure that I would most like to see as president after GWB on his merits. Denying someone the chance to be elected simply because of his family is as antithetical to democracy as supporting someone because of their family.

[Joe Brower]

This thread has just added to the FreeRepublic Florida Politics list by adding the keyword "Florida".

Any time a Florida-related thread is created on FreeRepublic, please be sure to add the "Florida" keyword to it so that interested FReepers don't miss it.

Let Freedom Ring,

[Joe Brower]

Florida Freeper

I'm compiling a list of FReepers interested in Florida-related topics.
If you want to be added, please FReepMail me.