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.

[Michael81Dus]

Why? The brand Bush stands for quality. ;-)

[newcats]

You're most welcome, troll. Us oldtimers aim to please.

So..just what is the criteria for being an "old timer" here? Did you even check my start date?
And what is the criteria (in YOUR book of rules) for being a troll?
Please enlighten me oh all knowing and Superior one.

[proud American in Canada]

Let me set the record straight, I am NO Clinton fan.

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Jeb would make a fine president, regardless of his name"

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If his last name were Smith, he would be the clear frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination, if not W's runningmate in 2004. He's a solid conservative who is a policy wonk and an intellectual, yet has great popular appeal. He won reelection as Florida governor handily in 2002 in spite of being in the liberals' cross-hairs, and his presence on the ticket would just about guarantee Florida's 27 electoral votes for the GOP. It's really a shame that he would face such strong opposition to a presidential run to replace his brother in the White House.

[JohnnyZ]

I remember Clinton's wife doing alot more of that than Clinton and lets stop fooling ourselves about politicians and pretending that they don't all lie.

All politicians are bad so it's okay if Clinton is bad, look he's kind to puppies.

Great political philosophy there chum.

[AuH2ORepublican]

For some reason, I didn't trust Allen very much. What you tell me about his views on abortion in the first 40 days of gestation seals the deal for me.

I like Pawlenty, too, and think a Pawlenty-Santorum ticket (assuming both win reelection in 2006) would be ideal. I also like a Pawlenty-Jeb ticket, though . . . .

[AuH2ORepublican]

"FYI, George P is pro-choice."

---

Source?

[68 grunt]

NO, no, no, no, no!

[churchillbuff]

The dynasty issues is a concern."""

A democracy isn't supposed to have a hereditary governing family. Be that clinton, roosevelt or even bush -- as much as jeb might be a good president.

At least Chelsea doesn't seem interested in politics, so the clinton dynasty won't go beyond the current generation.

[churchillbuff]

Ronald Reagan was much more than a movie star."""

He was also a union president. Heston in his memoirs says Reagan was a great, effective president of SAG.

[JohnnyZ]

FYI, George P is pro-choice.

Are you sure?

He wrote an Op-Ed in defense of Terri Schiavo.

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/dn/opinion/points/stories/031305dnedibush.c87a1.html

[JohnnyZ]

A democracy isn't supposed to have a hereditary governing family.

It's also not supposed to deny people the chance to be elected solely based on their last name.

"Don't Vote for another 'Bush'" is as un-Democratic as "Vote Bush because he's a 'Bush'".

[Sentis]

Hmm I think you miss my point Buddy. I said there are good things that can be said about anyone. As far as that goes CHUM your political philosophy that another Bush would be good for the country is wrong and if people listen to your nonsense we will end up with a democrat in the white house. CHUM

[summer]

I don't know what's going on, but Gov jeb Bush would be a fantastic president for the entire country, whenever he runs, in 2008 or 20012 or 2016, of that I am sure.

[summer]

I don't know what's going on, but Gov Jeb Bush would be a fantastic president for the entire country, whenever he runs, in 2008 or 20012 or 2016, of that I am sure.

[summer]

A better image of him here:


Florida's Favorite Governor, Jeb Bush

[summer]

Gov Bush just now came on the Food Network with a SPANISH voiceover for a public service announcement, promoting flash.org -- and you were right, his Spanish is PERFECT!

[AuH2ORepublican]

"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."

---

Both elections were up-for-grabs until the very end. In 1940, had Willkie won the 12 states that he lost by 7% or less (he got at least 46.3% in each), he would have won 307-224. And in 1944, Dewey would have won 281-250 had he carried the 10 states that he lost by 5% or less (he got 47.3% in each). So while those elections weren't as close as the ultra-close 1948 race (in which Dewey would have won had he carried three states that he lost by less than 1%), I don't think I would refer to them as landslides.

[summer]

But he came back four years later and was re-elected in 2002, despite the residual bitterness from the 2000 presidential election and the Democrats' decision to make his defeat a priority.

The author of this editorial missed the opportunity to make a number of important points. First, Gov Jeb Bush not only won "re-election" in 2002; he made history by becoming the first GOP gov ever to win a 2nd term in Florida. And, he won in a landslide, by the largest margin this state has ever seen in a FL gov race.

Second, the editorial discusses a national job boom, but fails to mention it is FL, and has been FL, under Gov Jeb Bush, that has been #1 in new job creation (no, not minimum wage jobs) for quite some time. Gov Bush has been a fabulous salesman for FL's economy, attracting new business and getting personally involved with convincing them to relocate or expand here.

He also has many contacts with foreign heads of state, as evidenced by all the many foreign dignitaries who visit him when visitng Florida, and get placed on his public calendar for a brief visit.

Gov Bush has a lot going for him, and he should never be written off in politics. Too many voters in FL, on all sides of the aisle, like him very much, whether they like GW and the GOP or not.

[proud American in Canada]

Heston in his memoirs says Reagan was a great, effective president of SAG.

You know, it might be strange to say, but I miss him.