Governor in Chief. Jeb Bush's remarkable eight years of achievement in Florida.

Weekly Standard ^ | June 12, 2006 | Fred Barnes

[FairOpinion]

IF ONLY HIS LAST NAME WERE SMITH. He'd not only attract national attention as the popular and successful governor of a difficult-to-govern state. He'd be viewed sympathetically as a leader who had dealt with family issues--his wife's aversion to politics, his daughter's bouts with drug addiction--without losing his grip on the governorship. And he'd be the prohibitive frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

But his last name is Bush. So Jeb Bush, nearing the end of his eight years as governor of Florida, has to settle for being the best governor in America. Not proclaimed the best governor by the media and the political community. But recognized as the best by a smaller group: governors who served with him and experts and think-tank and conservative policy wonks who regard state government as something other than a machine for taxing and spending.

Why is Jeb Bush the best? It's very simple. His record is the best. No other governor, Republican or Democrat, comes close. Donna Arduin, perhaps the most respected state budget expert in the country, has worked for four big-state Republican governors--John Engler of Michigan, George Pataki of New York, Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, and Bush. Even while she worked for Schwarzenegger, she told me Bush is "absolutely" the nation's premier governor. "He's principled, brilliant, willing to ignore his pollsters, and say no to his friends," she says.

[solzhenitsyn]

ping

[Walkin Man]

Love Jeb, he was a great Governor..but..

I will never vote again for any Bush for President as long as I live.

[new yorker 77]

Webb beating Allen is a pipe dream.

[FairOpinion]

"I will never vote again for any Bush for President as long as I live."



Do you consider this a RATIONAL attitude?

[misterrob]

But what are the allocations for? This looks like growth rate of about 5.5% per year so if you figure in an inflation rate of about 3% then the gain is about closer to 2.5% over 7 years. Also, have there been any tax cuts and has the budget produced a surplus?

[misterrob]

He was a Governor as well....

[xrp]

But what are the allocations for? This looks like growth rate of about 5.5% per year so if you figure in an inflation rate of about 3% then the gain is about closer to 2.5% over 7 years. Also, have there been any tax cuts and has the budget produced a surplus?

Huh...that doesn't matter. A conservative reduces spending. A moderate keeps spending in line with inflation. A liberal increases spending at a greater rate than inflation. Jeb Bush is just another liberal Republican wacko.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Perhaps he was, but as said: Acting senators...

Given their historic losing streak, I frankly don't see why either party would nominate a sitting senator. This political phenomena just might be all that keeps Hillery from winning the White House.