Posted on 06/02/2006 8:01:07 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
Has his child protective service stopped losing kids?
RIP, Terri.
The thing is (IMO of course)is that he couldn't get anywhere with his state people. You think he could handle the DC crowd?
No, just people who have concerns. Is that not allowed anymore?
He tried. He really did.
Everything except stop the perversion of the legal system employed to kill the most innocent and helpless. Please warn us with a "Rubber Boots Needed" alert next time.
If Jeb was elected governor in 1994, he would probably be the president.
Have they removed the fishbowls containing condoms from the state aid offices?
I thought so, he spent more time working on her case than any other ordinary Floridian.
I don't care if it's a dynasty or not. I think Jeb would be great as President with the background and history he has as Governor. It's the man that should be voted for, not the name.
suuure he did. he tried (and succeeded) in making you think "he tried."
Jeb is executive branch, he couldn't do anything against the judiciary. He even tried to get the Protective services to rescue Terri, but someone leaked the plan and got a judge to get an injuction.
Jeb really cared and really did do everything possible.
It is horrific, that the judiciary is not accountable and literally they got away with murder.
"I don't care if it's a dynasty or not. I think Jeb would be great as President with the background and history he has as Governor. It's the man that should be voted for, not the name"
I agree!
As a Florida resident for the last 20 years, I just want to thank Jeb. He's done a remarkable job in a remarkably dynamic state. He could and would handle anything - here and anywhere.
sounds to be a rather obsessive sentiment in itself.
---No, just people who try to bring things like immigration or Terri Schiavo into every discussion.---
Or as Archie Bunker would say, "Edith, stifle yourself!"
But would he carry on where his brother left off with this immigration nonsense?
I lived there 20 years, too. Jeb was invisible.
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