Posted on 06/05/2006 2:26:43 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - A tip for visitors to Florida this summer: Don't start talking about "dynasty" unless you want to make Jeb Bush cranky.
"A day doesn't go by where someone doesn't have a great idea for what my life looks like in 2007 and beyond," the term-limited governor told reporters last week. "I'm not entertaining any discussion about it." Click to learn more...
But he may be the only person in the Sunshine State not discussing it. Even though he'll remain in the governor's mansion here for another seven months, speculation already is running high about what he'll do next. Predictions range from Bush becoming NFL commissioner to him making a dynastic run for the White House.
With untarnished conservative credentials and a statewide approval rating of 63 percent, President Bush's little brother is nearly as popular as Disney World in his home state.
"Most people acknowledge that he has been one of the more powerful governors that Florida has ever had," said Susan MacManus, a political scientist at the University of South Florida.
Bush, 53, has ruled out a run for the White House in 2008, refusing even a personal entreaty from Arizona Sen. John McCain, who paid a call late last year to feel him out about a possible McCain-Bush ticket.
"I honestly think it's because he understands that dynasties are not something Americans warm up to," MacManus said. "He is young and he can wait."
He also knows that the family name, for the moment anyway, is a hindrance outside of Florida. A recent national poll by Fox News/Opinion Dynamics concluded that just 28 percent of the public had a favorable view of him, compared with 45 percent who give him an unfavorable rating.
The poll found that the Republican trailed Democrats Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and former Vice President Al Gore.
Bush has some other potential liabilities as a national candidate, notably his troubled family. His daughter, Noelle, 29, was arrested for prescription drug fraud and his son, John Jr., 23, for public intoxication. Wife Columba generated headlines in 1999 for trying to hide $19,000 in new clothing and jewelry from U.S. Customs officials. The star of the family is eldest son, George, 30, who campaigned for his uncle George W. and is now a lawyer in Dallas.
No one blames the governor for these familial mishaps — "he's a good man," President Bush said of his brother last week — but having them recycled in the news media is awkward for anyone running for national office.
As to Jeb Bush's future political plans, the president said, "He's been in public life now for eight years, and I think he wants a breather."
The governor, who recently wrapped up his last legislative session, hasn't said what he will do next, although he recently reactivated a private foundation he created to advance school vouchers and other conservative causes.
Friends believe Jeb Bush, who was a commercial real estate developer in private life, will stay in Florida and work in the private sector while also remaining active in public issues.
Bush declined to talk about the future, saying in an e-mail that he's "not doing national press interviews" because he's focused on his job.
"I swore to uphold the laws of this state and I interpreted that a little broader, perhaps, to mean also that I was going to work 24-7," Bush said last week.
As governor, Bush made his mark with aggressive tax-cutting and education reform. His education efforts were dealt a setback recently when the Republican-led Florida Legislature rejected two constitutional amendments he sought to allow school vouchers and reduce class sizes.
Zealous budget-cutting earned Bush the nickname "Veto Corleone" from Florida lobbyists and lawmakers. The governor last year vetoed more than $335 million in state spending. In 2004, he vetoed $349 million.
"It wouldn't be completely correct to call him a control freak, but he certainly has his hands on the wheel," said Dan Gelber, the incoming Democratic leader in the Florida House.
In two terms as governor, Bush demonstrated an unblinking loyalty to conservative principles — a trait that Gelber said cut both ways in Florida, notably during last year's wrenching to-and-fro over the life of Terri Schiavo.
Bush led the fight to keep the brain-dead Schiavo alive, a move that was opposed by Schiavo's husband and unpopular with the public. But his stand burnished his credentials with the GOP's pro-life, conservative wing.
Tall and serious, the governor doesn't suffer fools. His friends describe him as having a dry wit behind the scenes, but say he's all business on the job, which is most of the time.
"He is not a compromiser," said Art Cardenas, a Miami attorney and former state GOP chairman who is close to the governor. "He is not a small-talker, not a back-slapper. He has a unique ability of being able to tell friends time and again, 'No.' "
The National Football League last month scouted Bush as a prospect to be its new commissioner. Bush said he was flattered but was committed to serving out his term.
"You kind of have to marvel at someone like Jeb Bush in these times, given the nasty nature of politics," said Jim Krog, a Florida Democratic strategist and one-time staffer for former Gov. Lawton Chiles. Chiles defeated Bush in his first run for governor in 1994, derailing a career that many analysts thought would quickly lead to the White House and clearing the way for the current occupant.
"Jeb grabbed the governor's office by the throat and held on all the way to the end," Krog said. "He was not a lame duck until the last week of the legislative session. There is something to be said for that."
Cory Tilley, a Tallahassee lobbyist and former Jeb Bush press secretary, attributed the governor's lackluster showing in the Fox News poll to the president's slide in the polls. He said his former boss has a deep disdain for Washington — and is leery of dynasties.
"Those press conferences with the national press corps? That would just make his stomach turn," Tilley said.
Of course, stomach-churning news conferences haven't deterred others from seeking the presidency. Just ask Jeb's older brother.
Running a southern governor is not a bad thing. Governors usually win. Repbulicans should steer clear of Senators. They dont win.
Jeb Bush is the most qualified candidate that we have. He has it all.
One problem, his last name is Bush.
However, let's say that a Democrat wins in 2008, Jeb would be in terrific position to run for President in 2012.
I know it's not fair, but his brother isn't exactly topping the charts right now.
I believe president Bush, if somehow he could run for POTUS again, would be very beatable. Anyone with the Bush surname will be guilty by association.
If a Dumbocrat wins the Presidency in 2008, pray you have a country in 2012.
I admire what Jeb did for Terri Schivo...as does her family.
What do you mean by your comment about Mrs. Bush?
One problem, he is working to erase our borders and create a north american, then western hemipsheric union along with this brother. He is using US taxpayer dollars to promote himself through an unconstitutional parternship linking the government with at private organization called the Florida FTAA.
America does not need men like this in the white house.
Except among his family, apparently.
Like it or lump it, the only 2 Republicans with even a chance of coming close to winning are Rudy and Condi. Put these two together and you have a team with broad appeal among moderates. I see Rudy as POTUS and Condi as VP, but the opposite is equally appealing.
> Republicans should steer clear of Senators. They dont win.
Thank Heavens for that!
Senators:
Clinton
Hagel
McCain
to name a few...
..no matter what you think about the President or his policies
you can take it to the bank
you have seen the last Bush in the White House in your lifetime...
Why you say that?
The way they have trashed his brother should make him never want to run for President.
No and neither his daughter.
Wife was charged with smuggling items into the country without paying duty on them.
Son of Jeb is the next real deal if he decides to follow into the family business, very handsome fellow that speaks spanish like a first language. Smart too.
Also unlike a Kennedy offspring he neither rapes, drowns, nor beats girls to death with golf clubs.
Why did Jeb found the Florida FTAA? Why is he using his position as governor to advance his private corporation?
Anyone who is presidential material better have answers to these questions.
The proper response outside of Florida would be: neutral.
The Bush name is attracting unthinking, knee-jerk reaction. Too bad, but it's life.
I think that would probably be the best approval poll on the president....one that included a neutral response.
1. Do you approve of the job that President Bush is doing?
Scale of 10 to 1: 10 = Excellent handling of his job as president; 1 = Extremely poor handling of his job as president
What number from 1 to 10 do you give to the president on his handling of his job?
Me = 7
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