Posted on 12/20/2006 5:35:25 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
The shadow of President Bush seemed to loom large over his younger brother on Wednesday, as the outgoing Florida governor ruled out any plans to return to elected office.
"No tengo futuro (I have no future)," Jeb Bush told Spanish-language reporters in Miami, when asked about any possible political ambitions after he steps down next month.
The popular, two-term governor has often been touted as a savvy politician with a good chance of following both his brother and father, George H.W. Bush, into the White House.
But the unpopularity and dismal job-approval ratings of his brother may have scuttled any plans Jeb Bush may have had for a future in politics after running one of America's most crucial swing states for the past eight years.
Bush did not elaborate on his terse "no future" comment. But he has said repeatedly over the past year that he would not run for president in 2008 and has never seemed comfortable with talk about Bush III or the Bush presidential dynasty.
"Jeb would have made an outstanding presidential candidate," said Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, who joined Bush at a luncheon on Wednesday hosted by a Cuban American political action committee.
Brownback, a Republican who launched an exploratory committee three weeks ago to consider his own bid for the presidency, added that he was "a Jeb Bush-type conservative."
In a backhanded slap at President Bush, Brownback cited "a heritage issue" as one factor currently weighing against a Jeb Bush presidency.
"People may be wanting to see a different name," he said.
Si quiere un futuro, tiene que tener esperanza.
That is without doubt as far as the Presidency is concerned, and probably the Senate as well.
Much as I like my governor, please, no more Bushes in the WH. There is too much of the like-father-like-son syndrome in that family. Both of the Bushes we have had have suffered from a lack of ability to see the bad guys as actually evil. W used the word in his Axis of Evil speech but in the end he seems to think of the enemy as "misguided" and reformable if you just show them a better way. The Elder Bush never understood that politics, once you are in office, is not a gentlemen's tennis match in which you let the other side win from time to time to be fair.
he should apply for a job with the carbon police.
He's young yet, and after a couple of terms of Clinton/Obama, America might want a Bush back.
That said, Jeb's probably right.
How pathetic. They made an entire article out of a very short comment.
Good. No more Bushes.
Tal vez no quiere un futuro.
Evidently Florida hasnt heard about his brothers ratings.hmmmm
No more Bushes and no more dynasty families.
Out of 200 million adult citizens, surely we can find a few more potential candidates other than another Bush or Clinton.
As a Florida resident I love Jeb Bush and have voted for him both times. I would not hesistate to vote for him in a Presidential election; however, I don't believe the average voter is ready for another Bush at the moment.
So Jeb Bush has no future as president because of the legacy of his brother, but Hillary does despite the legacy of her husband? What kind of BS is that?
I've always thought Jeb would have been a better President than George. But that darn Bush last name. ROFL.
I hope you are right. Possibly it could work because it is a long time away.
My God, did we elect the wrong brother?
Boy, the MSM was quick to put THAT in a headline.
Don't be too quick to color Jeb done. Maybe he shouldn't run in 2008, but 2012 may be a different story.
He is a solid conservative, very articulate, BILINGUAL, has a good track record with no debilitating skeletons in the closet.
I wish he had run instead of W, but that's water under the bridge.
I think, given a rest until 2012, once the public sees Jeb with fresh eyes, and he excludes W and his cronies, I could see the republic embracing Jeb.
"Out of 200 million adult citizens, surely we can find a few more potential candidates"
Just don't look in Washington... the place is haunted by Beltway zombies, also known as career politians!
I think two Bushes that promised one thing and delivered quite another are enough.
I'm waiting to see what the current Bush gives away on taxes to the Dems to secure his legacy. Can't wait to see him match his father's "no new taxes" pledge.
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