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.
Good post.
That's the best anti-hillary bumper sticker as it appeals to both sides. "No more Bush/Clinton!"
He could have won that seat no problem THIS year.
Ok... a clinton in 08 the another bush in 12?
This is silly. Jeb made known a few years ago that he had no intention of running for President. He may run for Senate in a few years, but he has stated his desires in terms of the Presidency already.
I'm going to miss him too...he'd get my vote for anything.
Now if we could only do the same with you panty-twisters.
No more Bushes and NO MORE CLINTONS. Enough already.
No bias in the way this reporter puts his own spin on this situation, is there? /sarc
Do you mean, "Stay out the Bushes'? Didn't Jesse Jackson say that a few years ago? Was Jesse right?
If he wanted a future he should have challenged Nelson in the Senate. If he won, he moves his act to Washington. If he loses, he just retires. The presidency likely won't happen, and he just wrapped up as Governor. The only think left is the US Senate, and he let it slide.
If he had run for Senate we would have control in January.
LOL, Reuters!!! I was just watching our local news broadcast and they said that Jeb had a 57% approval rating that he has done a good/great job. Even among Dems his good/great rating was 29 percent. The report went on to state that most governor's approval numbers diminish during an eight year term, but not so with Jeb.
He doesn't need to be BILINGUAL. Spanish only should be good enough by 2012.
Excellent point!
The same could be said for Algore and John "I was in Vietnam"Kerry
Yo no tengo futero.
Sorry, I voted for my last Bush.
To me it just sounds like his 'I have no future' comment only refers to his having no immediate plans.
The Bush-hating media is spinning into to 'that damn George has cost me any polical future whatsoever'.
Jeb's future weill be what Jeb decides it will be, not what the media fantasizes it will be.
Trade one Bush for twelve hundred Kennedys.
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