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Bush: Jeb Would be 'Awesome' Senator
Politico.com ^ | 12/16/08 11:53 AM EST | Andy Barr

Posted on 12/16/2008 9:33:23 AM PST by lewisglad

President Bush is touting his younger brother Jeb’s qualifications to replace retiring Republican Mel Martinez as the next senator from Florida.

“He would be an awesome U.S. senator,” Bush said in a wide-ranging interview with RealClearPolitics.

“I think the party would benefit a lot by having Jeb Bush in the U.S. Senate,” the president added. “I think Florida would benefit a lot. I think the country would benefit a lot. And I think the Republican Party would benefit a lot. He is a proven leader who, when given responsibilities, succeeded.”

Earlier this month Jeb, a former two-term governor of Florida, told Politico that he is “considering” a run for Martinez’s seat. The Florida senator announced his retirement on Dec. 2.

To rebuild the GOP brand, the former governor has said the party needs to embrace reform and broaden the party’s outreach, especially to Hispanics. He also suggests a renewed commitment to core Republican principles such as a limited scope of government.

The president echoed his brother’s recommendations, saying that party needs to retrench along old lines.

“I think most Americans want their government to be effective, results-oriented, efficient," Bush said. “They would like to pay as little a tax as possible. They want their military to be strong, viable, and effective.”

“The question is how you take those basic beliefs and explain them, either through policy or words, in a way where there's common understanding.”

He also expressed worry that the party has become too exclusive and has turned off many voters. “Caring about people is an integral part of getting people to believe in you,” Bush said. “A guy says, 'They don't care about me, they don't respect my heritage' — you can’t get their vote no matter what your philosophy is.”

Looking back at the heated immigration debate of 2006, Bush said Republicans came off as “anti-Latino.”

“That's where the debate left our party in certain sectors, and so it hurts,” he said


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
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To: lewisglad

We need a Constitutional Amendment.

No Bushes, Clintons, or Kennedys ever allowed to hold any public office within the United States. Period.

Those three families have harmed this country more than any other three families in our history.

Enough already.


41 posted on 12/16/2008 10:18:56 AM PST by exit82 (It's all Obama's fault. And Biden is still a moron. They are both above their paygrade.)
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To: lewisglad

Swell. Bush is starting in on Americans are racist bigots line again. Screw him. And Hell No to his brother!


42 posted on 12/16/2008 10:19:07 AM PST by Soul Seeker (Gov. Sarah Palin '08 -- President Sarah Palin '12)
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To: cva66snipe

Amen, Brother!!

43 posted on 12/16/2008 10:19:53 AM PST by andy58-in-nh (Liberty has few friends, many enemies, and no adequate substitute.)
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To: dfwgator

That movie was some of Mel Brooks and Richard Pryor’s best work. Every notice this? Governor William J. Lepetomane or did they figure we were getting President William J. {Clinton} Lepetomane :>}


44 posted on 12/16/2008 10:21:26 AM PST by cva66snipe ($.01 The current difference between the DEM's and GOP as well as their combined worth to this nation)
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To: cva66snipe

You sure couldn’t make that movie today.


45 posted on 12/16/2008 10:23:06 AM PST by dfwgator (I hate Illinois Marxists)
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To: Non-Sequitur

“Our children’s children’s children will have a Bush and/or a Kennedy in the House and/or Senate. Mark my words.”

Regrettably, you might be correct. We shouldn’t forget Prescott, who makes W and Jeb already the third generation of Bushes in high office.


46 posted on 12/16/2008 10:26:17 AM PST by Will88
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To: lewisglad

Bush Droolers Alert!


47 posted on 12/16/2008 10:28:54 AM PST by gitmogrunt (Islamic Genocide 101)
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To: Will88

yea, no more bush. I don’t care if they’re decent ppl. They ruin the country by their overspending every time they’re in power and abuse the republicans that got them into power


48 posted on 12/16/2008 10:31:30 AM PST by 4rcane
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To: rabscuttle385

I agree.

A decent candidate for the opening, IMO, would be LtC. Allen West! RNC would never support such a move though


49 posted on 12/16/2008 10:32:55 AM PST by IMissPresidentReagan (I'd rather be a conservative nut job than a liberal with no nuts and no job. www.reaganaction.com)
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To: lewisglad

No more family politicians, please. Am sick of hearing about how they are somehow entitled.

We need leaders; not names.


50 posted on 12/16/2008 11:01:15 AM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote.)
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To: rabscuttle385; All

“No more Bushes! Ever! I don’t care how conservative they are; a pox on the house of Bush for what both Georges have done to the United States.”

Ahhh come on ya’ll...GW’s not so bad...in fact, some still think he the best thing since sliced bread.....says so right here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2149266/posts


51 posted on 12/16/2008 12:23:18 PM PST by Kimberly GG (Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda been HUNTER.)
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To: rabscuttle385

Without really knowing anything about Bush’s record, I’m inclined to agree. At best I’m very skeptical that Jeb would happen to be an actual conservative and break from bro and dad on anything. I doubt that’s ever happened.


52 posted on 12/16/2008 7:18:15 PM PST by Bull Market (The Neo-Con experiment failed. John McCain deserved to lose.)
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To: rabscuttle385
"No more Bushes! Ever! I don't care how conservative they are claim to be; a pox on the house of Bush for what both Georges have done to the United States."

Sorry, I had to do a little repair work to that sentence. ;-)

53 posted on 12/16/2008 7:20:47 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (America: Home of the Free Because of the Brave)
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To: mrclean5
"I’m from Florida, and Jeb was solid."

I was from Texas and thought Dubya was solid. Solid what, I don't know ...

54 posted on 12/16/2008 7:25:20 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde (America: Home of the Free Because of the Brave)
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To: lewisglad
Bush should stay retired. House Speaker Marco Rubio should run for Senate!

At least he's not some climate change nutball!

55 posted on 12/16/2008 8:28:36 PM PST by I got the rope
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To: rabscuttle385

Amen to that! What is with having a handful of families run this country? No more Bushes, Clintons, Kennedys, or Cuomos, to name a few. I thought we fought a war to do away with governed by a monarchy.


56 posted on 12/16/2008 10:04:44 PM PST by Pining_4_TX
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