No more Bushes.
Posted on 09/23/2009 2:47:27 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
INDIANAPOLIS | Did Hoosiers get a first look last week at The Ticket?
Mitch Daniels. Jeb Bush. 2012?
Both Republicans frequently deny seeking higher office, but each man also told The Times the other would be a strong candidate for a presidential run.
"If he wants it, sure," Bush said of Daniels' national prospects.
"I honestly believe he is the best governor in the country in terms of the courage of his convictions, intelligence, strategic thinking," Bush said.
At the same time, Daniels said he's disappointed Bush says he's ruled out a future in government.
"I understand his answer, but I hope one day he'll rule it in," Daniels said.
"I think, honestly, he's the best I've seen in either party. He's smart, very principled, very open-minded, very practical, and he's proven in both private and public life that he can get results," Daniels said of Bush.
Daniels, an Indianapolis Republican who won re-election in 2008, is barred by term limits from running for governor again in 2012. Bush, the brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H. W. Bush, served as governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007.
Bush now heads the Foundation for Excellence in Education, which promotes school-reform plans, as he did at Indiana's Education Roundtable in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
"I can tell him there's life after being governor," Bush said of Daniels. "It may not be as cool as being governor, but there's life after that."
Speaking to reporters after the event, Daniels and Bush looked comfortable standing together at the same podium, each wearing a single-breasted dark suit and blue shirt. While Bush stands a full head taller than Daniels, their friendly rapport was evident in the casual back-and-forth conversation between the two Republicans.
Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock says he hopes both men, but especially Daniels, will seriously consider a national run in 2012.
"I would love to see Gov. Daniels do it. He has so many qualities that this country is absolutely crying out for right now," Mourdock said.
And with Daniels at the top of the ticket, Mourdock sees Bush as a good pick for VP.
"When you start talking about vice presidents, oftentimes it isn't so much what they can do, it's what can they bring," Mourdock said.
In addition to Florida's 27 electoral votes, Mourdock said Bush also brings an experienced "Bush organization" that's already put two family members in the White House. Daniels was budget director under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003.
But Purdue University political scientist William Shaffer cautions it's probably too early to be speculating on 2012.
"That's a long way away. Who would have thought at this point as far in advance of the 2008 election that Barack Obama would even be a candidate," Shaffer said. "The world will change presidential politics between now and then."
But should he run, Daniels' biggest problem is that he's largely unknown. Shaffer said.
"That's one of the big hurdles, obviously. If somebody jumps in, they really have to become known. You'd think a governor of a state would be, but they're not, they're really not," Shaffer said.
At the same time, Daniels' relative national anonymity could also prove to be an asset, Shaffer said.
"I think part of it reflects a weakness of the Republican Party right at this point in time. Mitch Daniels might look good to a lot of people when you also mention Sarah Palin, for example," he said.
Daniels, who in his final re-election ad vowed that "governor is the only office I've run for or ever will," left the state Saturday for a 10-day trade mission to Asia. He's hoping to secure new jobs and investments in Indiana from companies based in China and Japan.
On the one hand, that is what governors do. On the other, foreign negotiations sure look rather presidential.
I think we’re all Bushed out, too.
No.
“Sorry, Jeb, the pattern is full [of Bushes]”
UH no!
Jeb could do alot of good work behind the scenes. The best thing about Mitch is that he is a rational realist, ie not an ideologue, and not susceptible to the whims of the day (whether that be global warming, populism, or any other rotten trend). He isn't an inspiring figure, however, and reminds many folks of a corporocrat.
N.O.
The GOP has not won the White House without a Bush on the ticket since 1972.
Mitch who? The man should get some name recognition.
Why even bother any more, Obama and Co. will rule for life.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!
Which part of that don’t they understand. I am NOT voting for any amnesty promoter!
Regardless of what you and I both think of Jeb Bush, the future and (hopefully) salvation of the GOP and this country will not happen with another Bush at the helm. W pissed away any collateral in the family name. He was better than a Democrat, BFD. Thanks to him and his “leadership” of the party we have an extremely dangerous radical in the White House.
I’m pulling against this. I guess I’m Bushed.
Bush is soft on illegals.
stay out da Bushes
Unfortunately, W and the Elder have ruined it for the most qualified Bush. It will never happen.
No more Bushes.
Soft? He's downright liquid.
Daniels was director of the OMB for Bush II before becoming Governor of IN.
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