Jeb, the Unluckiest Bush

Politico ^ | 2/21/16 | MATT LATIMER

[jimbo123]

I'm feeling bad for Jeb Bush. I've never been a supporter of a third Bush presidency-having endured the highs and lows of the second up close-but I can't help but think about this coming Easter or Thanksgiving, or the next event when the whole Bush family is gathered around in one place.

The Bushes may come across as kindly, low-key aristocrats. But have no doubt: They are ruthless competitors. When I worked for President George W. Bush, he was racing Karl Rove to see who could read the most books in a calendar year. His father used to challenge people to games of horseshoes and speed golf. They are Trumpian in that way; winning matters in that family. A lot.

So how exactly does Jeb Bush look at a father who succeeded to the highest levels of power, whose approval is so obviously crucial to his psyche ("my dad is probably the most perfect man alive"), and not feel like he was the son who failed him?

How does he turn to George W., his perennially underestimated older brother-the so-called "dumb one"-who pulled off the same feat as their dad, and not feel the lesser man?

How does he cope with the fact that his failed campaign, for which his family's hopes were so high, marked instead the end of their long dominance of the machinery of the Republican Party?

[DoughtyOne]

[Liz]

I don/t think Jeb has it in him to clash w/ the senior Bushes.

But he might remind them about the numerous times he heard the elders bashing, demeaning and deploring Republican conservatives.

Which made Jeb say he didn/t need us to win......the death knell of his ambitions.

[Liz]

I don/t think Jeb has it in him to clash w/ the senior Bushes.

But he might remind them about the numerous times he heard the elders bashing, demeaning and deploring Republican conservatives.

Which made Jeb say he didn/t need us to win......the death knell of his ambitions.