A Bush Dynasty Begins to Look Real [The NYT Adam Clymer: It's Jeb in 2008]

The NY Times ^ | Adam Clymer

[summer]

Good grief! We just finished all this work to help FL Gov Jeb Bush win Election 2002! There's no rest for the weary! :)

[summer]

Jeb! Another Victory! Photo to come, Nov. 2008!

[summer]

FYI, in case you missed this:

HEY! Q: Guess who took the time to write a special thank-you note to FR posters? A: JEB BUSH!

[Aeronaut]

All your dynasties are us!

[volchef]

Jeb is awesome!!!! He's more conservative than W and is not one that compromises his principles. He said he would bring One Florida to us and he did and we're a better state for it. he's also cut taxes and held teachers and schools accountable. I can't wait to vote for him in '08

[rintense]

[The Old Hoosier]

Not a good idea, if you ask me. He'd be a great president, but people would resent crowning Jeb after George.

If he wants to be president, he should wait, get re-elected again, run for Senate in 2006 (lost of people already upset with Bill Nelson), and then go for it in 2016.

[SAJ]

Only a world-class moron (or clymer, ftm) would have Benjamin Harrison as William Henry's grandfather.

[summer]

He'd be a great president, but people would resent crowning Jeb after George.

I understand how some people, here in the GOP base, may fear that, but in all honesty, I must tell you this: to people like my Dem swing voter elderly parents, GW and Jeb are two totally different entities.
My parents enthusiastically voted for JEB! here in FL, but they are not certain at all about war with Iraq and the nation's economic future.

They like GW, but they have a cautious 'wait and see' attitude towards him. And, GW played no role at all in convincing them to cast their votes for JEB!

[Cicero]

Coming from this source, the intent of this story is mischievous. It sets people talking again about "Bush dynasties," something Bush had to live down once before during his election campaign, when Dems claimed he was the privileged son of his father who had never done anything to earn his way. As a result, Bush can seldom be seen in public with his parents. The very word "dynasty" is mischievous.

I happen to think that Jeb Bush could be even better than George W. But it will never fly. It would be too easy for the media to attack as nepotism, favoritism, etc., etc.

In any case, that's six years out. It's not yet time to talk about it--which is another reason why Clymer brings it up now.

[Common Tator]

The funniest line was Wolfie Blitzer on CNN trying to trap John McCain. I think it likely that McCain if his health holds, will try for the presidency in 2008.

They were trying to get McCain to trash Jeb and say that he opposed Jeb for 2008. McCain obviously did not want to endorse Jeb and he certainly didn't want to trash him.

So McCain named Jeb, Jeb's son and Dubya's daughters all of which he said might very well be presidential timber. McCain said, with a straight face, it was quite possible the the Bush family might very well supply the nation with outstanding presidents through the end of the 21st century.

The look of Wolfie's face was priceless.

[shrinkermd]

It is nice to see how Clymer's mind works. His newspaper was unable to predict a politicl event 8 days in the future with all of their polling and pundit expertise. Now, they believe they can predict something 8 years in the future!

Before anyone speaks of dynasties, we shoud remember that only 29,000 votes made Norm Coleman Senator from Minnesota. Less than that made Talent a Senator in Missouri and Sununu in New Hampshire. The Country is still split down the middle.

We should all be grateful to the President for his help, but circumstances and the efforts of all will be required before there are any future victories.

Getting back to Clymer's mind is hard. He gave no new views or information on anything. Basically rehashed old data in a way any child could do. I guess being a newspaper person is easier than I thought.

[summer]

Well, not to defend Adam Clymer, but I would add that many posters throughout the JEB! threads have mentioned they would like to see Gov Bush beat Senator Hillary CLinton in 2008. I think that is what will happen, though I agree with you that framing the discussion in "dynasty" lingo is irrelevant. However, I was somewhat surprised the NYT is acknowledging Gov Bush WON as opposed to "McMumble lost." Because I truly believe Gov Bush DID win.

[okie01]

"Only a world-class moron (or clymer, ftm) would have Benjamin Harrison as William Henry's grandfather."

Apparently, the fact-checker budget at the NYT has been slashed. Or, more likely, they believe Timesmen don't need them...

[spycatcher]

Do you have the screencap of the "Major League A's" baseball uniforms too? The name on the back was "BIG TIME"

[okie01]

Even the liberal Texas writer Molly Ivins, who last week called President Bush "shallow, spoiled and of mediocre intelligence," said, "I really think you would have to work at it to dislike him."

Ah, yes. The charming Miss Molly. It takes no effort whatsoever to dislike her.

And, if the President is so damn dumb, what does that make Molly and her Democrats?

[Izzy Dunne]

the undistinguished terms of Benjamin Harrison and his grandson William Henry Harrison

CLYMER ALERT!
According to the White House (not to mention my own history lessons - this ain't rocket science, boys and girls), Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd POTUS and W.H. was the 9th POTUS.
That would make the alleged grandfather-grandson relationship quoted quite near impossible.
Click on Benjamin Harrison or William Henry Harrison
As for "undistinguished", I would say that William Henry Harrison's term as POTUS has been unmatched in its brevity.

[southernnorthcarolina]

That is one flat-out excellent point you make, but I'd go even further:

It is nice to see how Clymer's mind works. His newspaper was unable to predict a political event 8 days hours in the future with all of their polling and pundit expertise. Now, they believe they can predict something 8 years in the future!

[Izzy Dunne]

He'd be a great president, but people would resent crowning Jeb after George.

Does anybody really think of it as "crowning" anymore?
Besides, It'll be Jeb Bush vs. Al Sharpton - no contest.

[habs4ever]

I 'd like to see more evidence of Jeb's temperment before thinking he is of the right stuff.Does he possess the same kind of wisdom and straightforwardness that GW has? Is he as personable? As decisive? With at least as quick a mind to simplfy complex issues? Does he have star power like his brither? Able to get a room of powerful people to bend his way? In fact, is he a leader with the same type of character as GW?

America had to wait 20 yrs for another man like Reagan to emerge in GWB, so this type don't grow on trees.