Posted on 03/24/2005 10:10:41 PM PST by Former Military Chick
WASHINGTON, March 24 - Gov. Jeb Bush's last-minute intervention in the case of Terri Schiavo, even after the president had ended his own effort to keep her alive, may have so far failed in a legal sense, but it has cemented the religious and social conservative credentials of a man whose political pedigree is huge and whose political future remains a subject of intense speculation.
On one level, the Florida governor's emergence as the most prominent politician still fighting, despite a string of court and legislative defeats, to have a feeding tube reinserted in Ms. Schiavo was very much in keeping with someone who has repeatedly declared a deep religious faith.
Several associates noted that he had been devoutly religious longer than President Bush, and even critics said his efforts - prodding the Florida Legislature and the courts and defying much of the electorate - were rooted in a deep-seated opposition to abortion and euthanasia rather than in political positioning.
Yet inevitably, the events of recent days have fed the mystique of Mr. Bush as a reluctant inheritor of perhaps America's most famous dynasty since the Adams family two centuries ago.
He has assumed a very high profile in this polarizing case just as Republicans are contemplating the void that will be left when President Bush begins his walk off the stage in two years or so. At a time when many of the most frequently mentioned possibilities to lead the party are moderates like John McCain and Rudolph W. Giuliani, the governor now certainly has a place, if he wants it, as a prime contender in what is shaping up as a fight to represent a conservative wing that has proved increasingly dominant.
"He has strongly identified himself with the Christian conservative movement," said Matthew Corrigan, a political science professor at the University of North Florida. "If the Republican Party is looking for someone with good ties with the Christian conservative movement, he is the one who is going to have them."
Mr. Bush is barred by term limits from seeking a third term in 2006, and associates say they cannot imagine his running for a third term even if he were permitted to do so. Further, he has said he will not run for the presidency in 2008, an assertion that all but a few associates say they accept, though some Republicans think he may well run in 2012 or 2016.
"He's got no - as far as I know, and I really believe him - he's got no future political ambitions," said Cory Tilley, a longtime adviser. "And even if he did, he would be doing exactly what he is doing now. This is very clearly an issue that strikes at his core beliefs."
Susan McManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida, said: "He is a very ideologically consistent person. He made no bones about that from the first day he ran for office. Those of us who watch him think this is Jeb, and how he truly believes and what he truly believes, and this may be one of those instances where he's putting politics aside."
Still, several Republicans said that while Mr. Bush might be ignoring any political calculations in a case that has etched grief on his face, it would be foolish to underestimate the political skills of someone who has managed to win two elections to lead one of the nation's most divided states. His decision to continue the Schiavo battle on his own, within hours after the White House had effectively withdrawn, followed a letter in which Bill Frist, the Senate Republican leader, urged that he make sure the Florida Legislature acted "expeditiously on Terri's behalf."
Dr. Frist is arguably the other most prominent Republican seeking to inherit the president's mantle as leader of the party's conservative wing. But Mike Murphy, a close adviser to the governor, disputes the notion of any rivalry between the two men, especially in regard to the Schiavo case.
"I don't think it's a competition at all: Jeb's the guy on the spot," Mr. Murphy said. "He's the governor of the state."
Some Democrats were skeptical, however.
"This is less about Terri Schiavo and more about shoring up the Republican base, and that's a shame," said Scott Maddox, who is departing as chairman of the Florida Democratic Party and is a potential candidate for governor. "Politics has to be in play here."
At times this week, it almost seemed as if the Bush brothers were working in tandem; the governor's decision to re-enter the case once the White House had dropped it in the face of repeated judicial rebuffs may have saved the president criticism from the right. (Paradoxically, the governor himself was pummeled Thursday by some conservative activists, who demanded that he have state authorities physically seize custody of Ms. Schiavo and reinsert the tube.)
That would not be the first time the governor has come to the aid of his brother. But it is also not the first time he has intervened in the Schiavo case. In 2003, after a court ordered the tube removed, he and the Legislature enacted a law that empowered him to order it reinserted. That measure was later overturned in another judicial decision.
"Jeb Bush is not doing this for political reasons, in my opinion," said Jim Kane, chief pollster for Florida Voter, a nonpartisan polling organization. "Jeb Bush is smart enough to know that he is not going to gain anything from this, and he's probably going to lose something."
Pressing the issue could prove particularly problematic in a state like Florida, with a heavy population of elderly voters, who analysts say are more likely to recoil at government intervention in such a case.
In any event, some of Mr. Bush's associates suggest that for all the intensity stirred by the Schiavo case now, it will ultimately fade.
"Issues have a way of coming and going," Mr. Tilley said. "This one is a very deep one. But it seems like other ones always come up, especially here in Florida."
It sounds like you put your hope in an effort that failed, and you're disappointed.
I can see being frustrated with the court. I just don't understand all the anger at Jeb Bush. I think if I were him, I'd throw up my hands and tell you all you're on your own. People don't appreciate a single thing he's done.
Ron Paul or Gary Johnson, but I won't hold my breath for either to show up on my ballot. Lemme go find a list of the leading contenders and I'll get back to you in a little bit with my 1st choice.
I haven't heard anything.
I don't think many of these people are trolls. I just think they're looking for someone to blame, kind of like a kid when he's disappointed and feeling powerless...so they blame "Daddy".
The people reelected Greer (and GOD only knows why!),who has already said that he'll throw Jeb in jail; as well as everyone else. The people of Florida have one and only recourse at this point and that id to impeach Greer.
He went too far and he can and should be punished.
Hey, if Jeb had to go to jail, that might be a great photo-op. It did wonders for Martin Luther King.
Because Jeb won't exercise independent executive power.
His police force is still being run by out-of-control judges while the governor is reduced to the role of beggar.
Hhmmmmmmm... in some respects I like Paul, but he is too much of an isolationist for my tastes. Never heard of the other guy..
re: no idea how powerful Greer is
Me too! I am wondering if he really is this powerful or is it that someone in Tallahassee blinked. We need to find out because if someone as far down the pecking order in the judicial branch has that much power we are in for a rough ride unless we find a way to cut them down to size.
re: no idea how powerful Greer is
Me too! I am wondering if he really is this powerful or is it that someone in Tallahassee blinked. We need to find out because if someone as far down the pecking order in the judicial branch has that much power we are in for a rough ride unless we find a way to cut them down to size.
I'd like that.
I think if that scenario were possible, Jeb would do it - but, even if he could get her out into state protection - the law allows that only for about 3 days...that is not enough time to get her stabilized enough to run any tests - particularly and MRI - as I understand, michael had some kind of mechanism implanted in her head years ago that would prohibit an MRI - they would have to come out first - Terri isn't strong enough for that right away.
So, Jeb gets her out, starts the feeding again - only to have her slammed back in the hospice in a few days and start the starvation all over again. that would be multiple barbarism.
and then we wouldn't have Jeb around to do anything, for half the people on this sight would have already hung from the first tree for causing her so much extra pain
if you're making a reference to the Elian G case - they had a f*iggin COURT ORDER - get it? What do you think Jeb and Pres. Bush have been trying to do
"I believe this gal may be the victim of a crime, or crimes, and on my authority, I'm going to put her into protective custody until she gets the medical examination she deserves. I am the Governor and occupy a co-equal branch of the state government. No corrupt court will dictate to me, as I have an equal authority to interpret the laws and to enforce them. If the legislature wants to impeach me, let them try!"
- he would have cemented his credentials as a protector of the right to life.
We'll just have to wait and see what he does.
What specifically is so great about them?
Gary Johnson was the former governor of New Mexico before Bill Richardson. Anyhow, I think I have my answer, which is who I thought I'd get back to anyhow, but I wanted to quickly scan a few things to make sure nothing jumped out at me that I might be unaware of. I still don't know enough to be certain, but at this early stage I lean toward Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina. I've been waiting to hear more, assuming that he runs. I also like Governor Bill Owens of Colorado. Neither is a perfect match for me, but better than the others so far as I can tell.
Yes, they reelected Greer, I bet they want that one back.
Whitemore, the SCOFLA and the SCOTUS are all unelected, unaccountable tyrants.
the system is designed like so:
/ Legistlative / Executive / Judical /
If you cross the line from any side, you are in the wrong.
The only recourse we, the voters, in florida have to vote these judges is out. I will glad can every single one of those robe wearing bastards Unfortunately, short of Michael Schiavos' murder confession (THE MAN SHOULD BE THROWN IN A PLASTIC SHREDDER) or someone running into the hospice and literally kidnapping Terri Schiavo so they can feed her, her legal options are few at this point.
Remember, the ends never justify the means. When you use the enemies tactics, you become the enemy.
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