Posted on 06/02/2006 8:01:07 PM PDT by FairOpinion
IF ONLY HIS LAST NAME WERE SMITH. He'd not only attract national attention as the popular and successful governor of a difficult-to-govern state. He'd be viewed sympathetically as a leader who had dealt with family issues--his wife's aversion to politics, his daughter's bouts with drug addiction--without losing his grip on the governorship. And he'd be the prohibitive frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.
But his last name is Bush. So Jeb Bush, nearing the end of his eight years as governor of Florida, has to settle for being the best governor in America. Not proclaimed the best governor by the media and the political community. But recognized as the best by a smaller group: governors who served with him and experts and think-tank and conservative policy wonks who regard state government as something other than a machine for taxing and spending.
Why is Jeb Bush the best? It's very simple. His record is the best. No other governor, Republican or Democrat, comes close. Donna Arduin, perhaps the most respected state budget expert in the country, has worked for four big-state Republican governors--John Engler of Michigan, George Pataki of New York, Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, and Bush. Even while she worked for Schwarzenegger, she told me Bush is "absolutely" the nation's premier governor. "He's principled, brilliant, willing to ignore his pollsters, and say no to his friends," she says.
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
I bet he can beat Hillary too.
I don't want a dynasty.
I want a conservative.
Bush fatigue will deny him the job. I think that he would have done a better job than his brother though...
Well, do you like Hillary or McCain?
That's whom you are going to get, unless Jeb gets serious and runs for president.
I give you George Allen.
Some of us still remember Terry Schiavo, when Bush did a magnificent job of waffling. . .
I wonder what a President Jeb Bush Presidency would have looked liked the last 6 years. If he had not got beat in Florida the first time he ran for Gov he most likely would have been the Bush to run in 2000
And I thought the immigration crowd was obsessed.
Remember when we use to reward and herald greatness in this country? I'll leave it at that.
Interesting, Word is that Murphy is jumping back on board with Romney (after quiting this early this year) for 08? More buzz that the Bush's support Romney and possible Romney/Bush ticket?
I would not count him out.
The Bush family is very well bred.
If Al Gore runs...oh, wouldn't that be fun!
Jeb did everything in his power and some to try to rescue Terri.
Put the blame where it belongs, on her evil husband, Judge Greer and the FL Legislature, in that order, and the last judge, whose name I dont' remember, who ignored the US Congress.
Well, hillary is running and they have already been in the WH... I guess that would be a moot point. actually hillary has
already been in the WH Jeb hasn't
Don't blame President Bush for the Dems smearing him.
President Bush has been the greatest president anyone could be given the multiple crises he has had to face and is still facing.
I thought he did A LOT for her, more than MOST if not all politicians would have done.
---And it only took six replies for someone to start b*tching about Terri Schiavo.
And I thought the immigration crowd was obsessed.---
Anyone that voices any complaint about a Bush is evidently "obsessed".
W tainted the name? hmmm
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