Governor in Chief. Jeb Bush's remarkable eight years of achievement in Florida.

Weekly Standard ^ | June 12, 2006 | Fred Barnes

[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.

[Texasforever]

which brings up another great critique of Jeb: the proliferation of porn shops and strip joints, with their two story neon signs.

So what should Bush have done about this?

[the invisib1e hand]

You sound very defensive.

So you say. If it is so, it's only because I didn't go on the offensive in the interest of keeping to the rules of posting etiquette. In other words, I refrained from actually using the word "imbecil."

[Texasforever]

So you say. If it is so, it's only because I didn't go on the offensive in the interest of keeping to the rules of posting etiquette. In other words, I refrained from actually using the word "imbecil."

Well wer'e even. I have resised calling you a dried up "church lady".

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

PS: That said, I believe that history will be very favorable to GW (as long as it is not skewed by the foaming-at-the-mouth liberal academia).

[the invisib1e hand]

So what should Bush have done about this?

No, that's not the question to ask. The question to ask is, "what did Jeb Bush do about this? Anything? And if not, why not?"

[danamco]

Everything except stop the perversion of the legal system employed to kill the most innocent and helpless. Please warn us with a "Rubber Boots Needed" alert next time.



We prayed, we e-mailed, we telephoned, we faxed, we yelled, and much more trying to save her life!
We still believe that the Governor's hand was binded by the judicial system, unfortunately!!
But tell us instead honestly: "What did YOU do to stop the perversion, maybe instead of sitting cozy at your keyboard commando center"???
Please!!!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Unfortunately, the Bush family has gotten to the point that they no longer can relate to us regular folks.

What politician does?

[Texasforever]

The question to ask is, "what did Jeb Bush do about this?

LOL

[the invisib1e hand]

I have resised calling you a dried up "church lady".

Oh, that hurt! :)

You'd feel right at home there, I guess.

[CindyDawg]

True, but who makes these laws? Who can get them changed? I'm not saying he wouldn't be a good president. He would try.
A little activism , is good for everyone now and then though. Even governors:')

[the invisib1e hand]

But tell us instead honestly: "What did YOU do to stop the perversion, maybe instead of sitting cozy at your keyboard commando center"??? Please!!!

I was not the governor. Pontius Pilate "tried" to release Jesus, too, now that I think about it...

[Texasforever]

You'd feel right at home there, I guess.

See that's where we are different. I don't cruise the streets of Houston looking for dens of iniquity. That appears to be your hobby.

[the invisib1e hand]

He didn't have the stones...

When it's all said and done, he really was a "go along, get along" type. At least, it sure looked that way.

[Echo Talon]

which brings up another great critique of Jeb: the proliferation of porn shops and strip joints, with their two story neon signs.

Thats not jeb! I went to FL(I have only been there one time) in 1994 or 1995 and XXX clubs and signs were everywhere! Orlando especially. I was all over the state from Jacksonville , Vero, Orlando, Fort Myers, Miami all by truck.

[Echo Talon]

Who can get them changed?

State legislators.

[CindyDawg]

Hey now. History will show that our governor was a great war president and loved his neighbors. He's going to be a hard act for the brainy little brother to follow.

[FlJoePa]

"I lived there 20 years, too. Jeb was invisible..."

Huh? Wha? Um...I can't turn on the local morning news and not hear his name. He's "invisible"....right. You have television out there in the swamp? If so, TURN IT ON.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Unfortunately, the Bush family has gotten to the point that they no longer can relate to us regular folks.

What politician does?

[COEXERJ145]

Oh yes, compare Terri Schiavo to Jesus Christ.

And you wonder why 90% of the country thought Schiavo supporters were nuts.

[the invisib1e hand]

I don't cruise the streets of Houston looking for dens of iniquity. That appears to be your hobby.

Another comeback worthy of a poorly tempered elementary school student.

Just to set the record straight, I'll repeat: you don't go looking for them. They are everywhere.

But don't let the facts dissuade you from your habit of denial. Vote for him if you wish, it will not matter anyway.

I pity your plunge into irrelevance and emasculated "citizenhood." Pity that you set that type of example to any who might be under your influence. Makes the job bigger for the rest of us.

Goodbye.