Posted on 02/13/2014 10:40:14 AM PST by thetallguy24
Its campaign season again in Texas, and, with 19 days left till the primary election day, candidates are switching into high gear to grab your attention. One particular candidate, George P. Bush who is running Texas Land Commissioner, sent many of us a large, bi-fold flyer this week describing his background and beliefs. Ironically, while the front page states that Bush believe[s] in Texas, the rhetoric he uses on the rest of the pages more appropriately declares that he believes Texas voters are uninformed drones.
Whats In A Name?
If you dont already know, George P. Bush is a member of the Bush political family. He is the son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, grandson to former President George H.W. Bush, and nephew to former President George W. Bush. Like the Kennedys, Rockefellers, and Longs, the Bush family has an extended tree of wealthy, well-connected politicians throughout the past one hundred years. George Prescott Bush doesnt attempt to hide this fact in his flyer. Rather, he affirms it as an asset because it has given him deep roots in the Republican Party. Fortunately, Americans, at least those of us after the American Revolution, are not forced to accept someones leadership based purely on their birthright. Even George P. Bushs grandmother, former First Lady Barbara Bush agrees that family dynasties arent what we need right now. Life, Guns, and Obama
The Land Commissioner is one of the most powerful officials in Texas. A separate branch of government, the Texas General Land Office has several primary responsibilities: preserving Texas history (documents, archives, historical sites like the Alamo), managing state-controller lands and mineral rights properties, protecting the Texas coastal environment, and supporting veterans through the Veterans Land Board. Mr. Bush seems oblivious to most of these facts. His flyer declares that he believes in life, the 2nd Amendment, and stopping Obamacare. While these are voter-desired characteristics of any generic, conservative, Republican candidate, they are completely immaterial to the Land Commissioners job. Instead of stating how he can make the Land Office better, he uses empty Republican rhetoric that panders to (assumed) uninformed voters.
No Child Left Behind?
The Bush family is well known for pushing an education agenda, and George P. Bush is no exception. However, he attempts to use his teaching experience to define what Texans need in their public schools.
This should be the biggest insult to Texas voters, especially concerned parents and teachers. Why? George P. Bush was a teacher for only one year and in Florida. Aside from the fact that the General Land Office has little to do with education policy (it does ensure mineral revenues sufficiently fund the Permanent School Fund), but how can Bush sell himself as an expert on education policy when his only first-hand experience was in Florida for a very brief period? He states that he learned from his teaching experience we need more accountability in Texas schools. How could he possibly know that? None of his teaching experience was in Texas. Retired and active teachers everywhere in Texas would laugh that such a greenhorn from another state would dare to impose his policies on them due to his experience. Considering what George W. Bushs No Child Left Behind did to schools, one should worry about another Bush-style education reform plan.
Smoke & Mirrors
George P. Bush touts himself as businessman, yet one of his businesses is highly suspect, especially since it may not even exist. He calls himself the founder of St. Augustine Partners LLC. Its current physical address on its one page website is listed as 604 East 4th St, Suite 201, Fort Worth, Texas. It also happens to be George P. Bushs campaign address. While there is nothing fishy about that, the real question mark arises when you visit the office. The directory shows two other businesses, Penrose Group and Rosenthal Investments residing there. Neither is owned by George P. Bush, rather by Burk and William Rosenthal. Whats the connection? According to Bushs campaign finance reports, Penrose Group has donated $2,100 worth of its office space to Bush. Wait why would Bush need Suite 201 donated to him when his own company is supposed to already be a tenant? Whats also odd is that Bush originally registered the business at his home address but changed it to Suite 201 early in the campaign, perhaps an attempt to add legitimacy to his business experience. Finally, the owners and employees of Penrose have donated $24,250, not including the in-kind office space, to Bush. Questions remain though. What is St. Augustine? Why isnt it listed in its own building? And, why is Penrose Group donating the exact same space? Why are Penrose owners and employees being so generous? With only 19 days left in the primary, those questions may go unanswered (although we would welcome an interview opportunity).
Less Than Stellar Past
George P. Bush is a young man at 37, and, while he has done admirable things (he was a Navy officer in Afghanistan), it wasnt long ago when he was in trouble with the law. In 1994, George P. Bush was found breaking and entering into an ex-girlfriends house, fleeing the scene, and then returning to damage the lawn. The ex did not file charges, but a report was filed.
Look At The Resume First
In the end, Bush is most likely running on his familys money and name. Land Commissioner is down the ballot with less recognition being given to the race by the media compared to the Lt. Governors race after all, so name ID will be a key component. But, its also safe to assume that Bush wont stay in the position long. Land Commissioner is a position often used to run for higher office. Current Lt. Governor David Dewhurst was Land Commissioner from 1999-2003, and current Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is now running for Lt. Governor. Jeb Bush is considering a run for President in 2016 and is putting a lot of effort into getting his son elected here, so to say George P. has no higher aspirations is nave. It seems Barbara Bushs words will go unheeded.
Though, like a smart business owners hiring process, voters should always examine resumes and interview several times before choosing a candidate. Texans must properly vet their candidates, or we and our government will suffer from electing candidates with ulterior motives and little experience. We need leaders whose loyalty is to the state and the office, not themselves. Frankly, George P. Bushs resume is long on rhetoric but short on substance. His past is ambiguous at best with a lot of unanswered questions, not only about his business and experiences, but also about his knowledge of the job itself. Attempting to take on massive tasks such as education reform is much better suited for a State Senator or State Board of Education member rather than a Land Commissioner. Wouldnt moving on to such tangents neglect the job at hand? But worse, his semantics assume that you, as Texans, know nothing about the office and only care about immaterial issues. That is an insult to your intelligence. You, the voter, are smarter than politicians, like George P. Bush, assume, and we want to give you the tools and information to see through the facade.
with 19 days left till the primary election day,
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Actually early voting starts in 5 days on Feb. 18 ending on Feb. 28.
I will follow the advice of Barbara Bush: “Appearing in an interview Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show, Mrs. Bush was asked how she felt about Jeb, the former governor of Florida, seeking the presidency in 2016.
Mrs. Bush replied, quote, “We’ve had enough Bushes.”
I think this sage advice fully applies to George P. Bush as well.
Actually ‘spelling police’ would be correct.
Yeah, let’s only elect Obamas from now on, right?
...naïve...
I got your MSG in a bottle...
I got this flyer and thought the same thing: What does almost any of the stuff mentioned have to do with land commissioner? Does he think I’m stupid?
What really annoys me is that “Pee” has outraised his primary opponent something like $3,000,000 to $10,000. He owns the paid media and could say anything he likes. That and name ID would otherwise be a slam dunk. He didn’t need to pander to his perception of my stupidity.
He had the unique opportunity to inform voters about why the Land Commission Office is important and why he’s the person to best steward it. Instead, he’s running virtually the same ad he’ll run after he’s done using the Land Office as a stepping stone.
jimbo123 should appreciate this.
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I’m suprised you posted this before jimbo did.
Seems he posts some 10 articles a day about P.
I’ve no opinion about P. one way or the other. But I dang sure won’t castigate the man simply because of his last name.
Bushies suck.
If you can’t tell the difference between Bush and Obama, then never mind. I’ve given up arguing with idiots, as it’s pointless.
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