Posted on 02/21/2016 6:16:39 AM PST by jimbo123
What were they thinking?
In hindsight that may be the biggest question: How did Jeb Bush and his once-savvy political team so badly misunderstand today's Republican electorate?
The bold - and, yes, high-energy - governor who transformed Florida government and politics in the 1990s was thoroughly unprepared for today's far more conservative, far more angry Republican Party than when he governed. It was absurd for thoughtful and thin-skinned Bush ever to think he could run a "joyful" campaign for president in this political environment.
He ran honorably, but as he gave in to reality Saturday night and suspended his campaign, the giant in Florida politics had become much diminished as a presidential candidate. It wasn't Donald Trump's fault and it wasn't George W. Bush's fault. Bush spent $150 million and failed to earn even a bronze third-place medal in Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina. Republicans simply weren't buying from a candidate whose time had passed.
(Excerpt) Read more at tampabay.com ...
McCain didn’t “understand” either, and neither did Romney, and on many issues neither did Bush, thus why we lost to a inept child like Obama.
The base has been SCREAMING at our inept leadership for 15+ years. And if you throw the inept HW Bush into mix, then it’s been nearly 20!!!
Now the whole freaking world hangs in the balance because of these MORONS!
Nothing more need be said.
Any one who thinks 0% Linda is the voice of the GOP deserved to be run out of town on rails.
At least we won’t have to hear this whiny brat lecture us about how intolerant and uncaring conservatives are.
Our country is circling the drain and Bush’s answer was to tell us to accept more of it.
People had enough and finally said “NO!”
You don’t know what’s going on
You’ve been away for far too long
You can’t come back and think you are still mine
You’re out of touch, my baby
My poor discarded baby
I said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Well, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
I said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
You are all left out
Out of there without a doubt
Cause baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
You thought you were a clever girl
Giving up your social whirl
But you can’t come back and be the first in line, on no
You’re obsolete my baby
My poor old-fashioned baby
I said baby, baby, baby you’re out of time
Well, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
I said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Yes, you are left out
Out of there without a doubt
Cause baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Rolling Stones - “Out Of Time”
He’s good at crony capitalism though, so he will be just fine.
Jeb probably had too long of a hiatus, between leaving office in 2007 and only coming back in 2015 or so to run. Had he been actively seeking an intermediate office, say as congressman representing his district where he was living, or even jumped in as a candidate for senator against Bill Nelson in 2012, Jeb could have sharpened up a lot of his now-rusting political skills. But of course, in Florida politics, Bill Nelson was off limits because of some “gentleman’s agreement” that the Democrats deserved “equitable” representation in the Senate.
A few years out of the job market, and people forget just how good you might have been in the past. But they remember just about every fumble you ever made.
The base has been SCREAMING at our inept leadership for 15+ years. And if you throw the inept HW Bush into mix, then its been nearly 20!!!
Now the whole freaking world hangs in the balance because of these MORONS!
I certainly don’t want to defend him but -— isn’t good at politics? He was a governor. That’s pretty good.
I’m surprised he was considered the smartest Bush at one time. I think it was probably done in jest and I didn’t pick up on it. Everyone who knew Jeb, knew he was the dumbest Bush
Jeb isn’t very good at politics?He burns though other people’s money with absolutely nothing to show for it.
I’d say that makes him a natural at politics.Only problem is,nobody votes for him.
“The base has been SCREAMING at our inept leadership for 15+ years. And if you throw the inept HW Bush into mix, then itâs been nearly 20!!!
Now the whole freaking world hangs in the balance because of these MORONS!”
They really are not stupid, you know. They are operating from a whole different set of assumptions about the nature of reality than we are.
They believe that God may not be dead, but he is indiffernt.
They believe that government is the answer to most problems.
They believe that Americans should stop reproducing, because of too high a populaiton; and that we should welcome illegal aliens to make up the lack of population growth, simultaneously.
They believe that the Constitution is a quaint document that was alright up to about a hundred years ago, but simply gums up the works in a modern world.
They believe that most people are too stupid and careless to own guns.
If you had those beliefs, you would likely act much as they do.
I don’t think I ever witnessed a more relaxed, relieved, thank God it’s over, candidate.
I really don’t think he wanted the job anyhow, the question will remain...who did.
Yup. He none of the affability and street smarts of his brother.
GW was the kind of guy people could have beer and pork rinds with.
Jeb reminded people of a cerebral college professor - the smartest guy in the room but he was never presidential caliber.
Any one who thought different was fooling themselves.
The most energy I have seen out of JEB was his speech last night - when he quit.
...or anything else.
If Jeb would have taken that last brave step and saved Terri Schiavo he would have been perceived as a hero and garnered way more support from the conservative base. Now he is relieved to exit as it should be-— no more Bush’s.
2013—mama told him not to come-—that aint the way to have fun, son. Yes it was a 3 Dog Night race last night but puppy Jeb was not one of the big dogs. Just an expensive and pampered one.
Jeb had this weird tone and posture when he was speaking on the campaign trail or debating. He always looked and sounded liked he was begging or supplicating. Shoulders slumped over, palms upward, voice pleading, etc. You would have thought that maybe someone on his team would have taken steps to correct this image of weakness but they never did.
I would never vote for Jeb but, from a political management standpoint, I wondered why he continued to look so pathetic. Maybe his long absence caused some “ring rust” as they say in boxing, but he was never able to bob and weave or throw punches. He was quickly KO’d and went down for the count.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.