. . . he’d be on the inside track to take a new job cleaning up a big mess come January 20, 2013.
As I read this article, it struck me yet again how the former two-term Governor of Florida has everything going for him but his last name. Michael Barone calls him “the Outstanding Governor of This Decade.”
Peter Robinson finds that the former President’s kid brother (and supposed favorite of their dad) had, in his two terms as Governor,
. . . cut taxes, enacted the most extensive public school reform in any state, restructured health care and, after dealing with some three dozen hurricanes and tropical storms, earned high marks for crisis management. In a state in which Democrats outnumber Republicans, Bush held an approval rating of an astonishing 63%.
In matters of style and substance, Jeb differs significantly from his older brother. But, their last name will forever link him to a man who left the White House with an approval rating half his when he left the Sunshine State’s Governor’s Mansion.
If he can find a way to distinguish himself from his brother in the eyes of the American people, then he should be able to find a way to pull us out of the debts racked up under that brother’s watch and accelerated under his successor.
It will happen. Jeb will distinguish himself in his own right. As time pases, we will relaize that GWB was the right person at the right time (9/11).
I first came across Jeb Bush because I followed the Schiavo case. Jeb tried to change the outcome of that case, but in the end he behaved like a coward in my view, especially when he failed to do everything possible to prove that Schiavo had in fact attempted to murder his late wife (on more than one occasion – though some of the occasions amount to hearsay evidence – but then again Teri’s death sentence was based on hearsay evidence).
It will be interesting to see if Jeb Bush does make a play for the White House.
I live in Florida. Jeb was a good guy, BUT suffers from the same problem his family does. As he just stated he feels we need to leave Reagan behind. And what? Embrace compassionate conservativism? How did that work out? Larger Govt., pourous borders (Jeb is a huge open border guy-half his family is from another country), handed the Dems control of government because there was little light between Bush’s domestic policy and that of the Dems when they ran for office.
No, trust me. Jeb was a decent governor for Florida, but only that. I truly respect the Bush family for being a decent clan. They really do believe in public service, but their principles have proven faulty. Enough.
Somebody please reach into the real heartland of this nation and pull out a real farmer, rancher or businessman who understands limits and let him run the place for a while.
I do not know where to vent this, so here goes.
Did you know that when the President enters the Press Room, they play Hail to the Chief and the press stands. They never stood for George W Bush. No matter who the President is, you stand for Hail to the Chief. Shame on the press again!!!
I live in Florida. Jeb was a good guy, BUT suffers from the same problem his family does. As he just stated he feels we need to leave Reagan behind. And what?
Embrace compassionate conservatism? How did that work out? Larger Govt., porous borders (Jeb is a huge open border guy-half his family is from another country), handed the Dems control of government because there was little light between Bush’s domestic policy and that of the Dems when they ran for office.
No, trust me. Jeb was a decent governor for Florida, but only that. I truly respect the Bush family for being a decent clan. They really do believe in public service, but their principles have proven faulty. Enough.
Somebody please reach into the real heartland of this nation and pull out a real farmer, rancher or businessman who understands limits and let him run the place for a while.
RW/Fla
Jeb will never be president. Not dissing the guy, but as you said there is way too much baggage with that last name.
I am “twice bitten, twice shy.” Jeb was always my preference to GW, but that was before GW lost the veto pen for 8 years and wore his “moderate” hip boots to work. So much of our current mess is because GW sold out on letting capitalism make the corrections, let his Republican Congress pillage the treasury and put conservative principles on the back burner. GW apparently knew the Fannie/Freddie mess was roiling just below the surface, but he did not choose to force the issue.
We do not need a President who will go along to get along on issues like
cap and trade” and “card check.” We need someone who will demand that such issues be fully aired so that the citizens understand the issues.
I am discovering that Glenn Beck can do more in one hour to frame the issue on a given topic than the average President can do with all his experts in a month of Sundays.
Another Bush, another war in the Middle East.
The American voters will not vote for another Bush family member. Just won’t happen. The press has done too good a job tarishing that family. Maybe have him as Chief of Staff or some other very high level appointment, but on the ballot, no.
Where is our dark horse?
Stand back! I’m gonna’ blow! This from the news today:
The National Council for a New America (which includes Bush and Eric Cantor) is going on a listening to America tour? Are they nuts? That is the core job of a stinking representative. And why would they send John McCain who is one degree of separation from Arlen Specter out at this late date to find out what America thinks?
Barbour, Jindal, and Palin have a pretty good feel for the common man. But, if they are going out to listen to the Obama supporters and try to feed them from the entitlement buffet, they are certainly bent on recasting the party.
This “listening” tour stuff is as phony as when Tom Brokaw stops at a rest area on the New Jersey turnpike and mingles with the common man.
The grass roots is sending Washington a clear message through the tea parties and it does not take a national tour to try to figure out what they are saying. However, it does take a politician or useful idiot to distort the message or pretend the tea parties are a manifestation of Fox News and made up of sore losers.
Of the names associated with NCNA, it is Haley Barbour who can nail Obama in 2012 with a “there you go again” shot between the eyes. Barbour has the comfort of speaking skills honed over many years on conservative views that come from the heart. Jindal will be tarred and feathered with his “Intelligent Design” history and marginalized as a kook. For all his other strengths, Romney can not get the sincerity needle to rise even a little bit when he gives a speech. I expect the Democrats to have thoroughly destroyed Palin by 2012. I can not imagine any resurrection for the Bush name with the general populace. Nor do I think Republicans should encourage another Bush.
As a proud Texan, I salute the Bushes for taking up the mantle of public service through three generations. However, that’s about it for me.
Bush ’41 said “read my lips,” but Congress went ahead and reneged on their promise to not raise taxes, and Bush didn’t veto the budget. Then you had the DNC MSM trumpeting the lie that he really did raise taxes himself (no mention of Congress), and supporting some hickweed from Arkansas as the “Comeback Kid.”
Bush ’43 did keep us safe since 9/11, but lost control of his veto pen in 2005, which also led to his loss of control of Congress in 2006.
Jeb would be better off as a VP on a GOP ticket or even as a Cabinet member in a Jindal/Palin/Romney administration.
Regards,
Peter H.
PS – How come all the liberals who decry a “Bush dynasty” don’t say squat about the Kennedys? Just asking.
Gosh, I’d hate to be put in a position of choosing between MittRomney or JebBush in a 2012 GOP primary. Both would be stellar patriotic candidates; both would help restore the GOP to primacy and power.
But in that contest, it’d be MittRomney all the way for me. He deserves the nod in 2012 for his classy, prudent politics in the lead up to the McCain nomination.
Bush vs. Obama 2012, Obama wins easily. Especially with Biden retiring and Hillary as VP. How old will Hill be in 2016?
Palin is what the libs fear most. We know they don’t fear God. Palin/Jindal, new faces, new leadership and reverse the Obama slaughter of America.
Playing Hail to the Chief should be dropped except on more dignified and important occasions than routine press conferences. This guy’s ego is big enough as it is. And I don’t agree with the protocol that requires standing when the president enters. I know it’s to show respect to the office, but it’s just too much. We’ve made a King out of what is supposed to be just another equal branch of the government. Standing for presidents who don’t respect the founding principles of this country is foolish pandering.
Jeb is the reverse of his clan.
Jeb talks lib, like this “forget Reagan” trash, but he governed right.
I was in FL during his reign, it was awesome.
Low taxes, school vouchers, blow the brains out of bad guys right on the street if they were a threat.
You could get up, go out in your garage, grab some tools, and go make a decent wage.
It was the heaven of the small businessman, and the government encroachment was almost nothing.
Those days are going away now, and it’s too bad.
I don’t think he will make the cut for Prez, he may be moving to the left, and that’s too bad as well.
It will happen. Jeb will distinguish himself in his own right. As time pases, we will relaize that GWB was the right person at the right time (9/11).
It just blows me away that it never seems to occur to conservative even for a split second that 9-11 might have happened because George Bush was in office. If you hired someone to be in charge of security at a warehouse, and nine months later the warehouse was robbed and burned down because this person spent all his time playing golf and vacationing, how long would it take for you to realize that you hired the right person at the right time?
#16 – “It just blows me away that it never seems to occur to conservative [sic] even for a split second that 9-11 might have happened because George Bush was in office.”
Really? How so, young scholar? Please enlighten us.
I dare you.
Regards,
Peter H.
#16: It blows me away that liberals have the unmitigated gall to blame Bush for 9/11 when they are categorically, ballistically, ignorantly, and unequivocally opposed to every single security measure it would have required to prevent 9/11…EVEN AFTER 9/11. So, Levi, don’t leave us hangin’. Thrill us with your crystal-clear 20/20 hindsight and tell us all exactly how Bush could have prevented 9/11 from occurring. How about a federal law requiring every male born in the Middle East between the ages of 17 and 40 having to undergo an extensive FBI background check before receiving clearance to fly on a commercial jet? Or, how about a nationwide, draconian, house-to-house, heavily armed man-hunt to capture any Middle Eastern male between the ages of 17 and 40 who is in the US even one split second past the expiration of his “student” visa? How about a federal law banning student visas altogether for Middle Eastern males between the ages of 17 and 40? Or how about we drop a daisy cutter on every single suspicious congregation of Middle Eastern males and tents that turns up on any satellite photo of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, etc., “just to be safe?” You liberal IDIOTS freak out if we detain terrorists WE CAUGHT ON THE BATTLEFIELD. Are you really going to embarrass yourself by pretending that you would have supported a single thing Bush might have done to prevent terrorism BEFORE those jets took down the Twin Towers, plowed through the Pentagon, and murdered 3000 Americans? Seriously, Levi, this I gotta see…
Really? How so, young scholar? Please enlighten us.
I dare you.
Well Jesus, look at the guy’s track record. He was a failure in personal life that relied exclusively on family connections for success in his political life, and as President, he failed at every single thing he tried to do. Immigration reform, education reform, social security reform, the war in Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, he couldn’t prevent an international financial crisis with its roots in the United States, and on and on. This is what’s known as a pattern. Bush either ignored problems or made them worse. Nobody talks about what Bush was doing before 9-11 to address terrorism, because he was doing nothing. He wasn’t fixing the problems in the system, he wasn’t on top of the terrorism threat, he was hanging out at the ranch, he was brushing aside memos that crossed his desk warning of an impending threat. You know that look on his face when his buddy whispers into his ear that the country is under attack? I’ve seen that face before. I’ve made that face before. That’s the I-forgot-to-study-for-this-test face.
You morons tried to get all over Obama during last month’s pirate-hostage situation, this blog is now apparently going to blame him personally for all ensuing war casualties, but did Bush ever have to answer charges that he was asleep at the wheel? Of course not. Obedient cult members never point out that the emperor has no clothes.
#20: “Nobody talks about what Bush was doing before 9-11 to address terrorism, because he was doing nothing.”
Levi, we’re all still waiting with baited breath to hear what YOU THINK Bush should have been doing to combat terrorism before 9/11. And no cheating! Your answer must be: (1) specific security measures he should have implemented prior to 9/11, and (2) measures that would NOT have compelled you to demand that he be tried and executed for war crimes (as you and your ilk did in response to every security measure he implemented AFTER 9/11). Tick…tock…tick…tock…
Dubya had a veto pen?!? Surely you jest, heliotrope! /sarc
Sorry, but no more Bushes. Americans have little tolerance for long-lasting dynasties in the WH anyways.
#20 – “He was a failure in personal life that relied exclusively on family connections for success in his political life, and as President, he failed at every single thing he tried to do.”
By that standard, Dear Teleprompter should have an approval rating in the single digits, just like Congress.
For starters, GWB was and is a successful businessman, including owning the Texas Rangers baseball franchise. He was also my state’s chief executive who was elected to two consecutive terms with little to no opposition – even trouncing then-liberal icon Ann Richards.
And if you call keeping us safe since 9/11 a “failure,” then you really have your sights set high for The Snob and his merry band of tax cheats.
Try again.
Regards,
Peter H.
John, I stated that GW LOST the veto pen for 8 years. Translation: He did not use the veto pen.
He had a bizillion and two chances to use it and he did not. He had a bizillion and two times he should have used it and he did not. He had a bizillion and two obligations to use it and he passed it by.
helio floats in: “He (W) had a bizillion and two chances to use it and he did not. He had a bizillion and two times he should have used it and he did not. He had a bizillion and two obligations to use it and he passed it by.”
I guess the farRight has about as much anti-Bush hatred in them as the farLeft these days… can we leave W alone for a few years without the farRight and farLeft daily bashing of W? I mean, helio, TeddyKennedy lives and he’d be great fodder for your hate-cannon. Let the historians sort of W’s failings –the guy has taken enough roundhouses to the chin these 1st 100 days to last lesser men a lifetime.
Give him a break. Let it rest, already.
So why didn’t he look for it in the First Lady’s Study? Isn’t that where all important stuff are eventually found, a la the Rose Firm documents from the Clinton Era? 😉
Don’t confuse legit criticism and needling for BDS. If I hated Bush I wouldn’t have voted for him twice. Of course, if I had had a better choice I wouldn’t have voted for him at all but then I could say that about all the choices I’ve had since 1988…
And if you call keeping us safe since 9/11 a “failure,†then you really have your sights set high for The Snob and his merry band of tax cheats.
What is it with you people? Why is always ‘since 9/11?’ Why does the clock start ticking after he presides over the biggest terrorist attack in the history of the world?
And no, he hasn’t ‘kept us safe.’ Our economy is in the toilet and Bush spent five years smashing our military into our wall. We’re not as prepared to deal with threats around the world and our most valuable strength, our wealth, has been threatened if not compromised. He’s done more to hurt this country than anything in recent memory.
1: Gimmee a break. This guy, and his cronies, were napping (or vacationing) at the switch when this happened. After the World Trade Center was first attacked, wasn’t Clinton responsible for the same thing? Under his watch as president I seem to recall terrorists stopped at the border with electronic parts for bombs just prior to the millenium. Did Bush & Co catch the guy who ran AlQueda? Nope. In an effort to hide his flaccid leadership, he took us to war in a different country to distract everyone. Also, as I recall, it was Clinton who gave the order in the spring of 94 to launch the attack against Saddam Huessin in retaliation for the plot on Bush I’s life.
20: Amen! He only succeeded in being elected Governor of TX only after his family spent a lot of money to surround him with political operatives.
12: If you did read Bush I’s lips you would have noticed he said “no new taxes”; not one word said about not raising existing taxes – talk about weasel words.
If you had a security officer who knew who was going to rob and burn down said warehouse, but decided to bang an intern under the desk instead, why would you excuse that? The previous security officer had multiple opportunities to stop or kill the offender, but couldn’t be bothered but brain dead a-holes still suck his balls.
WTF do you care? Your beloved messiah is planning on releasing 30 Ughars (sp?), captured at Tora Bora, on US soil. Not only that, WE’RE going to have to pay for their welfare.
I seem to recall he shamelessly took credit for that too. Under his watch, I seem to recall a Ryder truck packed with explosives parked in the parking garage of the WTC. I seem to recall the 9/11 terrorists were already HERE before Bush was elected.
Did lord BJ take bin Laden into custody when he had the chance? Nope. Did lord BJ authorize the CIA to kill bin Laden when they had him in their sights on more than one occasion? Nope. Did Lord BJ apprehend Khaleid Sheikh Mohammed? Nope.
Ummm…..what did BJ do to prevent terrorist attacks on the US? I mean, besides poking Chris Wallace.
Did lord BJ take bin Laden into custody when he had the chance? Nope. Did lord BJ authorize the CIA to kill bin Laden when they had him in their sights on more than one occasion? Nope. Did Lord BJ apprehend Khaleid Sheikh Mohammed? Nope.
That’s a bunch of horsesh*t invented by the Republican propaganda apparatus out of thin air. Bush actually had a chance to catch the guy after he’d attacked us, but he wanted to take a detour through Iraq. I fully expect you droogs to start blaming Obama for not ‘catching the guy that attacked us on 9-11’ any minute, by the way. You’re a predictable bunch with all of your feigned outrage and overblown hysteria, don’t you know.
Oh,
As I recall, Hussein had tried again to invade Kuwait in October.
When did BJ become the Republican propaganda apparatus?
If there’s any horseshit ’round here, buddy, it’s you.
I have my sights on Congressman Paul Ryan. Young, hunky, and very smart.
Fox News Sunday 1 October 2006
#27: “Bush spent five years smashing our military into our wall. We’re not as prepared to deal with threats around the world”
Well, Levi, it’s clear you can’t come up with an answer to my question at #21, so I have another little quiz for you (and I would REALLY love to hear your answer, but I have grave doubts you can provide one). Please give us: (1) ONE example of what you sincerely consider a “threat around the world;” (2) to which you would commit US military troops to neutralize. And, again, no cheating! The “threat of climate change” will not be accepted as a valid answer. Tick…tock…tick…tock…
Wow! I criticize GW for not vetoing pork and other wasteful spending and moderate Michigan Matt calls me a far-right hater.
I get it. Apparently moderates will have no disagreements over principle. I guess they just bend over in all directions with a smile and a wave.
Levi – the US isn’t a warehouse and Bush wasn’t the night watchman. These threats were building for years (yes, history began before you were born). Does 1993 ring a bell? The USS Cole? Marine barracks in Beirut? The Achille Lauro? Pan Am 103? The US Embassy in Tehran? Munich?
As far as Jeb – no way. I’m sure he’s a decent guy but his open-borders views are are a show-stopper for me.
BTW someone got it wrong about Jeb Bush, at least I thought he was talking about Jeb and claimed that he was governor of Texas. That is not correct – GWB was governor of Texas. Jeb was governor of Florida. From an outsider point of view, I thought he showed some weaknesses that would not make him a good candidate for the White House – that is just my opinion though.
helio offers: “Wow! I criticize GW for not vetoing pork and other wasteful spending and moderate Michigan Matt calls me a far-right hater.” I guess fake outrage in the flavor of the day, eh?
helio, I didn’t use the rhetorical trick of bizilllion stated multiple times; you did… I simply offered that the soc-cons and farRight types need to leave Bush alone for a while and let the real scholars and historians sort out his legacy… and, to add to that, maybe farRight conservatives like you need to remember that your soulmates and pals in Congress (DeLay et al) gave us those budgets and pork and spending… and ruined the GOP brand in the process… thank you, very much.
Last time I checked, God-on-High Ronnie Reagan didn’t get the line item veto reform enacted, no? Congressional conservative majorities are to blame for all that pork and earmarking.
I gotta ask, are you channeling ILC’s spirit these days?
From the clips, interviews, etc. I have looked at so far, Haley Barbour is the only one I’m inclined to work for out of this crop. He’s got experience and expresses himself with some subtlety. He’s got a conservative record so he doesn’t have to get into some strident BS religious posturing. He also has a natural tendency to accentuate the positive and knows how to intelligently defuse provocation from other people. Many of the other GOP offerings have an unsettling, competitive stridency about them and their “humor” when attempted has a nasty quality. I also notice that Barbour doesn’t use the term “liberal” and “liberalism” for the left but uses the appropriate term. And he would be perceived as strong on defense without having to make a bunch of tough talk. I noticed that he just inaugurated a new slogan for MS as the “Birthplace of America’s Music”— a stroke of genius IMO. Just a couple of cents from an independent conservative.