There’s been talk the past few
days that Jeb Bush is preparing to run for president in 2016. I’ve always liked Jeb Bush . . . and I
think him getting the Republican nomination for President would be a disaster.
To be clear, my prophetic opinion
has nothing to do with his personal qualities. I mean it when I say I like him. But Jeb Bush is an establishment man and is, well, a
Bush. And the combination makes
him unelectable.
The Republican Party has put
forth two establishment men against Obama. That hasn’t worked out too well. And I know more than a few tea party/libertarian types
stayed home and did not vote this year in spite of their antipathy toward
Obama. Too much of what should be
the Republican base will not be able to stomach yet another establishment
Republican candidate in 2016 and will not help him when the Democrat candidate
will surely not be as noxious as Obama.
And establishment Republican candidates hardly excite anyone beyond sure
Republican voters anyway. The
lackluster turn out for Romney, who to his credit was a good campaigner, proves
that.
And another Bush? Does anyone in their right mind think
this country is ready for another Bush?
Not only is another Bush unelectable, that would be begging for a third
Tea Party. I know first hand that
many tea party types detest W about as much as Obama. (For the record, I
disagree with that sentiment. I’m
only reporting what I have observed.)
Most tea party people have been good team players in 2010 and 2012. But put another Bush in front of them,
and they will want him defeated along with the Democrat. There will instantly be a strong third
party then that will make Jeb Bush that much more unelectable and hand that election
and perhaps more to the Democrats.
By the way, Jeb Bush vs. Hillary Clinton? Bush vs. Clinton again? A third party
would have a field day with that match-up.
So as much as I like and respect
Jeb Bush, I sincerely hope he does not run for President.
And that is a bit unfair, because
I think he could be the best president since Reagan. But life isn’t fair, especially political life. Being the son of a Bush ain’t what it
used to be.
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