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Posted on 01/05/2005 6:30:05 AM PST by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has emphatically ruled out a 2008 bid to replace his brother in the White House, but his profile-raising tour of tsunami-wrecked countries has rekindled talk of a third Bush presidency.
Florida political experts and Bush family friends said they take the governor at his word - "I'm not going to run for president in 2008," Bush pledged in October - but believe the 51-year-old Bush is leaving his options open for a White House bid in 2012 or beyond.
"He's never ruled it out, and he's a young man," said Charlie Black, political adviser to former President George H.W. Bush, the governor's father.
Jeb Bush's trip with Secretary of State Colin Powell to Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka seems tailor-made for a White House aspirant looking to pad his resume. Traveling with a press secretary and two security guards, Bush is getting equal billing at news conferences with Powell, the pair standing side-by-side at podiums or in trio with a foreign leader.
Powell typically refers to Bush in the first sentence or two of any public remarks, saying "we" are doing this and "we" will do that. Bush seems to take his cues from Powell - they even dress alike, wearing khakis and open-necked shirts.
The governor is deferential to Powell, calling him "the secretary" and, so far, limiting his remarks to how his experience with Florida's heavy hurricane season may be relevant. He acknowledged, however, that the damage from four hurricanes last fall paled in comparison to the devastation from the tsunami's wrath.
"We had nothing compared to that. We had loss of property, disruption of daily life, loss of electricity, lack of water that lasted for days, in some cases weeks," Bush said Tuesday at a Bangkok air base. "But when you have 150,000 people died over 11 countries, that's something that goes way beyond what anybody experienced in our own country."
Bush's showed an empathetic touch during the hurricanes, increasing his popularity in Florida. Now, he has a chance to raise his national profile.
"He's dealing with foreign leaders and an international crisis, so I think it will stick in people's minds that he is a serious international player - if he wants to be," Black said.
Shortly before his brother won a second term, the governor said he would finish his second term in January 2007, "and then I'll go back to Miami and I'll figure out what I'm going to do. But it isn't going to be running for president, I promise."
When a reporter asked whether he could change his mind, Bush replied, "No! Why am I not believable on this subject? It's driving me nuts."
If so, it might make him crazy to know that some are still speculating about a presidential race in 2008. "People can change their minds," said Matt Corrigan, a University of North Florida political science professor.
Corrigan said two prominent Republicans considering 2008 campaigns, Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, "are fairly moderate choices in a conservative party. Who's going to be the conservative alternative? Obviously, Gov. Bush is a prominent name in that category."
But other political experts said the country won't be in the mood for another President Bush immediately after eight years of George W.
"I could see him running, but not in the near term," said David Niven, a political science professor at Florida Atlantic University. "I think he has to worry about Bush fatigue. He's young enough to sit out a few races and come back, just like his brother came back after there was a sense that the first Bush was all right, and the grievances had faded away."
Black, a Bush family friend, said the trick will be for the Florida governor to stay in the public spotlight.
"I think he could go to the private sector for a while, still campaign very actively for whoever the nominee is in 2008 and maybe come back someday and take a run at it," Black said.
"His name will still be Bush and, even if he's out of public office four years or so, people are going to say, 'Yes, that's the former president's brother, the guy who ran Florida so well."
He'd make a great president.
Jeb Bush is going to make a great president!!
Just wondering, but on what basis would he make a "great" president?
I've heard that bandied about quite a bit, but thrown out as though it's obvious, with no rationale behind it.
Jeb/Condi in '08...or is that Condi/Bush?
I really like Jeb. Such a strong leader with principles and a heart. He'd be a great prez. Viva Jeb Bush!
Say what? How often have you seen Colin Powell in khakis and and open necked shirt? You almost ALWAYS seen Gov. Bush dressed that way. I'd say Powell is taking his cues from Jeb, but it seems Jeb is going to get the Dubya treatment in the press.
Would like to see Jeb knock off that empty suit Senator Bill Nelson in 2006!!! With both great and successful governor and senator experience Jeb is on his way to becoming the Prez in 2008 or 2012!!!
He's heads and tails above McCain and Guiliani, IMO.
I don't think Jeb will run in 2008 - I think IF he runs and that is a BIG IF - he will run in 2012.
It'll be time for some fresh ideas - besides, this is a representative republic, not an oligarchy.
I agree with you. We definitely need a fresh face for 2008! LOL I heard that Edwards is going to run again in 2008 - LOL Democrats still haven't learned from their mistakes!
I would imagine that the party is looking for a non-Bush candidate to avoid the PR problems caused by appearing to be a "dynasty." Obviously successive family members can only become prez if they are elected, but there are lots of ways it could be used against Jeb. I can just imagine the commercials, the endless nagging by the press, etc.
It could be overcome, just like his brother has overcome the press's "stupid" label, but I'm sure there are forces in the party looking for someone without that whole area of struggle.
No No No NO!
Not another Bush.
Look I love President Bush, and think he's doing a way above average job.
I fully support the War in Iraq, and think it was way over-due.
I think his efforts to save Social Security are courageous and also way overdue.
I like his faith-based social initiatives, and other moves as well.
BUT another Bush is just not wise -- Many voters would be turned off by that single issue, and politically it just would not be smart.
Let's Be Smart!
He is.
Have seen him with his mother at a campaign rally. He does mind his mother! Very respectful--even when she gets to telling stories. ;o)
BINGO!! I also think Jeb would be a great president - but also agree the MSM & RATS would never allow him to run in 2008 -- 2012 would be better. That's assuming he even wants the job, which I'm not sure he does.
And that's why you'll be free to vote for him or against him in the primary and in November of 2008. Having the President's brother win a national election hardly constitutes an oligarchy. Furthermore, why is this argument not discussed with respect to Hillary's candidacy.
Assuming Dick Cheney does not run, I'll be voting for Jeb in 2008.
Yeah, and I would rather have not had Bob Dole as my candidate in 96. However, once the party decides to anoint an individual prior to a real primary fight there's not much chance for anyone else.
Not sure what Hillary has to do with my comment, but I'd be happy to apply the same std to her.
This really says it all.
Can you say 'entitlement'?
What makes you think Jeb doesn't have any fresh ideas?
This is just one new idea (not so new to Floridians):
Students eligible for the Talented 20 Program are guaranteed admission to one of eleven universities and are given priority for the awarding of funds from the Florida Student Assistance Grant, a needs-based student assistance program.
Florida is the only state in the nation to guarantee admission to its public high school students graduating in the top 20 percent of their class. Students must have completed the required 19 academic credits and have either an SAT or ACT score (no minimum is required).Link
besides, this is a representative republic, not an oligarchy.
Go tell it to those nudniks in Massachusetts.
Duncan Hunter for 2008. Jeb isn't running in '08 and shouldn't.
And yes, Ted Kennedy is probably the best argument against conferring an advantage on a candidate based upon family ties.
Run, Jeb, run!!!
George W. Bush was anointed prior to the 2000 primary and that seemed to work out pretty well. He still had to stand for election in November of 2000. Regardless of who runs, Jeb Bush is going to have a helluva primary fight in 2008 and he's not going to be anointed anything.
Not sure what Hillary has to do with my comment, but I'd be happy to apply the same std to her.
In 2008, she will be the deomcratic nominee for President. She will be running on less accomplishment and more family connections than Jeb. Our own party can't rule what could possibly be our best candidate because he is related to the current President. The MSM will not apply that standard to Hillary and the Pubbies (more specifically Jeb supporters) need to fight back when the family connections issue is raised.
Popular two term spanish speaking Republican Governor of the 4th largest state? Yeah, NOBODY would be mentioning his name as President.
Who else do you think looks good in 2008?
When you have an open seat for the WH, like in 08, and a VP who is not seeking to move up, AND Hillary as the Dem nominee..well, strage things can happen..how about POWELL/BUSH '08?
I love Dick Cheney would hope he changes his mind about running. Bill Owens would ne a terrific choice as well, even if he is an unknown. I would also vote for Rice, could probably also hold my nose and vote for McCain or Guilani. Frist doesn't excite me, but this guy can put together a national senatorial campaign.
The bottom line is whoever the nominee is, I am voting for in the Presidential election.
That's not a fact, that's your opinion.
And whether we like it or not name recognition is one part of getting elected.
I don't have a problem with families that end up in politics. Some families pass on a store or a farm or a business, for a very few politics is the business that's passed down. It's also true that families that come from wealth teach their children to give back to their communities or do public service (at least they used to). It's not that the Kennedy's come from one source, it's their policies that are the problem. Which explains why only one of them got elected outside of Massachusetts and JFK certainly didn't resemble what his brother has morphed into over the decades.
I'm grateful to those who have sound judgment, a backbone and who are honest people that WANT to serve us in government. I certainly don't want the job, do you?
I think it's silly to dismiss someone out of hand because of their last name. And to echo another poster on this thread, because Barbara Bush raised the man makes him very appealing to me. That fact was the reason I started taking GWB seriously back in 1999. I have not been disappointed with either GWB or Jeb. I've voted for both of them, twice. Oops, no, actually I've voted for Jeb three times. He lost in his first attempt at unseating Lawton 'the He coon that walks at night' Chiles. :-)
About time somebody said what I've been thinking!
Get on your flame retardant undies, we're about to hear how Powell is too liberal.
If W gets to appoint three conservative SC justices, then Powell couldn't do any damage..you might see a "consensus" arise around him...and he might also promise to serve only one term..The Dems would be apoplectic..
Good points I hadn't thought of, so to save the flames I kept the idea to myself. I wish I was smart enough to know how smart I am. ;-)
Jeb is the Safety Valve.
Just In case Hillary Wins 2008.
Jeb could run 2012.To Take our Country Back.
God Forbid we have 8yrs.of Rats!
The real kicker is if Bush decides to actively attempt to pick his successor..the method is easy..after the 06 elections, Cheney retires for "health" reasons..he can still stay as an advisor to the president, inside the EWH..but say that he feels the need to remove himslelf from the line of succession..Bush names the next V..subject to Senate confirmation..if it were Powell..wel..go speculate...
Jeb Bush bump.
Were this scenario to happen the American public (that part that doesn't pay much attention to politics) will be confused when the MSM starts ripping Powell apart. Will they attempt it after making him out to be the only honest, well meaning (aka not really a republican) member of the Bush cabinet?
It would certainly open many more eyes to the shenanigans of the dems and the MSM.
Hmmm, bitch slapping dems and the MSM with one whack. I like it.
It also works because Powell doesn't like the retail side of politics...the baby-kissing, for want of a better term. If he 's running for the WH as a sitting VP, he has the benefit of campaigning with all the institutional trappings and security of the VP..not saying it will happen, but it could..I think the odds are about the same as that of Cheney running for the WH..
Thanks for the ping, Joe!
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