Jeb Bush Says No to 2012 Run

Wall Street Journal ^ | July 27, 2010 | By Peter Wallsten

[curth]

Many Republicans are still searching for that ideal 2012 presidential candidate – someone who can fire up both the fiscal and social conservative wings of the GOP while luring swing voters. And, in recent months, the chatter has often turned to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Bush apparently sought to quiet the murmurs today, telling a Kentucky TV reporter that he isn’t running. Bush has said that since leaving office in January 2007 that he would focus on making money and advocating for education reforms, which were a centerpiece of his tenure as governor. Even as polls show that he remains popular in Florida, the country’s biggest swing state, many close to him and party strategists have assumed that the Bush family name was a non-starter so soon after the presidency of his unpopular older brother, George W. Bush. Jeb Bush waved off efforts by state Republicans to coax him into the U.S. Senate race.

But the 2010 midterms have served as a bit of a political re-coming out for Jeb Bush, who has traveled the country raising money for Republican candidates. Just this week, he headlined a fund-raiser Monday night in Louisville for GOP Senate nominee Rand Paul. He has also spoken out on a range of political issues, from economic policy to immigration.

Bush said today that his denial was hardly news. Asked why there has been so much speculation, Bush told Washington Wire via email: “I haven’t a clue. I have not been running for a while and answer the question the same way every time.”

But given the glaring demographic challenges facing Republicans, who tend to appeal mostly to white voters as the country grows more black and brown, Bush remains a tempting option. He speaks fluent Spanish, is married to a Mexican-American, and Latinos

[GunningForTheBuddha]

Open Borders (narrowly missed), Harriet Meiers (narrowly missed), TARP (hit), Military cannot engage Mosques being used as weapon storage and command centers (hit)

Okay, I'll grant a near disaster

[VanDeKoik]

oh no this is a bad thing.

how can we even think about beating obama without a top conservative like jeb bush running?

please come back jeb. please?

[Psalm 144]

This announcement is the strongest evidence yet seen that they will try to insert Hillary in 2012.

**********

Interesting assessment.

[Thermalseeker]

This announcement is the strongest evidence yet seen that they will try to insert Hillary in 2012.

Yeah, the evidence is definitely mounting that Hillary will challenge BHO come '12. I mean, seriously, people don't actually think Slick is going to go out and campaign for Obamalamadingdong, do they? More likely, this gives Slick a reason to go out and say "Looky here, I'm back! If you vote for Hillary in 2012 you get me too!".....

[skimbell]

"...Jeb Bush Says No to 2012 Run..."

That's the smartest thing that I've heard him say in a long time.

[screaminsunshine]

He sure grew government raised taxes and increased regulations here in Floriduh.

[reagan_fanatic]

Thank you Jesus.

[Psalm 144]

Some Freeps don’t believe compassionate conservatism was a disaster.

****************

Well, Islam _is_ a religion of peace.

And cowboys like Ramos and Compean should be prosecuted.

[MNJohnnie]

Thank you God!

[Thermalseeker]

Okay, I'll grant a near disaster

You failed to mention Medicare Part D. That is an unmitigated disaster and I dare anyone to define it as remotely "conservative". It was a Progressive wet dream that the Republicans pushed through. What is it now, 3 or 4 times over budget?

[Rum Tum Tugger]

he isn’t running

Sure

[TomGuy]

Not running?

May he is the smarter brother — and saw the EPIC FAIL of his trial balloons.

[Now, if Newt would only realize that his trial balloons are filled with a similar amount of lead...]

The GOP needs new faces — from the ranks of governors or somewhere (except the Senate). They need to get away from the nominating this old guy or that old guy “because it is his turn” syndrome.

[I cannot think of a name]

“GW slashed taxes, put 2 conservatives on the bench, and stuck it to these terrorists......in my book, that’s a success.”

double ditto and Amen!

(People are getting their expectations way too high. Yes I would prefer someone more conservative than GWB, as would most people on this board. But at some point maturity needs to take over. The next President will probably need 65-70 million votes to win. THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY TRUE CONSERATIVES IN THIS COUNTRY NOR IS THERE EVER LIKELY TO BE. We will need 20-30 million of the sheeple to vote with us, and that means a compromise candidate. GWB is probably about the most conservative candidate we will ever see elected. JMO).

[Thermalseeker]

Now, if Newt would only realize that his trial balloons are filled with a similar amount of lead...

I'm starting to get the feeling that Newt is going to be thrust upon the electorate much like Obamalamadingdong was. You can hardly turn on the TV or radio these days without Newt being on there spewing his "what the American people want" diatribe.....

[jazminerose]

Enough with the dynasty politics. Just enough already.

[Thermalseeker]

GWB is probably about the most conservative candidate we will ever see elected. JMO

Really? I vividly recall a true Conservative named Ronald Wilson Reagan that won election in two landslides not all that long ago. The result of his policies was a 25 year economic expansion unlike this country has ever seen, the fall of the USSR, and a host of other great things Congress has managed to screw up in the last 10-12 years.....

[Yo-Yo]

"Stay Out Da Bushes"

Something Jesse and I can agree on.

[Michael.SF.]

He knows it will be at least a decade before voters forget his brother’s disaster.

I'm not so sure about that. Two more years of the real disaster we have now will make President Bush look like a candidate for Mt. Rushmore.

[Average Al]

If anyone wants a draft Jeb movement let it be for the army!
;-)

[stormer]