Posted on 04/01/2014 10:49:29 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Connoisseurs of hinge-moments those instants at which a countrys future changes have long-appreciated the 1994 Florida gubernatorial election. Jeb Bush lost. Meanwhile, across the country, his elder brother George was elected governor of Texas. George Junior complained whined, perhaps that Barbara and George Senior grieved Jebs loss more than they celebrated Georges victory.
Until that moment, however, Jeb had been thought the Bush boy more likely to succeed on the national stage. Over the course of a single night in 1994, however, the wheel turned back to George. We know what happened next.
Twenty years later there are people still determined to give Jeb a chance. According to the Washington Post influential Republicans are working to drag and draft Jeb into the race for the GOPs 2016 presidential nomination.
Well, why not? Nothing could better honour the American Dream than a contest pitting Jeb Bush against Hillary Clinton. True, old cynics and salty curmudgeons might chunter about the Republics lost virtue or something but, hell, cable news would love it and if thats not all that counts it still counts for quite a lot. A soap opera to make you puke but one you cant help but watch. Whats not to like?
Influential Republicans means, of course, immensely wealthy Republicans. Many of Mitt Romneys fundraisers are said to be waiting for the chance to raise cash for Bush. And no wonder. He has impeccable establishment credentials.
This kite it doesnt merit being dubbed a plan yet is flown as a sign the partys money-wing is unhappy with the choices available to it. Chris Christie has some baggage. Marco Rubio is kinda callow and not entirely baggage-free either. Rand Paul is a no-no for all the obvious reasons. And who knows what other mistakes lurk out there waiting for their 15 minutes of party-wrecking fame?
You know what you get with Jeb. Even if hes been out of office since 2006.
But, really, it is hard not to read such stories and conclude that the Republican party is exhausted. Since (from a conservative perspective) Jebs father and brother each disappointed albeit in rather different ways theres something quaintly optimistic about suggesting third time lucky with the Bushes.
And its not as though Jebs a home run or a slam dunk either. Hes hopelessly soft on immigration, for one thing, and rather too fond of empowering the Department of Education for another. Thats before you even consider the possibility faint, I know! of Bush Fatigue.
Its not that Jebs an utterly hopeless candidate. Nor, at 61, is he too old. But, still, the disadvantages seem acute. Do we really want to go through all this stuff all over again?
Granted, Hillary Clintons reasons for running for the Presidency (we assume she is running) are hardly any more noble. Its about time she enjoyed her turn; about time, too, America elected a woman Commander-in-Chief. And thats about it. An attractive combination of entitlement and identity politics. Ask not what I will do; ask instead how my historic presidency will make you feel. Vote Hillary, consider yourself a decent person. And stick one to the Vast Right-Wng Conspiracy while youre at it.
What a joyous prospect. Hillary might be hard to beat anyway but even a numbskull could craft an effective advert asking Americans if they felt like electing the third President Bush or the first female President.
That assumes Jeb might win the GOP nomination. Which is far from obvious. Romney beat a field of midgets and, anyway, was the next guy in line from four years previously. Jeb might call on a formidable machine and have access to a vast war-chest but hes not the next guy (there is no next guy) and hes been so far from the fray for so long its not obvious or guaranteed that he retains the enthusiasm or dedication required to play it as though you are serious about winning.
Stranger things have happened but its hard to think of many stranger than returning to the Bush well for a third time. Welcome to America, a land where just about anyone can become President. Hell, we elected Dubya didnt we?
He would be outstanding says Henry Kissinger. He is someone who is experienced, moderate and thoughtful. Maybe so but those are not necessarily qualities useful in the primary. They might even be considered grievous handicaps. And could you receive a more telling endorsement than one from old Henry K? It takes insidery-insiderness to a whole new level.
True, the Republican party is usually wise enough to choose the most electable candidate. Perhaps that would be Jeb but its not obvious it would be.
And unless Bush can begin as the presumptive favourite it seems unlikely, I should guess, he will be interested in running at all. Which is one reason why I think these calls to draft Jeb should most sensibly be seen as desperate cries for help.
He wont run (I think!). But, secretly and even though we know it would be appalling, wed quite like him to. Think of the soap opera!
If Jeb Bush and Slick Willie’s wife is the best this country can do to replace that bass turd sitting in the White Hut, this country is in deeper trouble than most of us already think it is.
Tweedledrunk and Tweedleduck.
Mark my words, as soon as the 0bama girls are grown Moochy will run for the WH, probably successfully. The media drumbeat will begin in January, 2017.
Don’t forget Chelsea. She’ll be in that mix at some point as well.
I’m unwilling and not ready to even contemplate another Clinton or Bush.
No more Bushs, no more Clintons, no more Kennedys, no more Chaney’s, No more Obamas.
If that’s it then we deserve what we get.
Jeb versus Hillary?
Maybe God can’t help us.
Maybe God won’t help us.
Maybe God shouldn’t help us.
Seems to me that America has run out of the right stuff in a very big way.
OHHHH ! HELL NO !
325,000,000 people and we can’t find a new family to vote for? Who next Michelle Obama followed by Chelsea and George P. Bush?
I think I’m leaving the country if either of ‘em gets elected.
The very thought of another Bush or Clinton has me seriously thinking about emigrating to Finland. It would prove to me that we have entered the realm of hopelessness ... I really don’t want to witness America’s death rattle up close. I wish I saw a Reagan on the Horizon ... but I don’t!
That result would have Satan chortling with glee in hell.
Clinton- I support raising taxes, keeping and fixing obamacare
Bush- so do I
what’s the point of voting for a liberal republican?????
“True, the Republican party is usually wise enough to choose the most electable candidate. “
Whaaaaa? Dole/McCain/Romney had great presidencies. Bush I was a one termer.
More than that.
If you listened to Mark Levin earlier this week, the real problem are the mega-rich international money bundlers, They bankroll creatures like the Bushes and Clintons. They are crony capitalists whose sole objective in politics is to ease a one-world trading economy.
They don;t give a damn about social issues or patriotism - their “nation” is the international market. GE is a perfect example.
Trying to take our country back from these people will be very difficult - money talks and they have lots of it and are getting lots more from offshoring operations.
Jen is a creation of the elite establishment — FAIL.
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