Posted on 05/05/2014 7:28:48 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
As we know, the search for an “establishment” candidate has been on in the GOP for a while now, a savior who can rescue the party from Rand Paul or Ted Cruz. That man, of course, is Jeb Bush. Last week on Hardball, Kathleen Parker said he is definitely running. She’s a conservative columnist but not a wacko, has establishment GOP credentials and Florida ties to boot. And she spoke with the air of someone who had had this nugget leaked to her specifically so that she would go out on national TV and blurt it out.
So take the idea of a Bush candidacy seriously. He’ll get many of the biggest donors and most plugged-in operatives, and he’ll immediately be spoken of by the media as a, if not the, GOP frontrunner.
So far, so normal. But here’s where things get interesting. Historically, “establishment” in this context also basically means “most formidable” and “most electable.” Look at the track record. Mitt Romney was the establishment candidate in 2012, John McCain in 2008, Jeb’s brother in 2000. Two of these three never became president, but there’s no doubt that all three were the best the GOP had to offer in their given years. Who would have run better than McCain in 2008? Maybe, possibly Romney himself. But not Mike Huckabee or Ron Paul. And 2012’s lineup besides Romney was comic relief. Any one of them couldn’t have topped 200 electoral votes. And Dubya, of course, won. (Well, “won,” but that’s a different column.)
It’s an iron law of presidential politics: The establishment candidate is, almost by definition, the most formidable candidate. Well, I guess iron ain’t what it used to be, because here’s the funny thing: Jeb Bush is not any stronger against Hillary Clinton
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Seriously? Gowdy is a pit bull of a prosecutor who never lost a case. He's absolutely the best choice for this position. Boehner, I don't doubt, was forced to pick Gowdy by conservatives who want to see those responsible for Benghazi held accountable. This is the best possible outcome.
“Then Bush ended up giving the Iraqi oil to France and China. “
Bush did not give oil to anyone.
Iraq is selling on the open market and China is buying.
When I buy gas at the pump, no one is “giving” it to me.
I am paying for it.
France and China are paying for the Iraqi oil.
This country has turned to funk. Both Jeb and Hillary look “old news” to many more voters than in 2008, nevermind back in her heyday, ions ago.
I suspect Rand Paul may be attractive to younger funk voters against Hillary runs (and I don’t see how she does).
I have no idea if there can really be enough conservatives left in the USA any more to place a real conservative in office.
“She’s a conservative columnist but not a wacko,” Kathleen Parker is a leftist wacko, just like this jerk.
Maybe Jeb visits FR to gauge public reaction?
the non testosterone surrender is grahamccainboner to Gowdy, the Jack Bauer of prosecutors, gearing up for this fight that he can not and will not lose to Tina Fey, Maher, shieffer, Crowley, juan Williams, carney, bo Hillary.
If that’s the whine, you will not be pleased with what Gowdy can and prolly will do to your appeasement group.
But the GOP hears: Jeb is the only electable candidate!
“Remember how back in the mid-2000s, GOP operatives speaking on background used to drop quotes in the press averring that he was “the smart one”? Well, lately I’ve been thinking maybe George was the smart one.”
Neil and Marvin were the smart brothers. They stayed out of politics.
No I Do Not Agree. Romney was NOT a “joke” as you put it. Romney was And Still Is what America needs to stop the bleeding out of all that is strong and influential about todays America. It is Obama and his blinkered supporters who are the real caustic Clowns.
“Both Jeb and Hillary look “old news” to many more voters than in 2008, nevermind back in her heyday, ions ago.”
Kind of reminds me of 1968. Nixon vs. Humphrey. Most of the electorate really did not give a darn about that election.
Please! No more Bushes, Clintons, Romneys, or Obamas.
“Rand Paul”
I like him.
But I think the winning candidate for the GOP is IN Gov. Mike Pence.
vaudine
I would vote for Pelosi before I’d vote for Jeb. And I would vote for Pelosi one minute after hell froze over...
I gotta oppose Rand, sure he’s better than Jeb and Cristie Creme but he and his daddy are kooks and I think he’d probably fall on his face in a POTUS campaign.
I’ve been going back and forth on Walker and Cruz. Right now I’m thinking Walker. Pence is another good choice.
It’s hard to come up with many other good names. It says a lot that Rand looks good compared to most of them.
The “establishment” is in trouble because it’s top dogs are a guy with an unelectable last name and fat sack of abrasive garbage. They may have to go with Paul Ryan as their pick. Walker versus Ryan would be weird.d probably fall on his face in a POTUS campaign.
I
Jeb will not win...I am looking at Cruz or Perry.
Kathleen Parker IS NOT A CONSERVATIVE
Hey! GOPsterinMA!
Yes! I like Pence very much, too.
I believe a split-the-difference Republican could maybe beat Hillary, and Pence is that type— not yet seen as a “right wing whacko”, by the mind shapers, nor is he seen as an Establishment player.
If Hillary doesn’t run, and “Pocohontis” takes the Dem nomination, just about anybody can beat her.
I am thinking the new electorate out there is weird. :) Rita
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