Posted on 06/15/2005 2:34:30 PM PDT by CHARLITE
Gov. Jeb Bush, the Miami developer turned the most powerful governor in Florida history, said Tuesday that he does not know what he will do with his life once his second term in office ends in January 2007.
Bush has consistently ruled out running for president in 2008. He told a group of 300 high school girls gathered in the House chamber of the Capitol that while he remains unsure about his own future, he plans to return to his hometown of Miami.
His remarks come at a time that national publications continue to tout him as a potential Republican candidate for president, or even vice president.
"My plans are really up in the air," said Bush, who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term as governor. "I really take my job seriously. I love my job. It's like the greatest thing I ever had a chance to do, so I want to finish strong."
He added: "I happen to believe that God has a plan for all of us."
Ever since he became governor in 1999, Bush has addressed participants of Florida Girls State, the annual event put on by the American Legion Auxiliary that brings 300 high-school seniors to Tallahassee.
In his remarks Tuesday, he displayed a free-wheeling and openly candid side not often seen in public.
Recounting regrets
During his half-hour session Bush took time to criticize "career politicians," expressed regrets about how he and the Legislature handled the tragic case of Terri Schiavo, and told the teens that they should maintain "healthy disrespect for authority" in order to challenge the status quo.
He described his own leadership mistakes as "impatience" and not initially fostering a work environment where his staff could voice their opinions.
When asked after the session about whether he would be willing to run for vice president in 2008, as suggested Tuesday by a columnist writing for the Washington Post, Bush sighed and then said, "I've got 565 days, and I intend to work as hard as I can to do my job."
When asked again about whether he would turn down a vice presidential spot, Bush then said, "Please, leave me alone. I'm not going to say anything more than what I've said, and I've said it pretty consistently."
During his remarks, Bush said he wished that he and legislators had passed a broader law in late 2003 to protect Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman who died this year after a court ordered that her feeding tube be removed. A broader law would have dealt with all people who are without living wills; the more narrowly-tailored law that did pass was eventually declared unconstitutional.
Attempts to craft a broader law during the 2005 session were unsuccessful after a group of nine Senate Republicans sided with Democrats against the measure.
Bush also told the group that one of his "political" mistakes during his years in office was to approve a settlement in 2000 to allow a cement plant to be built along the Ichetucknee River in North Florida.
Bush said it was the "legal thing" to do because the state would have never won its case, but he said it created a "perception" that had tainted press coverage of his future efforts to protect the environment.
During his opening statement, Bush warned the girls that they should not enter life by trying to map out a political career where each office they seek is designed to be a stepping stone for another one.
Bush said afterward that his comments about "career politicians" were not aimed at either Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher or Attorney General Charlie Crist, the two current Republican candidates for governor who both have been in politics more than a decade.
But Bush said he was such a firm believer in term limits and that he planned to vote against a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow state lawmakers to serve 12 years instead of eight. The GOP-controlled Legislature voted this past spring to place the amendment on the ballot.
"I think term limits are a good healthy thing, it narrows the focus to service," said Bush. "You don't have to do this for your entire life."
Gary Fineout is a Tallahassee reporter for The Miami Herald, a Knight Ridder newspaper. He can be reached at gfineout@herald.com.
We can do better.
Yes-Mike Pence.
BTTT
Every time I turn on the TV it seems Florida is in the news again for something scandalous.
he will lose...
I think Jeb would make a better president than GWB, but it's time to move on.
I would agree. I think we need to avoid the dynasty image. Bush is not our only family name out there and honestly, I think Jeb would have been a better candidate and president than W, but that being said, I am not completely opposed to ONE DAY, Jeb running for POTUS. I think there are more viable candidates and ones without the dynastic charge. We need to move past the Doles and Bushes and seek out the next Ronald Reagan to lead our party. People on this blog keep mentioning Mike Pence...I don't know that much about him, but I know he has absolutely NO recognition outside of this blog and his Congressional District and therefore at this juncture, don't see him as a viable option. I still hope that Governor Sanford will change his mind and run...I see him being the best option that has a chance to win. Maybe Sen. George Allen, a former governor.
The Democrat's best option would be Evan Bayh...he at least has a resume that is impressive and would have appeal across the aisle. He is a stuff shirt and a liberal, although in conservative clothing. He, unlike Kerry, may be able to shed the liberal, mideastern mantle that the D's last nominee was doomed with. Ben Nelson may be able to as well, but neither Bayh or Nelson will never make it out the Democratic primaries in any shape to wage a national campaign.
The Rs need a moderate that appeals to religious conservatives that are most active in the primaries/caucuses across the country and have cross-over appeal to moderates and independents. Bush had that appeal and although not an ideal candidate/President, he is 100% better than any of the alternatives offered by the major parties that had a chance to win the POTUS.
I will keep my eyes open over the next two years to see if any real candidates emerge or if this will be 1976 all over again with no desirable candidates on the foreground.
Ronald Reagan was a candidate in 1976.
FRs not a blog.
Right, it would be something the lefties will scream 24 hours a day. They'll claim jeb is being controlled by GW who is being controlled by his dad. He'd probably lose just because people want to avoid a monarchy type of thing.
What the heck is WRONG with the press? Jeb said he isn't running. Gimme a break.
Jeb has been a damn good governor down here in Florida. We could do a whole helluva lot worse. But the point is moot--he ain't runnin' in '08.
Didn't he just run in the primary and not-wholeheartedly. Honestly...I was 4 and don't remember much/any of the Ford years. I do remember out campaigning for him in 1980 with my parents, but besides that...
Why isn't FR a "blog"...? People post ideas...is that not a broad interpretation of a "blog"?
How do we know Jeb would not be like W in that way. W has made some unpopular decisions...but you are right...he has the cajones to listen to his advisers and make unpopular decisions. Unlike Clinton, he didn't need to take a poll to see if he was/wasn't going to do something.
I agree...but I think it is more than that. We are a country that was established on freedom and democratic thought. Having one "ruling" aristrocatic family could have some very negative implications on this country. Look what the Kennedy's have become.
I think we should await George P. Bush to run. He seems promising, but time will tell.
Agreed and Agreed. Jeb, with exceptions to a few mistakes and blunders, has been a very good governor. I would take 20 minutes of a Governor Bush to 4 years of Former Attorney General Crissy Gregriore "presiding" over WA state. So very depressing.
Interestingly enough, I recently read an article on 'P', seems like an up-and-comer.
Jeb is TONS better than McCain.
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