Jeb Bush Rallies Conservatives at Summit

The Washington Post ^ | January 28, 2007 | Zachary A. Goldfarb

[george76]

Non-Candidate Shows Ability to Excite the Party

At a time when the conservative movement is looking bereft, humbled by midterm-election defeats and hungering for a presidential candidate to rally around, Jeb Bush delivered yesterday in Washington a resounding endorsement of conservative principles, bringing his audience repeatedly to its feet.

In his lunchtime remarks to the Conservative Summit, Bush struck every conservative chord, blaming Republicans' defeat in November on the party's abandonment of tenets including limited government and fiscal restraint.

"Don't take offense personally if I get mad at Congress," the Republican former Florida governor began. "It's important for us to realize we lost, and there are significant reasons that happened, but it isn't because conservatives were rejected. But it's because we rejected the conservative philosophy in this country."

He added, "If the promise of pork and more programs is the way Republicans think they'll regain the majority, then they've got a problem."

Bush's speech prompted three standing ovations from the audience of hundreds at the National Review Institute's conference at the JW Marriott Hotel, reflecting the widespread concern among conservatives that exorbitant government spending led to the loss of majorities in the House and Senate and concern about whether Republicans would again embrace the traditional principles.

To Ed Gillespie, a prominent lobbyist and former chairman of the Republican National Committee, Bush's two terms in Tallahassee -- where he developed a reputation as a tax-cutter and staunch spending hawk -- exemplified conservative politics at its best, and what makes for a compelling presidential candidate.

"For those who are worried if you can put forward a vigorous conservative policy agenda in a state like Florida and still get elected and still be popular: Our keynote speaker left office with approval ratings above 60 percent,"

[Hildy]

NO MORE BUSHES. NO MORE CLINTONS. NO MORE BUSHES. NO MORE CLINTONS.

[Defiant]

George Bush sounded like a conservative coming out of Texas, and he had Dems there eating out of his hands. We won't make that mistake again.

[samadams2000]

Oh yeah lets give another Bush a chance to prove he's a real conservative, that way the scorecard could read 0-3....???

[MinuteGal]

Hmmmm......is Jeb positioning himself to be the Great Conservative Hope?.......given the fact that the field of Republican presidential hopefuls is a mixed bag of RINO's, charisma-deficients, baggage-carriers, nobodies, losers, unknowns......and at least one loonie-bird.

Leni

[FairOpinion]

At a Friday night panel on the state of conservatism, commentator Laura Ingraham argued that Republicans -- if they are to have any chance of winning in 2008 -- must wake up to the fact that Democrats are embracing politicians such as Sen. James Webb (Va.), a gruff military veteran who delivered his party's response to the State of the Union on Tuesday by attacking President Bush's Iraq plan while offering a populist economic message.

"We have to be careful with conservatives not to remain in an echo chamber," Ingraham said. "The party that comes off as the party that represents the American worker best is the party that wins in 2008."

===

I agree with Laura. Newt said the same thing: focus on conservative principles, but those that help broaden the base, not narrow it.


===

Gingrich sees error in pull of voter base

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1767715/posts

Newt Gingrich, who is considering a bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, says his party's biggest mistake is thinking that the way to a lasting majority is to emphasize its conservative voter base.

"A base-motivation party inherently, in the long run, drives away the non-base,"Mr. Gingrich said.

The better way, he says, is to define the opposition on specific issues so that the Democrats are exposed as espousing views shared by a small minority of voters.

Mr. Gingrich now talks optimistically about prospects for building a broader Republican base.


"Ronald Reagan understood that arguments should be made where we have huge advantages with virtually all Americans," Mr. Gingrich said. "He was brilliant at avoiding base-narrowing appeals and emphasizing base-broadening appeals."

[edsheppa]

It's too bad Jeb has taken himself out of the running. He'd make a hell of a fine president. A mere accident of birth order has deprived us of a far better one.

[george76]

Jeb's parents apparently thought that Jeb would have been the next president after the father.

Jeb's wife apparently stopped him from running again ( for now ? )

[EternalVigilance]

"It's important for us to realize we lost, and there are significant reasons that happened, but it isn't because conservatives were rejected. But it's because we rejected the conservative philosophy in this country."

You're a poster boy, Jeb.

Florida Constitution
Article 1

SECTION 2. Basic rights.--All natural persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, to pursue happiness, to be rewarded for industry, and to acquire, possess and protect property; except that the ownership, inheritance, disposition and possession of real property by aliens ineligible for citizenship may be regulated or prohibited by law. No person shall be deprived of any right because of race, religion, national origin, or physical disability.

[george76]

The DUmmies were clever in running non liberals against us.

Too many of the voters fell for their tricks.

When the DU leaders go hard left, the Webbs will be exposed.

However the media will provide cover, so the voters may not notice.

[shield]

It's been said that Jeb is the smartest of the Bushes in the political arena...he'll not run at least this go around because Americans do not want another Bush or another clinton in the WH, he recognizes that...

[etradervic]

I like Jeb but he is weak on illegal immigration. 2008 is definitely not his time. But he is young.

[MinuteGal]

I agree with your analysis 100%.....but there's a long-shot scenario (given the less-than-shining Republican field of hopefuls) that he may be the last-man-standing in Republican heads before the primaries heat up.

However, despite personal soothing assurances, there's something in the Bush genes that carries a shrouded elitism, globalism. multi-culturalism and other liberal traits that all the "stand firm in Iraq" policies can't quite wash away.

Seedlings don't fall far from the shrub, so I'm not enamored at this time with the idea of another Bush in the presidency.

Does anyone else feel as frustrated as hell about almost EVERYTHING political these days.....like I do?

Leni

[EternalVigilance]

I do.

The cure is to take out that frustration on the liberals in both parties who are its source. :-)

[etradervic]

I agree that our message must have broad appeal. Reagan was great at reaching Blue Collar Republicans.

But I disagree with the implication that the GOP has been pandering to its conservative base. If anything, the opposite is true - big spending, weak on immigration, Specter as head of the JC, etc.

[shield]

Yes...the republicans are acting like a bunch of scared little sissies....life goes on after losing a seat...why oh why can't they stand up for their principles whether tomorrow they'll be voted out. Oh I do wish for 'term limits'... that would solve alot.

[Hildy]

No, not 2008...never.. NO MORE BUSHES.

[Mercat]

At the time, their daughter was having serious issues. I haven't heard lately how she's doing. We may have to wait for George P.

[Cincinna]

If his name weren't Bush, he would be the next POTUS. He would have been a great candidate and a great POTUS. Hoping America rejects the "Dynasty" trend and won't put another Clinton in the White House.

If Rudy is the best candidate who can keep Queen Hillary from claiming her throne, so be it.

Stop the insanity now!

[george76]

I hope that their daughter found some peace.

She was really out of control.

Hearing nothing either lately.