Posted on 02/07/2011 7:07:16 PM PST by ejdrapes
February 7, 2011 8:15 P.M. By Robert Costa Sen. Jim DeMint, the conservative star from South Carolina, is keeping a close eye on the emerging 2012 presidential field. New names, he observes, keep popping up. One of those, of course, is former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Rich, Kathryn, and John have all written about Bush’s appeal in recent days. DeMint, in an interview with National Review Online, calls Bush “one of the best” possible presidential contenders. “Maybe the person we are looking for has not stepped out yet; it could be a Rick Perry or a Jeb Bush.” “[Bush] would be a really good president and a good candidate,” DeMint says. “He had a solid record as governor; he showed that he was willing to push innovative things in education and elsewhere.” DeMint says President Obama is “clearly beatable.” But the GOP nominee, he argues, will need to be formidable, since the president may be able to bounce off of a rebounding economy. Numerous potential candidates, he says, “are watching to see where Obama’s popularity will be. A lot is going to depend on whether people believe that he has anything to do with the economy coming back. And it will come back; you can’t keep the American economy down.” NRO wonders: In coming months, if Bush and other conservative favorites decide to sit out 2012, will DeMint feel compelled to jump in? “I really am trying to avoid that,” he tells us. “I’m looking for good candidates out there in the field.” “I would have to feel a strong pull from people all over the country,” DeMint says. “Again, it’s not something that, right now, appears to be in my future.” But could a grassroots ‘Draft DeMint’ movement stir him to run? “I don’t want to suggest that I’m waiting for any kind of draft,” he says. “It’s really not what I want to do. I really don’t have any intention of running. . . . I’m not ruling anything out, but it’s not something I want to do.”DeMint Surveys the Field, Praises Jeb
The establishment republicans are scared to death of Governor Palin. They have NEVER said she was inevitable, they are the ones saying she is unelectable.
The irony is, of course, that they are not afraid she would lose...they are afraid she would win and screw it up for Jeb, who is next in line in the dynasty.
The establishment was content to let Romney lose in 2012, perhaps with Jeb as his VP, to set up 2016. They don’t care about the country, or the party, some years (like 2008) they want to lose. But Romney is collapsing, so they have to find someone else to STOP Governor Plain. She is not a part of the beltway elite establishment, and they hate her for it.
You will not hear Rove or Krauthammer or Will or any other beltway pundit on Fox promoting Palin; she is like Reagan, an outsider who is not part of their RINOcracy. They didn’t want Reagan, they don’t want Palin. It will be interesting to see if she can prevail.
Perry is not POTUS material...but would be better than Obama who has proven not to be POTUS material.
If Jeb Bush runs I refuse to vote. NO MORE RINOS!
Sometimes it's easier to just you're caught in hypocrisy...lol.
I hear you already posted your PDS thread earlier today. Glad I wasn't here.
Jeb Bush can win the Republican nomination.
I will not be voting for him under any circumstances. I will also work to deter others from voting for him too.
Well, after hearing Gary Sinese talk at the Reagan Libary yesterday, I’m all for an outsider who absolutely loves America and her troops! SINESE for President in 2012!!!
Make no mistake about it. In today’s Media, ANYONE who gains the nomination on the Republican side will be radioactive. If that’s truly your opposition, you won’t be voting Republican.
She’s no more radioactive than Reagan was.
ANY true conservative is going to get that treatment. We have to decide ...do we want someone the media likes (like John McCain, he was their darling) or do we want a real conservative, and have the guts and strength of character not to be deterred by their smears and ridicule?
I don’t want an elite approved media darling, sorry.
It’s Sarah or no one for me.
to just admit.....
DeMint just lost a lot of credibility in my book.
I understand what you are saying, but hate being considered an establishment republican because I’m looking at this pragmatically re: Sarah...who, as I’ve said, I adore.
But Reagan was an outsider from CALIFORNIA...his home state brought brought like 20% of the needed electoral college votes to actually win. No Dem is going to win if they lose CA.
Since 50% of the population voted for a known socialist last election, you have to look at demographics IMO.
If DeMint goes for Jeb, I’ve got to conclude he’s a faker on illegal immigration. And if he’s a faker on illegal immigration it is fair to wonder what else he’s a faker on. After going for Romney in ‘08, DeMint seriously needs to be questioned here.
Would Jeb be the front runner right now if his last name was Smith?
Agreed. No more family members of any presidents. Cripes.
The choice is a fast death of our country with Obama or a slow one with another Bush. It wouldn’t make a real difference.
It would be almost as fast with Jeb Bush. I see very little differnece between him and obama. Come on in illegal immigrants and the ones that are here: immediate citizenship.
Bwahahaha!!! DeMint or Barbour is not going to win the nomination nationwide.
My sister also said that when he was Gov his wife seldom lived with him. There's a whole lot there that we don't hear about.
First, he didn’t say that Jeb was his be all and end all choice...just that he’d do a good job. What do you want him to say....all these guys are hacks? In the grand scheme of things, considering Obama as president, Jeb would be better. Not my choice, but....better than what we have and with a conservative congress?
Personally, I think Jeb is a non-starter...radioactive to the left AND right. Not gonna happen.
But Reagan didn’t speak ill of other Republicans either.
Say it ain’t him, Jim!
- JP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.