Posted on 12/17/2014 2:37:14 AM PST by servo1969
Allow me to unite America's left, right and center in just three words: No, Jeb, No.
Former GOP Florida governor Jeb Bush made the obvious official this week when he announced on Facebook that he's "actively exploring" a 2016 White House run. Of course, he's running. That's what inveterate politicians do.
Well, I hate to break it to Jeb Inc. There's no popular groundswell for Bush Part III. None, zip, nada. Independents, progressives and conservatives are all weary of the entrenched bipartisan dynasties that rule Washington and ruin America. Only in the hallowed bubble of D.C. and New York City elites does a Jeb Bush presidential bid make any sense.
Jeb's indulgent (and ultimately doomed) enterprise has three privileged constituencies: Big Business, Big Government and Big Media. This iron triumvirate explains how the failed campaigns of so-called "pragmatic," "thoughtful" and "moooooderate" liberal Republican candidates such as John McCain, Jon Huntsman and Bob Dole ever got off the ground. The "Reasonable Republican," anointed and enabled by the statist Big Three, serves as a useful tool for bashing conservatives and marginalizing conservatism.
For Republicans who argue that Jeb is the most "electable" choice, I ask: What planet are you on? After two disastrous terms of Barack Obama's Hope and Change Theater, the last thing the Republican Party needs is an establishment poster child for Washington business as usual. I mean, really? A third Bush who's been working for his dad, his dad's friends or the government since 1980?
A Beltway-ensconced scion so chummy with the Clinton family that he awarded close family friend -- and potential 2016 nemesis -- Hillary a "Liberty Medal" last year as chairman of the National Constitution Center?
That's the GOP donor bigwigs' "fresh idea" for "American Renewal?"
To blunt criticism from the grassroots base on the right, Jeb's cheerleaders at the Wall Street Journal cite his "conservative" gubernatorial record of cutting taxes and privatizing jobs. So we're supposed to swoon when a GOP governor acts like he's supposed to act on standard, bread-and-butter GOP issues? Whoop-de-doo.
One thing Jeb's promoters won't be emphasizing: Over the course of his eight years in the Florida governor's mansion, government spending skyrocketed. The libertarian Cato Institute notes that Florida general fund spending "increased from $18.0 billion to $28.2 billion during those eight years, or 57 percent" and that "(t)otal state spending increased from $45.6 billion to $66.1 billion, or 45 percent."
Like big-spending father, like big-spending big brother, like big-spending second son and lil' brother.
I have another interpretation of Bush's "conservative" Florida years: It's called biding his time. Yes, Jeb put in his obligatorily GOP service on taxes and the Second Amendment. Not because he was wedded to deep-rooted principles, mind you. But because the "conservative" facade will come in handy during the primaries when he has to defend radical, divisive positions on his two defining national policy issues: Education and immigration.
Jeb Bush's agenda is neither left nor right. His agenda is the agenda of the D.C. headquarters of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Remember: The chamber is a politically entrenched synod of bipartisan special interests. As I've said before, these fat cats do not represent the best interests of American entrepreneurs, American workers, American parents and students or Americans of any race, class or age who believe in low taxes and limited government.
The chamber's business is the big business of the Beltway, not the business of mainstream America. And so is Jeb Bush's.
The Chamber supports mass amnesty for cheap, illegal alien workers. Jeb Bush supports mass legalization of cheap, illegal alien workers and accuses those of us who oppose it on constitutional, sovereignty, security and fairness grounds of lacking "compassion."
The Chamber supports the top-down, privacy-undermining, local autonomy-sabotaging Common Core racket. Jeb Bush spearheaded and profited from Common Core -- and accuses those of us who oppose it of opposing academic excellence for our own children. Jeb's problem isn't just Common Core. It's that he has no core. Instead of retreating from the costly federalized scheme that has alienated teachers, administrators and parents of all backgrounds, Bush has doubled down with his Fed Ed control freak allies and corporate donors.
The reign of Obama ushered in massive cronyism, corporate favoritism and Boomtown boondoggles galore. We've lived too long already under the boot of arrogant D.C. bureaucrats who've exploited their power to serve their friends.
No more business as usual: Stop Jeb Bush.
Open borders extremist who has managed to raise a family of deadbeats with his wealth.
This Florida voter will not cast a ballot for Jeb or any other big government cronie, period. The establishment is dead to me.
What has Jeb Bush done to fight Obama? NADA
TED CRUZ is by far the best candidate. They are going to do everything to defame and detract from him.
Besides the long-form, extemporaneous smack-down by Rush Limbaugh yesterday, I’d say this is the most well-done summary of every reason of why I’m a Charter Member of the “Get Outta da Bushes!!” Club. I also hold auxiliary member status in the “No More PIAPS in the White House” movement. No familial right of succession of any kind in the US. The War for Independence was all about throwing off that kind of governance and the contemporary reasons reflect the BTDT knowledge of history for those who care to read and understand.
Alec MacGillis @AlecMacGillis
.@BuzzFeedBen notes another Jeb problem w/ right: he’s on board of gun-controlling, coal-killing Bloomberg Foundation
I have noticed that Fox news is spending a great deal of air time trying to repair the Bush brand before the primary election. They’re even appealing to conservatives to get on board the Jeb Express. I think Jeb is going to have his work cut out for him. There’s no way I’d vote for him instead of Cruz.
The entire Bush Family is super glued to serving the USCOC. People just now discovering the fact? It’s agenda preoccupied “W” his entire two terms. sheesh! Trade this trade that NAFTA this NAFTA that. FTTA this FTTA that. More big government this and that. Yeap just what we need another USCOC Bush... NOT!
“What has Jeb done to fight Obama? NADA”
His brother George and father George have done nothing either. It seems the entire family is satisfied with the current state of the nation.
Rush Limbaugh also hates Jeb. George was closer to Rush.
Michelle thoroughly and accurately eviscerated Jebbie.
“Bush Part III.” I love it.
Excellent column by Malkin. Speaks for me...
“U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Waterboy” is pretty much the job description for POTUS.
Way OVERDUE for America’s benefit would be a gutsy
Rush to step up and start naming names, to personalize the treacherous RINOs. Got to heartily commend Hannity for doing it to Boener finally last week. Sick and tired of Rush’s timidity to call out the Republican leadership by name. (Its probably because He’s afraid of being denied access to Washington; the very thing he accuses the compromised elected officials of falling prey tob.) At one time, Rush himself admitted regretfully that he had carried the water for the George Bush establishment republican administration. It is clear that Rush has been cowed in to not naming names. Rove needs to be smeared mercilessly, Jeb is practically crying out “verbally flog me” A face needs to be drawn on the RINOs. It needs to be made personal, because it truly IS personal.
The Wall Street Journal editors ( all in for illegal aliens taking American jobs), believe another Bush in the White House will be good for business wanting low wage workers.
Review & Outlook
Jeb Bush and the Right
His ideas aren’t a problem, but is he ready to fight for the job?
“As for immigration, Mr. Bush shouldn’t budge in his support for reform that welcomes newcomers who want to work in America consistent with the rule of law. Immigration isn’t the most important issue for most Republicans, beyond countering President Obama ’s recent decree, and Mr. Bush can make a strong case for reform that promotes economic growth and keeps the U.S. a magnet for talent.
Some GOP voters will consider that disqualifying, but pandering to restrictionists as Mitt Romney did in 2012 is a political killer. It would also betray Mr. Bush’s principles and undermine a large part of his political appeal. Mr. Bush should welcome an immigration debate in the primaries that would set him up to win more minority votes in November.”
http://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bush-and-the-right-1418774628
Not just no but hell NO!!!!!!
The 3rd generation is already warming up in Texas, with George P.
You left out Reggie.
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