Report: Jeb Bush “seriously considering” Senate run to replace Martinez
posted at 8:05 pm on December 2, 2008 by Allahpundit
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I’m reeling, but that’s probably because I can’t get over his growing resemblance to Chevy Chase.
Two sources close to Jeb Bush, including one who has spoken to the former Florida governor within the past few hours, say he is seriously considering a run for Senate now that incumbent Republican Mel Martinez has retired.
“He is receiving a lot of encouragement from both in and out of the state,” an longtime Bush adviser said tonight. “He is going to take his time and approach this very methodically.” Bush will weigh, according to this adviser, how a run would impact his family, his business, and whether the Senate would be the best platform for the causes he’d advocate — education, immigration, GOP solutions to health care and energy.
He sure didn’t sound like a Senator in the making earlier this year, noted Geraghty this morning. Maybe not, but that’s probably because he thought his political prognosis was terminal. Now, suddenly, he has an opportunity right in his backyard, just as the cancer on his last name’s about to go into remission and leave him with two years to redefine himself as more of a Bush 41 than a Bush 43. No wonder he’s leaping at the chance. Exit question: Does Crist appoint him to Martinez’s seat if Amnesty Mel quits early, or is Jeb better off lying low for awhile to let Dubya fade away before reintroducing the Bush brand?
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I hear the “no monarchy” and “no dynasty” points, but in point of fact if a leader is elected in a fair and public process, you don’t have either by definition.
The pooling of money, power and influence in selected families is a problem. I take it as a healthy sign in our political environment that the Bush name seems to be more of a drag for Jeb than his name recognition, webs of influence etc. can easily overcome.
That’s why the Senate route seems like one of the only viable routes to Pennsylvania Avenue if he wants it. He can’t “inherit” the role (e.g., monarchies) in the next election. He can serve in another office on the national stage, develop a record on the national economy, foreign policy, etc. and then run in a competitive primary if he chooses. He will have a leg up on the opposition with his family, political and fundraising relationships. He will also be sailing into a headwind of “not Bush III!” and media bias based on his surname.
I give it a 50% chance we’ll see a Senator Bush, and 10% he’ll end up in the White House.
We’ll see in 8 years or so.
cs89 on December 3, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Just say no to Jeb Bush! No more Bushes. The United States isn’t a monarchy.
Do you live in Florida? no? then STFU. I despise political carpetbaggers who think they can come in and tell us what we need to do.
If do you live in Florida, then encourage your favorite candidate to throw their hat in the ring. Who knows? I might come to agree with you and vote for them.
I R A Darth Aggie on December 3, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Well I won’t say I’m excited, but then again, he’s a different guy, no?
He’s not his father nor his brother. If the people of FL want him, then they have every right to elect him.
He can’t be any worse than what we’ve had already.
Badger40 on December 3, 2008 at 11:03 AM
They said the same things when John Quincy Adams ran.
A monarchy is inherited. The presidency is not.
Badger40 on December 3, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Does Jimmy Carter ring a bell?
Wade on December 3, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I don’t live in Florida and will gladly tell you often what you need to do. That is my right as an American and certainly my right when it comes to offering opinion as it realtes to someone who could possibly be a United States Senator.
You can stick your ‘STFU’ and go crawl in a swamp.
As for Bush, the GOP has seen enough of the Bush family. I give them high marks for public service but it is time to move on.
grdred944 on December 3, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I’m thrilled that Jeb may run for the US Senate. He was very popular in Florida as Governor and I’m sure he still is. He is very well-spoken (unlike someone else we know) and doesn’t back down in news conferences. Love him! I hope he runs!!!
GOPG8R on December 3, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Agreed, just like we needed to move past everything Kennedy, we also need to move past everything Bush and/or Clinton. Wasn’t Obama supposed to usher in some kind of change people were demanding?
Sultry Beauty on December 3, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Jeb is the best of the Bushes.
Captain America on December 3, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Correct but considering that GHW Bush was a prototypical country club Arabist Republican and GW Bush was a quasi liberal – that is not setting the bar too high.
Hilts on December 3, 2008 at 10:32 PM
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