Jeb Bush: Media focus on 2016 presidential race like “crack addicts”
posted at 8:41 am on March 11, 2013 by Ed Morrissey
It’s difficult to argue with Jeb Bush on this point, too. We only just finished the 2012 presidential election, which occupied most of 2011, too. Appearing on Meet the Press yesterday, David Gregory asked Bush to handicap the 2016 election while we’re still 20 months away from the next midterms. After laughing out loud, Bush described the media as “crack addicts“:
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Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), growing tired about speculation over a 2016 White House run and his relationship with one-time protégé Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), called the media a bunch of “crack addicts.”
“Man you guys are crack addicts. You really are obsessed with all these politics. Marco Rubio is a great guy,” Bush told NBC’s David Gregory, after the “Meet the Press” host asked him about who is Florida’s hottest politician.
Gregory was momentarily taken aback.
“Sir, I’ve been called a lot of things…” Gregory began before Bush amended his response.
“OK, heroin addict. Is that better?” Bush said.
Earlier, Bush dismissed the idea that the American public might have Bush fatigue, and insisted that history would treat his father and brother well:
When asked whether the legacy of his brother, former President George W. Bush, who has a higher unfavorable than favorable rating, would be a liability, Bush said no.
“I don’t think there’s any Bush baggage at all. I love my brother. I’m proud of his accomplishments. I love my dad. I’m proud to be a Bush and if I run for president it’s not because of something in my DNA that compels me to do it,” Bush said on “Fox News Sunday” after host Chris Wallace cited a poll showing the former president with a 49 percent unfavorable rating.
“It would be that it’s the right the thing to do for my family, that the conditions are right and that I have something to offer,” he added.
Bush took his name out of consideration in the lead-up to the 2012 Republican presidential primary. He has kept his name in the mix this year, however, and people close to him say he is considering the prospect of a White House campaign much more closely than before the last election cycle.
Sounds as though the media aren’t the only addicts in play here. On paper, minus the surname, Bush makes an excellent candidate — very popular in an enormously important swing state, three successful terms as governor, and a national profile. Regardless, that surname identifies Bush with an older establishment that is evaporating in the GOP. Whether that’s fair or not, it’s not easy to see how Bush can make an argument that he represents a newer Republican Party that wants to look forward to a new leadership group.
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When you’re talking about principles it is…
Kaptain Amerika on May 1, 2013 at 3:23 PM
The middle is the muddiest road.
Schadenfreude on May 1, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Sure, if by “bypartisan” and “Compromise” you mean “do whatever the heck the Soros agenda says to do.
Yeah, then the media and leftists will love you. Good luck with that 2016 bid, Governor. Maybe you can challenge Hillary in the primary. Heaven knows Biden won’t.
Vanceone on May 1, 2013 at 3:24 PM
You beat me to it.
oldleprechaun on May 1, 2013 at 3:24 PM
Well…he certainly is an expert at compromising his principles.
squint on May 1, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Compromise isn’t a dirty word….except when it means capitulating to the Democrats. If that’s really CRISTie’s angle for 2016, he may as well save himself the effort. A squishy RINO is not going to win the Presidency. How many times is the GOP gonna run them out there before figuring that out?
Doughboy on May 1, 2013 at 3:27 PM
To quote a rather rotund governor:
“Bullshit!”
Resist We Much on May 1, 2013 at 3:28 PM
The word itself isn’t. And that’s not the baseline, anyway.
Surrendering principles is an ACT, which is far more weighing.
Liam on May 1, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Heh, it seems you got there first, Kaptain America! (Confound my slow-ass computer!)
squint on May 1, 2013 at 3:29 PM
But sellout is.
meci on May 1, 2013 at 3:30 PM
To me, consensus seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects.
Margaret Thatcher
If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.
Margaret Thatcher
jimfreedom on May 1, 2013 at 3:32 PM
As in compromise your security?
Compromise a secret?
Missouri Compromise?
Compromise your principles?
Generally, as a verb…to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal,jeopardize.
Yep.
coldwarrior on May 1, 2013 at 3:36 PM
Slow walking us to full blown socialism in the name of compromise. Why is it that compromise always means to veer to the left?
ButterflyDragon on May 1, 2013 at 3:36 PM
Thank you J. Capehart – you offered Cruz the best campaign slogan possible!!! That is the best ‘compromise’.
Schadenfreude on May 1, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Christie is a liberal under the Republican banner.
“Compromise” is simply him being what he truly is but won’t admit: Him being a liberal Democrat if only at heart.
Liam on May 1, 2013 at 3:38 PM
This is the leader we need.
-KingGold
portlandon on May 1, 2013 at 3:38 PM
There are somethings that a principled person cannot and should not compromise on.
If one is to use the definition the democrats use for compromise then I wouldn’t want to engage in it on those topics where compromise normally migh be feasible.
iamsaved on May 1, 2013 at 3:38 PM
My Dad would say, middle of the roaders have a white stripe down their back.
Paul-Cincy on May 1, 2013 at 3:39 PM
“Compromise”
It is a dirty word if the Left is forced to do it.
And its a dirty word for the GOP because its leadership chronically compromises what should be its principles to appease the dems.
hawkeye54 on May 1, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Person A wants to cut off both the arms of Person B.
Person B doesn’t want either of their arms cut off.
Compromise is stupid for Person B.
This isn’t difficult to understand.
blink on May 1, 2013 at 3:40 PM
He be right…stinky…skunks, one and all, squishes.
Schadenfreude on May 1, 2013 at 3:40 PM
Principles is not a dirty word.
rhombus on May 1, 2013 at 3:41 PM
Compromise = Con Promise
portlandon on May 1, 2013 at 3:43 PM
Compromise… in the sense of negotiating and reaching a fair and equitable solution to a problem within the parameters of the law is not a ‘dirty word’.
However, compromise, as in ‘I’m going to compromise you, your principles and/or the rule of law’ IS.
thatsafactjack on May 1, 2013 at 3:43 PM
But getting all handsy with a Democratic President less than a week before the election for your own political benefit is..
Discuss.
Illinidiva on May 1, 2013 at 3:44 PM
I can’t believe I originally liked this guy.
How about when you put the word together with another word?
Is it a good thing to “compromise your integrity”?
dentarthurdent on May 1, 2013 at 3:46 PM
I don’t care what he does to get reelected as governor of New Jersey.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Don’t you mean deep blue New Jersey?
I just don’t care about New Jersey politics, even though I was born there.
rbj on May 1, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Don’t miss this.
Schadenfreude on May 1, 2013 at 3:47 PM
The Muslims insist we either convert to Islam or they will kill us.
What’s your compromise on that one tubby?
dentarthurdent on May 1, 2013 at 3:48 PM
There is nothing wrong with compromising as long as you keep your behind in NJ !
burrata on May 1, 2013 at 3:48 PM
In the Defense world, a “security compromise” is most definitely not a good thing.
dentarthurdent on May 1, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Ditto and ditto on compromise being a dirty word. It only means one thing when a Republican begins to tout it: capitulation to Democrats on principles and policies.
INC on May 1, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Oh, come on. You realize Christie paved the way for Scott Walker, right to work in Indiana and Michigan, the whole suite of PEU rollbacks? In a deep blue state with powerful Unions. Expecting the guy to be Texas’ version of a conservative is just stupid.
Clark1 on May 1, 2013 at 3:54 PM
For the first time in my life, I am sure that if certain politicians attain the Republican nomination for the Presidency, I will not -in the absence of a worthy independent- be voting in that election.
Christie is one of those politicians.
M240H on May 1, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Yeah, but fat f$ck traitor with no values and no spine is, you rino bastard!
RovesChins on May 1, 2013 at 3:54 PM
Precisely that….its the exact and long held definition of “Compromise” to RINOs.
hawkeye54 on May 1, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Well at this point he is the most conservative
RepublicanDemocrat New Jersey has to offer.DDay on May 1, 2013 at 3:55 PM
Where’s all the Cruz haters on our side who will for sure get their panties wet for this spineless rino?
RovesChins on May 1, 2013 at 3:56 PM
Bullsh**. Especially on the Walker assertion.
M240H on May 1, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Doesn’t speak to me, gridlock is a wonderful option compared to Obama’s first two years. Y’all see where John Nolte undressed his fat azz last night on twitter over his rewrite of the Sandy relief bill? Christie claimed he was pushing for pork free version that was never produced after his harangue prior to the election. Total fraud the fat man is.
DanMan on May 1, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Really?
D-fusit on May 1, 2013 at 3:57 PM
I have my standards. :-)
Liam on May 1, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Needed to fulfill the fat person video quota for the day?
Aquateen Hungerforce on May 1, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Snookie and The Situation approved this message!
D-fusit on May 1, 2013 at 4:00 PM
“Traitor” isn’t a dirty word, either … but it describes a despicable, lowlife, back-stabbing, moronic POS.
Go away, traitor. Far, far away. You can deport yourself to Jakarta with your best buddy.
ThePrimordialOrderedPair on May 1, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Christie didn’t build that … ALEC did.
M240H on May 1, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Do you think we could get a comment from Ann Coulter? I do believe I saw over at Townhall recently. They got no scruples and will obviously let anyone write for them.
NOMOBO on May 1, 2013 at 4:02 PM
oops, it was Joel Pollack, not John Nolte. Sometimes I get my legitimate newsbreakers mixed up since there’s only a few…
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/04/30/chris-christie-tries-to-rewrite-history-of-hurricane-sandy-relief-bill-n1583062
Twitchy had the complete thread earlier.
DanMan on May 1, 2013 at 4:03 PM
Apparently, some people expect you to compromise your standards….
dentarthurdent on May 1, 2013 at 4:03 PM
King Gold? is that you?
DanMan on May 1, 2013 at 4:04 PM
whoop!
DanMan on May 1, 2013 at 4:05 PM
The meaning of compromise is determined by the starting point of the two positions. If I am a terrorist and say that I will kill you and you are a liberal flake and say lets compromise what does that mean? I don’t want to think of where that will leave me. If you are a virgin and I want to rape you and we compromise where does that leave you? Haven’t we as conservatives learned that there is no compromise with liberals because once you give in an inch they use that as their NEW compromise position. Have you ever noticed that we are the ones that always compromise? Did we see any compromise on Obamacare? Is there going to be any compromise on same sex marriage? For the Fat One to use that terrible phrase shows that he will never become president.
inspectorudy on May 1, 2013 at 4:06 PM
Outstanding ad…like it or not…
Redford on May 1, 2013 at 4:08 PM
No, compromise isn’t a dirty word.
But traitor is.
beatcanvas on May 1, 2013 at 4:11 PM
Yeah … right. He skipped the biggest act of his pathetic tenure – walking hand-in-hand with the America-hating, dog-eating Indonesian Imbecile while Jersey sucked air and had gas lines miles long following Sandy, along with rejecting help from other states because the non-union guys wouldn’t join the union just to volunteer to help Jersey out.
The ad blew. It was a typical, lying political ad. Christie has no principles. He allied with the biggest threat to America and got NOTHING in return. NOTHING. But he did manage to help throw the election and insure America’s end. Good stuff.
ThePrimordialOrderedPair on May 1, 2013 at 4:16 PM
Apparently today he had to have schoolchildren cover there ears so he could call Bullsh!t. Come on, you’re a grown man, come up with a suitable substitute. Horse Hockey!!!
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Just what I thought. In politics, there are no dirty words.
NJ? Just keep him inside your borders, okay?
Fallon on May 1, 2013 at 4:22 PM
“Sex isn’t necessarily dirty – but it is if you’re doing it right.”
– Woody Allen
mojo on May 1, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Now, now, his need for the national taxpayer money was more important than the nation. Can’t take the chance of the spigot being turned off, even temporarily for an administration transition.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2013 at 4:23 PM
Ann didn’t squirt, did she?
Thomas More on May 1, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Can’t waste any more energy on this blob unless he goes national
He has a gig: hug Obama, and money poops out in his direction
Obama gets a pretty good return, since he uses our money to feed Porkie. Porkie uses the blow to get re elected. Obama used it the same way
Essentially, if you keep it local, it runs like clockwork orange
entagor on May 1, 2013 at 4:34 PM
Nothing good has ever come out of NJ.
Ever.
Christie is just a fat orange loser.
The rest of America is not the Jersey Shore.
tetriskid on May 1, 2013 at 4:39 PM
He doesn’t even qualify as a Texas version of a Republican.
Cindy Munford on May 1, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Where are all those people who kept telling the Christie detractors that he really was a Conservative? Then they moved to calling him a blue state Conservative. Now I guess he’s a Republican with some conservative fiscal positions or is he a RINO who loves him some reach across the aisle action?
katiejane on May 1, 2013 at 4:45 PM
That’s because NJ is all about free crap.
When Joplin, MO was hit by tornadoes or TN was flooded they got jack.
Blue-state mentality.
tetriskid on May 1, 2013 at 4:46 PM
“Compromise isn’t a dirty word”
…BUT despicable LEFTIST RINO TRAITOR and OBOZO suck-up are ALL BAD.
TeaPartyNation on May 1, 2013 at 4:46 PM
When we had horses, everyone got an object lesson in the middle of the lane.
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice…And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
IlikedAUH2O on May 1, 2013 at 5:03 PM
At least Obama can push himself away from the table when the time comes.
IlikedAUH2O on May 1, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Not a chance,… to play to his cross over dem voters, he savages the conservatives when ever given a chance, THEN claims to be a “nicer” conservative..
Ted Cruz or I”m going with the Conservative party, done with the Boehners running the GOP into irrelevancy.
One vote may not matter, but after Romney, when the rank and file had him pushed on us, with the media complicit only to turn around and use his own past against him, just as we predicted..
Christi has played by their set of rules too much to be ever trusted by the majority of the conservative base.. he’ll get some, they always do..
But like many did last time, I’ll vote 3rd party or not at all in a real conservative is not nominated.. I am done being stuck with the MSM choice of who they want to be a sacrificial goat for their automatic trashing once they win the nomination.
The media doesn’t even hide that they are rigging elections through negative ads (news features) strangely all about the republican, while they laugh and smirk with the democrat.
When the numbers were close, Christi kicked the legs out from under the GOP, groveling at Obama’s greatness..
He does not deserve anything but the contempt of fair minded people. The “conservative hope” in NJ is just another hack pol who threw his party under the bus without a second thought..
He’ll attract the base Romney vote immediately..
We can’t let multiple candidates split our votes again, or he’ll be the media’s choice.
mark81150 on May 1, 2013 at 5:04 PM
so we have to swallow a guy who attacks and betrays us,.. because some blue state voters love him?
Why not nominate Olympia Snowe or Lindsy Graham if that is your standard..
Why nominate someone who represents us at all?
Picking a squish cost us two elections..
NOT A THIRD dammit.. not again throwing away a win to ask for the respect of the left that we will never get? Even when they get nominated the only thing the media asks them to do, is attack us, the party’s most activist loyal base, and they always do..
Name one damned time, a liberal democrat has been asked on national TV to repudiate his left wing base..
just once..
mark81150 on May 1, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Compromise isn’t a dirty word but capitulation for political expediency sure is.
fight like a girl on May 1, 2013 at 5:16 PM
Actually it is when your compromising with “stupid” and “immoral” and “petty, jealous, fearful” etc, etc, etc.
WryTrvllr on May 1, 2013 at 5:16 PM
There are lots of things you can compromise on, and lots of things you can’t. But when you hear a politician talking up the value of compromise, he’s almost always rationalizing the wrong kind of compromise.
And I see the little caption there about “the most education funding ever.” Clearly confusing the amount of spending on education with the actual education being accomplished. Absolutely typical of the left. It does not speak well for a Republican to adopt the same measuring stick.
There Goes the Neighborhood on May 1, 2013 at 5:25 PM
who’s this rockstar? welcome aboard!
DanMan on May 1, 2013 at 5:30 PM
per Cruz’s recent compliment of Palin…”she drives the media bat crap crazy”, nobody would have faulted him except that media had he said bat sh!t but the fact is he didn’t, like my mom would do.
DanMan on May 1, 2013 at 5:34 PM
I remember when everyone here loved the guy, while I told you all he would betray you.
Who was right?
The GOP will betray you
True_King on May 1, 2013 at 5:49 PM
Christie can stay in New Jersey.
GarandFan on May 1, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Put that slogan on a picture of Neville Chamberlain….
PersonFromPorlock on May 1, 2013 at 5:59 PM
Okay boys and girls….let’s use the word ‘compromise’ in a few sentences:
I had to compromise my principles.
I had to compromise my morals.
I had to compromise my integrity.
See, it isn’t so bad, is it?
olesparkie on May 1, 2013 at 6:08 PM
Christie has been compromised.
Flange on May 1, 2013 at 6:19 PM
Fat busturd.
avagreen on May 1, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Compromise isn’t a dirty word.
Appeasement is.
Backstabbing is.
Traitor is.
You’re all three fat man. We all saw you on that beach losing your virginity to the rat-eared coward. We heard your endorsement of the rat-eared coward. We all know that you ditched events with Romney when it mattered most. We all know that your first call the night of the election was to the rat-eared coward and only got around to sending Romney an e-mail the next day.
May your lifestyle soon catch up with you and you suffer the massive heart attack that is clearly headed your way.
Happy Nomad on May 1, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Aside from the perfunctory Mark Levin style purity test reaction to Christie, let me say this. I live in NJ and Democrat Politicians and Public Employees and Unions HATE him. HATE. Why? He’s owned them at every turn. If he has to engage in political rhetoric that hurts your delicate sensibilities to get the job done, so be it. Levin and Limbaugh don’t have to live here and govern. He’s a winner and we need winners.
AYNBLAND on May 1, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Nobody is asking the fat traitor to leave your crappy state. But let’s not pretend he’s a Republican. Let’s not pretend he endorsed the rat-eared coward on that beach where they toured the damage to million dollar vacation homes of the wealthy. If you love Christie, keep him. Just remove him from the national stage.
Happy Nomad on May 1, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Actually, Chris Christie for president 2016 is a VERY dirty word.
Compromising on principle is what I have been doing for it seems like
decades every time I vote for a rino. And I abhor it. So much so that next go around I will NOT vote for a RINO. I don’t care if Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson are on the opposing side. I will not vote at all unless there is a solid conservative choice; right now I am thinking Rand Paul and/or Ted Cruz. That may change, however, I doubt it. They are the only ones sticking their conservative necks out and taking the heat.
Amjean on May 1, 2013 at 9:24 PM
FIFY.
Difficultas_Est_Imperium on May 1, 2013 at 11:44 PM