Jeb Bush doesn't have a Mitt Romney problem

In fact, the idea that there might be such thing as “a Mitt Romney problem” for future Republican candidates is tough to believe. Romney’s struggles in 2012 had three major dimensions:

Timing: Romney had the misfortune to run at a time when job growth was strong enough that the fundamentals favored an Obama victory, but when memories of the recession were fresh enough that a career laying off workers in private equity was unpopular.

Opponent: Given that Obama had few personal ties to the corporate world, it was tough for Romney to try to turn around the president’s attacks. Assuming Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, that won’t be the case at all in 2016. Not only is the first Clinton administration tied to Wall Street icons like Robert Rubin, Clinton herself has had a cozy relationship with the finance industry—both in terms of the paid speeches she’s given at places like Goldman Sachs, and in terms of her rhetoric, much to progressive chagrin. Add to that her considerable personal wealth, and she isn’t well-positioned to make the sorts of “fat cat” attacks that worked well for Obama.

Messaging: Nor did Romney do himself any favors. From “corporations are people” to “I like being able to fire people,” Romney was drawn to gaffes that highlighted Obama’s narrative about him like a moth to a flame. His self-immolation in the form of his 47 percent remarks was spectacular.