The likelihood of drift from conservatism grows only stronger when the former governor wanders outside politics for eight years without frequently engaging (unlike, say, Ronald Reagan) in the arena at the top level of national policy debates.
Unlike even Ted Kennedy in 1979–80, who at least was carrying a clear ideological banner, Jeb Bush gives absolutely no indication that he is animated by a particular agenda or set of principles other than a vague sense that he wants to elevate the tone of the debate. He’s running a campaign of kinder-gentler redux, with another thousand points of light surely ready to shine through the mists of time.
The exceptions to his desire for an elevated tone, though, always seem to come when he’s disagreeing with those to the right of him. I’ve stood there myself just feet away from him as his supercilious disdain for the great unwashed hordes of conservative activists could be read from not only his lips but every bit of his body language.
Conservative activists can easily see it: Jeb dislikes us. Like father, like younger son.
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