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The Spectacle Blog
One of the most impressive appearances by a politician that I’ve ever seen was a speech that Jeb Bush gave a few years back at a National Review Institute event. I’m not terribly surprised that, given the weakness of the GOP field, the NR-niks who were in the room for that speech are now arguing that Jeb ought to jump into the 2012 presidential race; Rich Lowry and Kathryn Jean Lopez both have columns on the topic today (and John J. Miller has a profile of the former Florida governor in NR’s current print edition). Rich’s column in particular makes a strong case that Jeb is better off running this cycle than waiting for another opportunity down the line, and both of them argue that the name “Bush” isn’t as much a liability as it once was.
The problem is that it’s not just his name that would be a liability — it’s also Jeb’s loyalty to his brother. He pointedly and explicitly declined to criticize anything about the George W. Bush presidency in that NRI speech. “Compassionate conservatism” is decidely out of fashion these days; Republican primary voters are going to want to hear candidates distance themselves from the fiscal profligacy of the Bush years. It’s not clear that Jeb Bush would be willing to do that.
View all comments (43) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by John Tabin
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/02/07/draft-jeb
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FastJohnny| 2.7.11 @ 1:54PM
"The problem is that it's not just his name that would be a liability -- it's also Jeb's loyalty to his brother."
I am not so sure that is as much of a liability as it was in 2008 and with each day it becomes less and less, not because of anything Jeb or G.W.B does or says at this point in time, but because of what the current administration does and says everyday.
Salt Lake Ken| 2.7.11 @ 2:06PM
I was a Romney supporter until he started mixing it with evangelical christians. Mitt needed to focus on economic matters, his strength, but he fawns over evangelicals to get their vote, a big no no. Jeb is a good second choice instead of a right wing nut like Sarah Palin.
Al Adab| 2.7.11 @ 2:50PM
Of course in Salt Lake one might find a lot of Romney supporters. Out here, we remember that he is his father's son and that his father opposed Goldwater to the bitter end. We are quite tired of accomodationist Republicans which we have followed to defeat too many time. It is only when Conservatives prevail that the GOP has success. That said, Jeb Bush also fits the "moderate" category and we are tired of it.
Baldy| 2.7.11 @ 2:57PM
Yea,
Those rightwing nut jobs always trying to hold themselves to higher standard with the goal of having others do the same.
What are they thinking.
This country needs less of those who have the gall to try to elevate their morals and character and calling on others to do them same.
I would much rather have someone like McCain or Grahmnesty who will backhand their base once in a while just for the fun of it and cross the isle to side with those their base disagrees with.
You know, those who have no core.
Compared to those who do.
Moderates or independents if you will.
Yea, that's the ticket.
Al Adab| 2.7.11 @ 3:03PM
Thanks Baldy:
Coming from the opposition, your endorsement of Moderates should help focus the GOP on the Conservative Movement and its candidates. We appreciate the help.
Baldy| 2.7.11 @ 5:35PM
Tongue in cheek Al.
Might want to re-read.
Patty| 2.7.11 @ 10:44PM
It would help the reader if you would use the sarc/ tag.
tom| 2.7.11 @ 3:23PM
The LAST thing the GOP needs in 2012 is a Mormon cultist who is also a Northeastern liberal. Romeny is a candidate I will absolutely refuse to vote for; if it means a second Obama term, so be it.
Oh, and the ONLY reason I voted for McCain in 2008 was because of Sara Plain
BN_TX| 2.7.11 @ 2:07PM
Oh, please! Spare us more of this 'Compassionate Conservative' (read: Big Government) Garbage! We don't need any more Bushes just like we don't need any more Clintons. I thought we were trying to get away from aristocratic rule back in the 1700's.
Gravelagitator| 2.7.11 @ 3:12PM
Absolutely! We need to shake these "entitled" family names out of our politics. Another Bush, then another Clinton, then we'll have to give Michelle O a chance. Of course somewhere we'll have to dig up another Kennedy. Enough of this "Royal" bunch!
Martin| 2.7.11 @ 2:13PM
On domestic and foreign policy combined, Daddy Bush was in the bottom third of Presidents and W was bottom five. Jeb may well prove to be the least bad of the three, but that still doesn't get you very far. I'm enough of a believer in genetic inheritance to say if we must have a genetic re-run, Ron Reagan, annoying lib dem or not, would surely be better.
Al Adab| 2.7.11 @ 3:10PM
I would be interested in your qualitative standards by which you ranked the Presidents. What about the two who were impeached? What standards did you apply or is it simply personal preference?
Clint| 2.7.11 @ 2:14PM
Many of We Tea Party Patriots want to Draft Our Tea Party Kingmaker & Our Senate Point Man Senator Jim DeMint Of South Carolina.
Demint's Stronger Conservatism Can Eat Friend Romney's Lunch In The GOP Primaries.
Robbie| 2.7.11 @ 3:11PM
How does it make you feel that DeMint said he would endorse Jeb if he chose to run. DeMint said this in December.
Clint| 2.7.11 @ 4:28PM
Wrong.
DeMint Has Not Officially Endorsed Anybody.
Do Your Homework, DeMint has talked nicey,nicey about all The Republican Wannabe Possibles.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballo.....nt-goes-ea
"DeMint may not endorse any presidential candidate this cycle, one adviser told CNN - a far cry from his 2008 strategy, when he endorsed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney early on in the process.
Some in DeMint's orbit been asking him to at least consider running for president as early as last year. Since November's elections, DeMint has been working on finishing a new book set for publication this summer, "The Great American Awakening: Two Years that Changed America, Washington, and Me."
Peter Brown, a prominent South Carolina donor and a member of DeMint's kitchen cabinet, predicted that DeMint could warm to the idea of a White House bid as the rest of the field takes shape. Brown said potential candidates like Romney, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich are failing to generate any kind of broad excitement among conservatives. "
Occam's Tool| 2.7.11 @ 5:52PM
I Like DeMint Because He is Not A Vicious Antisemite Like Clint, Who is One With Dennis Kucinich on Foreign Policy.
Clint| 2.7.11 @ 6:09PM
Uh Oh ! Now The Fixated Israel Firster Tool Job Plays The Upgraded Vicious Anti-Semite Card On Tea Party Patriot Clint.
We Ain't Talkin' About Votin' For The Prime Minister Of Israel Here Obsessed Israel Firster Freakazoid Tool Job.
Occam's Tool| 2.9.11 @ 4:08PM
After the "sand monkey" comment, the antisemite card applies, Nazi boy. You are a Nazi. And a racist. And a scumbag. Punk.
I Survived Arlen Specter| 2.7.11 @ 2:32PM
Mr. Tabin, NRO (National RINOs Online) is run by ruling class establishment RINOs & not to be taken seriously. B.O. would smoke Jeb Bush if he is nominated in 2012 by The Stupid Party. Lowry's column is just another "Anyone But Palin" column. If The Stupid Party nominate a RINO they are toast!
Floyd Looney | 2.7.11 @ 2:36PM
No way.. No how... Uh Uh.... Oh Gawsh no... I think we all have had enough of the Moderates with the Conservative masks in the Bush family.
Too Many Tims| 2.7.11 @ 2:41PM
I may not be typical of GOP voters, but it would take a LOT to sell me on another Bush. That's as polite as I can be.
Patty| 2.7.11 @ 10:47PM
It's true you're not a typical GOP voter--you're far too nice about your objections to a third Bush POTUS candidacy.
Conservative Bob| 2.7.11 @ 2:49PM
300 plus million people.... and we have to return to the same family to find a president???? Without going near the good and bad of his father and brother... the fact he is from thier immediate family should exclude him just as anyone from the Clinton family or God help us the O family should ever hold the office.
If only for bio-diversity we much find someone else.
From the vantage point of political philosophy and policies only Conservatives need apply!
Al Adab| 2.7.11 @ 2:52PM
Many names are being bantered about. Yet, it is most important that we remember the What not yet the Who. When we define the first we will find the second. Principle over pragmatism any day.
Hook| 2.7.11 @ 2:59PM
I do not think that ultimately, as Martin says, W is in the bottom five. I am one of the very few who believes he was better than his father. I am very concerned about Romney being nominated even though he is very capable because he is not only a RINO which will hurt in the election, but because sadly lots of people are bigoted against Mormons.
I disagree a little with Mr. Tabin. I think the Republicans do have pretty capable candidates but some of them like Daniels or Thune are simply not the kind of celebrities we go for.
One thing IS clear to me. Obama is NOT a good president no matter what the media says, and I believe he will lose handily.
Wayne | 2.7.11 @ 4:49PM
I agree. I even blame the whole Iraq war on the father. And of course who can forget: "Read my hips"
Salt Lake Troll| 2.7.11 @ 3:10PM
Hey, that Sarah Palin sure is a whackjob, amiright? Yeah, I know that has nothing to do with Jeb Bush or NRO, but I could not resist.
/lifelong republican voted for Reagan and Bush twice but...
tom| 2.7.11 @ 3:24PM
The Bush family destroyed the GOP TWICE in the last twenty years.
Fool me one; shame on you.
Fool me twice; shame on me.
Fool me THREE times; I am a blithering idiot!!!
Wayne | 2.7.11 @ 4:48PM
NO MORE BUSHES!
That is rule number 1.
Rule number 2: No more children of politicians.
Rule number 3: No to any ruling elite.
Rule number 4: No to anyone who once again supports amnesty.
Rule number 5: No to neo-cons and globalists.
Rule number 6: See the first rule.
Red Phillips | 2.7.11 @ 5:00PM
Jeb is HORRIBLE on immigration.
Occam's Tool| 2.9.11 @ 4:12PM
Correct. Bolton is not.
Occam's Tool| 2.9.11 @ 4:14PM
Bolton is strong on everything, including ridding us of scum. I don't like tolerating scum.
WL| 2.7.11 @ 5:32PM
Good Grief...things never change.
I've voted Republican all of my life. Recently, I have been shunning the RNC and other fundraising republicans... There is hope that i will vote again in 2012...but I just don't know anymore.
If this bunch keeps this STUPID crap up...
I'm not voting for them anymore...and I don't care if the Democrats win for the next 40 years. These Republicans need to be gone.
Sorry folks...this is shaping up just the way we feared...
We have once again fallen for the Republican crap and handed them a little power in 2010...
just for them to Good Cop/Bad Cop us to death with the Democrats....
I'm with Palin...hell or high water...win or lose...chance or no chance...Crap on the rest of them.
Occam's Tool| 2.7.11 @ 5:53PM
You might want to look up Bolton---Palin with a 'Stache and a Yale degree.
Red Phillips | 2.7.11 @ 10:19PM
WL, what Occam means is that if you don't think Palin will plunge us into a disastrous war with Iran fast enough, Bolton is your man.
Occam's Tool| 2.9.11 @ 4:09PM
I can't wait for Bolton to get elected, Red. Will you start frothing like Clint?
Occam's Tool| 2.9.11 @ 4:11PM
Let me be precise, Red. For taking our embassy in 1979, Iran should be pounded into a parking lot yesterday. Had Carter done that, no Islamofascism today.
Bob Belvedere | 2.7.11 @ 7:26PM
With apologies to Lester Bangs....
WhiteBikerTrash| 2.7.11 @ 7:30PM
A good politician cannot be a good leader. A good leader cannot be a good politician. So why is it that we don't elect good leaders? The Bush family is not "Conservative". Isn't it still John McCains turn?
cali| 2.8.11 @ 2:30AM
Running another Bush is a sure way of giving Obama another 4 yrs to destroy this country.
Hook| 2.8.11 @ 4:35PM
Well John C Calhoun I think, spoke of the "Aristoi" which if I remember means people who are prominent and wealthy enough not to be owned by anyone. One can say the Bushes fall into that category, but not Obama--to put it mildly.
I was really taken aback when Obama refused to disavow the MB in the O'Reilly interview.
Patriot| 2.9.11 @ 12:29AM
Jeb's not a Conservative, so why would I vote for him?