On Friday, when we first gave voice to the idea of Jeb Bush for United States Senate, a number of readers and others opined against the idea. The general refrain was “We’re tired of Bushes.” There were some additional “amnesty” and “offshore drilling” chants thrown in, as well.
Let’s address these.
“We’re Tired of Bushes.”
It is a rather noxious notion in a democracy that any person would punish an innocent man for the crimes of his siblings or parents. In this case, it is noxious that we would show distain for a true conservative champion because people are tired of his brother.
In truth, George W. Bush’s track record is almost entirely composed of doing what he said he would do. . We can see this trend from his time as Governor of Texas through his two terms in the White House. Governor George Bush campaigned as a compassionate conservative. By 2004, it was pretty clear he was, to borrow from Fred Barnes, a “big government conservative” — never mind that such a creature does not actually exist.
We can see exactly the same trend, in exactly the opposite direction, from Governor Jeb Bush. Jeb Bush said he would govern as a conservative, and he did exactly that. For all the liberalism his brother pumped into conservatism in an attempt to show “compassion,” Jeb Bush has used legitimately conservative means to be compassionate.
Jeb Bush broke down educational barriers that limited poor children from receiving great educations. He broke down regulatory barriers that drove up the costs of building homes and starting businesses. He blew up legal barriers that made it difficult for free people to operate freely. He reined in the size of government. He stood up for the lives and rights of all individuals. He found and beat the unions. He did not falter, he did not fail, and he did not compromise in ways that set back the conservative agenda.
And he operated consistently for eight years.
The people who complain about his last name are happy to ignore his record because they would rather vent about his brother. Fine, then; let’s focus on the name. Jeb Bush ran two winning campaigns for Governor using his first name. In Florida, where it matters, his name isn’t “Bush” – it’s just “Jeb.” And he is still, in 2008, immensely popular.
After eight years of George Bush, the Republican brand is failing across the nation, including in places like Texas, but not, ironically, in Florida, where after eight years of Jeb the party is dominant and triumphant.
Let’s not keep a solid conservative down just because of who his brother happens to be. They both have clear, consistent records, and an examination of Jeb Bush’s record shows him to be a rock solid fiscal and social conservative who does not throw fellow conservatives overboard, even when it might be convenient for him.
Amnesty
Jeb Bush was, believe it or not, to the right of his brother on immigration issues. Admittedly, he is still to the left of many readers here; however, those who would reject him out-of-hand for that reason alone should keep in mind that both of Florida’s Senators were aligned with George W. Bush on the issue, and that their position was (and remains) popular in Florida.
Quite frankly, you’re kidding yourself if you think this is even going to be an issue by 2010. Barack Obama is far to the left of Jeb Bush on immigration. Having Jeb in the Senate, where he can lead the fight against a President hell-bent on full amnesty as a representative of a state filled with immigrants will be valuable.
Those who want someone more akin to Pat Buchanan or Tom Tancredo on immigration are going to be left in the cold here, because that sentiment simply will not win in Florida. We should all pick our battles wisely, and Jeb can win for all of us on this issue.
Off-Shore Drilling
It’s absolutely true that Jeb Bush had been opposed to offshore drilling, like the present Senators from Florida. But Jeb Bush’s position has evolved over time. After this year’s increase in gas prices, he became more open to compromise on the issue and more open to accessing Florida’s reserves.
Again though, how can this be an issue for you? Barack Obama intends to reinstitute the executive order banning offshore drilling, which takes this issue off the table. Jeb Bush will not be in a position to have any impact on the issue because of the Obama administration.
The Relevant Issues
To recap: the two issues that people oppose Jeb Bush on, immigration and offshore drilling, will be non-issues after 2010. Let’s look at other issues.
On taxes, Jeb Bush is in favor of lowering rates. On education, Jeb is for school choice, local control, expanded charter initiatives, etc., etc., etc. On life, he’s on the money. Same on judges. He also understands the needs of the Latino community better than most Republicans, and this is a key group the GOP needs now, and will need even more in the future.
In short, on every major tenet of the Republican platform, Jeb Bush is not just with the base, but has a solid conservative record to stand on. Every one of them. How do I know? I have looked at his eight year record of consistent conservative accomplishments in office.
Couple Jeb Bush’s continued popularity in Florida and his solid conservative record that spans eight years as Governor of Florida, and supporting of Jeb Bush for U.S. Senate is a no-brainer.
For conservatives who are tired of Bushes, the Bushes got into power with a lot of your support. You don’t fix your mistake by running from it. Fix your mistake by fixing it — embrace Jeb Bush and help redeem the image of a party largely hurt by its connection to the wrong Bush. Supporting Jeb Bush does, in fact, help rebuild the brand, and it does so in sharp to his brother.
We cannot expect Jeb to be critical of George. Family ties compel family support. Some of you would have Jeb repudiate George as a prerequisite for your support. That is foolish and impossible for a man who loves his family.
We can expect Senator Jeb Bush to act in a fashion consistent with how he acted when he was Governor Jeb Bush. That record is consistently conservative, and it is worthy of our support.
Please sign the petition below. Let’s be pro-active in building an army of activists for Jeb’s Senate run.
Just say no
SeriousLaff Monday, December 8th at 7:33AM EST (link)We don’t need to remind the public that the Bush family ever existed.
They were that bad and are disliked that much. Why not someone who may have a future as a presidential candidate? Not Jeb. The Bush name is pure poison.
Immigration will be an issue in 2010. If the Senate pushes amnesty during high unemployment or gives any other benefits to illegals there will be a huge outcry and this will be a huge issue.
As far as Jeb being a conservative, most Republicans in Florida will be just as conservative if not more so. The last we need is handing a senate seat to someone just because he can win. That’s how we get stuck with idiots like McCain.
Republicans can use this as an opportunity to rebuild from the ground up with new candidates, new ideas and fresh faces.
But Bush would be an easy winner and a conservative
Oz Monday, December 8th at 8:50AM EST (link)Bush would be an easy winner and a conservative.
He could raise his own money.
He could keep other GOP congressmen in their districts instead of killing each other in a GOP senate primary, etc.
Erick rightly points out that he is JEB in Florida and would have no trouble winning.
"The Bush name is pure poison"
Dave_in_Fla Monday, December 8th at 8:55AM EST (link)The only name that matters is “Jeb”. We vote for him, you don’t.
“If they were merely incompetent, then at least SOME of their actions would have been to the benefit of the country.” - Joe McCarthy
Jeb Bush
ggross56 Monday, December 8th at 8:42AM EST (link)As I said here, having Jeb Bush in the Senate would be great. He’s a conservative’s conservative & he’d quickly become the go to guy for the Senate GOP.
With all due respect, FLORIDIANS vote for Florida senators
Dave_in_Fla Monday, December 8th at 8:53AM EST (link)It doesn’t make a damn bit of difference whether the rest of the country is tired of the Bushes. Jeb is arguably the most popular Governor in Florida since Andrew Jackson. If he could run for a 3rd term, he would win.
The Senate seat is pretty much his for the asking, and Florida will give it to him because he has been an excellent Governor, not because of family.
It isn’t like the nutroots in California get to vote in our elections.
“If they were merely incompetent, then at least SOME of their actions would have been to the benefit of the country.” - Joe McCarthy
and here is where I agree with DaveinFla...
JadedByPolitics Monday, December 8th at 9:03AM EST (link)I wouldn’t vote for him BUT he is not in my state and I am now stuck with two Dems in what once was the proud Redstate of VA…..so anything to the right of these two guys in my state is a STEP UP!
Whoever has his enemy at his mercy &
does not destroy him is his own enemy
I thought you always agreed with me?
Dave_in_Fla Monday, December 8th at 9:10AM EST (link)Sheesh, you make it sound like agreeing with me is such a rare occurrence
Frankly, the problem with Virginia is the state party. Too many of the country club types from NOVA that were comfortable being cozy with the Old Warner. My ex-mother-in-law was one of them. The Gilmore nomination was a disaster.
“If they were merely incompetent, then at least SOME of their actions would have been to the benefit of the country.” - Joe McCarthy
Gilmore was a disaster
Scope Monday, December 8th at 9:58AM EST (link)I agree Dave. We didn’t stand a chance with him. Now we have another Warner who I have heard may just be to the right of John. Having Gilmore as our candidate was like having McCain as the national candidate, for both one voted the way they had to, however, unenthustically. We do have a great candidate for Governor in 2009, Bob McDonnell. Can’t wait for Kaine and his $3 billion dollar budget shortfall gets the heck out of Dodge.
Punishing one for another's mistakes
Scope Monday, December 8th at 9:00AM EST (link)I agree Erick that Jeb should not be punished for GW’s mistakes. If each of us got punished for other family member’s mistakes, I would hear screaming through the computer.
I do agree that the last name will unfortunately be an issue, but those that would not support Jeb for that reason alone, and do not look at his record, can vote for his opponent. It’s that simple. I have a few friends in Fla. that are not just Republican but conservative, and they loved Jeb as Governor, and would support him as a Senator. One friend was very impressed with his handling of some terrible hurricanes while he was in office. Did alot better than Blanco in Louisiana.
Jeb is the only good Bush.
newagegop Monday, December 8th at 10:01AM EST (link)I live in Florida and I desperately miss Jeb Bush…desperately…I weep in his absence sometimes because…I’VE GOT CHARLIE FREAKIN’ CRIST AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!
We in Florida remember a Bush that wasn’t a “compassionate conservative”. We knew a Bush who was a conservative with compassion. We saw hurricane after hurricane handled beautifully. We saw instinctual pro-life responses to Terry Shiavo (sp?). We saw a state boom despite stupid yankees moving here and bringing along their stupid viewpoints.
Jeb Bush would have been a better Prez. than his dad or his brother. It’s just a shame he will never get to prove it. He may never be President, but he can certainly be Senator. I will gladly vote for Jeb.
He was the smart, articulate, and truly conservative Bush. Sorry America but this Bush belongs to Florida. Ya know Jeb was Reaganesque, while Charlie…well he’s more like Jeb’s dad…yuck.
newagegop
Scope Monday, December 8th at 10:49AM EST (link)I especially love your comment where you talk about the Yankees moving their and bringing their viewpoints. Just say the truth- their Liberal viewpoints. I moved from up north many many years ago because evn back then I couldn’t stand their liberal ways of running state and local governments. I am no longer a Yankee, I consider myself a proud southerner. Unfortunately in VA we have had the same influx of northeastern liberals who came here for lower taxes, easier lifestyle, less backstabbing and etc and they also brought their liberal ideas and have now turned a state into what they left.
Yankee is a state of mind
newagegop Monday, December 8th at 11:31AM EST (link)Welcome brother to a southern state of mind. You’d think that wanting to escape their liberal cesspools would open their minds to why they were cellpools to begin with. Alas my homeowners association reveals otherwise.
Homeowners associations, like the Nazis, begin with such good intentions. Unfortuately when run by transplants from New Jersey become commie/facists organizations. Individuals be damned. You are a property value. A drone of the colllective. BTW I plan on moving as soon as the Pelosi, Franks, Reid, Obama recession ends…in about 4 years.
Anywho, big government bad…home owners associations bad. Freedom good even if freedom means your neighboor puts a flamingo in his yard.
newagegop
Scope Monday, December 8th at 11:46AM EST (link)Thanks for your very astitute reply but, I am a sister! LOL
Doh.
newagegop Monday, December 8th at 8:37PM EST (link)My bad…but you really can’t expect much from a racist, sexist, bigot homophobe conservative can you. Just kidding.
Sorry sister.
Amnesty
Scope Monday, December 8th at 10:38AM EST (link)I don’t agree that amnesty will be a non-issue in 2010, it will probably be a bigger issue, as Obama will most likely open the gates, send engraved invitations, and make everyone with their foot on our soil American citizens, eligible for all Government handouts and/or benefits. There will be no such thing as Sanctuary cities and fines on employers who hire illegals- everyone will be legal. That is how dire I see the Obama administration along with the Liberals in Congress. Those of us who have been against the immigration policies of the current administration will have our voices muted.
McCain was hated as our candidate because of his positions on the illegals for one. We all saw where that got McCain as far as Latino/Mexican votes. He could not get the votes of the legal immigrants, because many many of the legal immigrants don’t even want amnesty. So he lost both ways.
For the Republican party to move forward, which I hope and believe is moving in the direction of true Conservatism, we must attract the support of the legal Latino/Mexican population. Their numbers are large, and will grow more with the Libs. There is no reason why the Libs should have their votes. I have been in contact with a Latino couple from VA, who are more conservative than some self proclaimed die hard conservatives. Many here would recognize the name if I were in a position to broadcast it, they will do that themselves when their movement takes off. From their perspective, the reason the Dems. have gotten the majority of their votes this year is because the Republicans didn’t have any message. If anyone disagrees with that, please tell me what that message was according to McCain. Another reason is because the Dems. got to them first. Most still believe that the Democrats are for the little guy, and the Republicans are for the rich. The Republicans have done little to nothing to change that perspective with anyone. Those that I have personally spoken with recognize that the Democrats pander to them to gain their votes, and then leave them high and dry when in office.
I have great hope and enthusiasm for a new movement to take off here in VA, to embrace all legal citizens, and for it to spread across the nation. I will be doing all I can to make that happen here in my little corner of the nation.
9%?
SeriousLaff Monday, December 8th at 10:53AM EST (link)That is the unemployment rate for US citizen Hispanics. Higher for African Americans. Lost jobs last month was (Ibelieve) 500,000. Anyone honestly belive that these two groups resent that our government wants to import hundreds of thousands of new green card holders in spite of this?
We have a big opportunity to make immigration a big issue. Just tell the truth. Maybe we should target legal immigrants as potental voters. I’m sure they’re getting angy too.
Legal Immigrants
Scope Monday, December 8th at 11:52AM EST (link)SeriousLaff I don’t understand what you are saying in your post, but, I was referring to “legal” immigrants being brought into the Conservative fold. Yes, they are just as disgusted with the illegals.
Let me also add
Scope Monday, December 8th at 11:56AM EST (link)that so many small minds lump Latino/Mexican into one box mixing legal and illegal as though the terms are synonymous.
Before the 2000 election..
SeriousLaff Monday, December 8th at 10:42AM EST (link)Everyone was saying that GW was more conservative than Jeb. In Texas he may have been. As President he was just like his father. There is no reason to think Jeb would be any better. I have no reason to believe tha President Jeb would have done ANYTHING differently if he had been in the oval office.
My point earlier is that nobody should move out of the way for Jeb Bush (like the Kennedys think should happen in NY) . i don’t care if he can win. We need new faces. Not a reminder of a past that 75% of Americans want to forget.
I don't remember anybody saying that
Erick Erickson Monday, December 8th at 10:47AM EST (link)I don’t remember a single person making that case. In fact, searching Lexis/Nexis does not yield anything like that except from Texas Republicans.
In fact, searching Lexis/Nexis I find a lot of people in 2000 wishing it were Jeb and not George getting the nomination.
Who will stand on either hand and keep this bridge with me?
GW was and is....
Dan McLaughlin Monday, December 8th at 10:57AM EST (link)…more conservative than his father. As president he’s been exactly the same, on domestic policy, as he was as TX-GOV. As for Jeb, Jeb can run on his own record.
“No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong.” - Winston Churchill
I remember..
SeriousLaff Monday, December 8th at 10:59AM EST (link)During the Governors races when GW won and Jeb lost. The MSM was saying that Jeb was a better candidate and GW was more conservative than Jeb and their father was.
Eiither way, so what? We don’t need to pick candidates only because they might win, lets go for the ones that are really who we want elected.
Reply To This is your friend, SeriousLaff.
Moe Lane Monday, December 8th at 11:02AM EST (link)If you’re having difficulty remembering that, slow down your posting rate.
Check out my new blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://twitter.com/moelane
Sorry.
SeriousLaff Monday, December 8th at 11:38AM EST (link)My memory is fine.
I was getting responses as fast as I was posting.
I won’t be back. Stop sending the ads.
Bye.
Huh?
garhighway1 Monday, December 8th at 6:10PM EST (link)Quote: “By 2004, it was pretty clear he was, to borrow from Fred Barnes, a “big government conservative” — never mind that such a creature does not actually exist.”
So we had an IMAGINARY President? We were ruled by a unicorn?
Really?
Gar
Jeb may be the best thing to ever happen to the GOP,
olsmithie Monday, December 8th at 9:26PM EST (link)but the thought of “reading the lips” of another “compassionate conservative”, frankly causes my stomach to churn in a most unpleasant fashion.
The other 2 Bushes were sold to us as the best thing since sliced bread.
I am personally disinclined to find out if the third Bush is better. Particularly with some real conservatives possibly appearing to run in 2012.
Perhaps I am wrong. ‘Tis my right.
Regards
Jeb would be welcome
GregInFla Monday, December 8th at 11:18PM EST (link)As a Floridian, I’ll take Jeb over anyone else right now as my US Senator. If he could still be governor, he would be. If you lived in Florida during the hurricanes of 2004, you would know why. Sometimes term limits work against the good guys instead of the bad guys (e.g. Blomberg, Putin).
No one is saying Jeb for Pres, just Jeb for Senate.
– A true evolutionist would let endangered species die off. Anyone care to change sides?
As for me and my family: we want Obama to fail!
I will go to the mat on this with any of you if I have to, but
jeffreywturner Tuesday, December 9th at 1:36AM EST (link)I for one am sorry to see Dubya leaving.
My wife and I are veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns, respectively, and having served under both the Clinton and Bush 43 adminstrations, I will say that it was a night and day difference in the way we and our fellow servicemembers were treated under the two administrations.
Just an anecdote:
Clinton came to the base I was at near the end of his term and he went out of his way to avoid any and all contact with servicemembers. He never returned salutes unless a camera was on him. Dubya on the other hand visited shortly after his first inauguration (ie: PRIOR to 9/11). He, like Clinton, was only passing through on the way to another engagement, but he took the time to speak to, and press the flesh with the servicemembers (several hundred) who were present. It was not mandatory for us, but we had the chance to meet a President up close and we did. Air Force One taxied right up to where we were gathered and he came down and spoke for a few minutes, thanking us for our service, and then walked around amongst us for a few minutes and chatted, shook hands, posed for pictures, etc. He and a couple of secret service agents were the only civilians there, no media at all, and mind you again, this was PRIOR to 9/11 when patriotism breifly became fashionable.
The fact that President-Designate (until 12/15) Obama forgot the name of the soldier whose bracelet he was wearing and actually had to look down and read it during his debate with McCain indicates to me that he, like Clinton, Obama is likely to only appreciate the military when the cameras are on him, but we shall see.
Perhaps this is my bias as a vet (and husband to a much better-looking vet!), but I admire Dubya, and I think that as American’s get a taste of the real destructive potential of European style socialism over the next 4 years, their memories and attitudes toward Dubya will mellow, and perhaps, just perhaps, despite the media’s best efforts, we will realize that on balance, Dubya did the best that could be expected when faced with the challenges he has dealt with.
Also, one other thing, I will miss is the cringe of the media when Dubya throws out some scripture at them, or talks openly about his faith. I know the reason they hate it so much is that when Dubya says it, they know he actually believes in it and it isn’t just for show, and that just burns them up more than anything (their hatred of Palin seems to be based in this same type of disgust with true Christianity).
“Life is too short, can’t we all just eat pork and kill some terrorists?”
If I didn't know better...
jeffreywturner Tuesday, December 9th at 12:58AM EST (link)I would say that it looks like a bunch of you folks are finally coming around to my position on “amnesty” or “illegal immigration” or however you wish to describe the issue.
Even Mr. Erickson himself seems to see that a “tough on illegals” position is a loser in a state like Florida and that there are more important issues at stake (ie: the blatant murder of innocent babies under the guise of a fabricated “constitutional” right), so perhaps we should stop imposing ideological purity tests and start supporting candidates who can win.
Now, how about we simply apply that same logic on the Presidential level and ask ourselves “What GOP candiate can win without Florida, Colorado, Arizona & New Mexico?”
I have been screaming this and it seems Karl Rove and Dick Morris are the only ones who hear me. These guys are a combined 4 for 4 on Presidential elections, so I am inclined to think they have a good approach. They know latino voters are Republicans waiting to happen if only we can get past this issue.
We beat the CRAP out of ourselves on illegal immigration. We alienated a huge and growing segment of swing voters and we didn’t even get any law and order votes out of it because we failed to pass anything. At least if we had passed a strict enforcement-only bill with a fortified wall, etc, we would have gotten a boost from increased turn-out among the base, but we didn’t even do that. Or, if we had passed Bush’s amnesty bill, we would have suffered depressed turnout, but we might have built on Bush’s progress with latinos, but we didn’t do that either.
Again, sorry to ramble, and I am glad to see the openess to Jeb’s candidacy, but please, we simply HAVE to come up with a workable position on immigration that will placate the base, without exposing us to charges by the Dems & media (redundant I know) that we are “xenophobes”, etc.
“Life is too short, can’t we all just eat pork and kill some terrorists?”
Being conservative exposes us to the left and has since Ike
Mike gamecock DeVine Tuesday, December 9th at 1:07AM EST (link)They called him a fool. They said Reagan was a racist. We can never placate the media. Never, unless we become them.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
btw, we have won 7 of the last 11 prez elections despite that fact
Mike gamecock DeVine Tuesday, December 9th at 1:08AM EST (link)1
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
And which of those elections featured an anti-illegal immigration GOP candidate?
jeffreywturner Monday, December 15th at 1:18AM EST (link)Perhaps Bush 41 was a “closed borders” candidate, but I doubt it. Certainly Reagan and Bush 43 were both pro-amnesty.
I do agree with the point that we have been able to “overcome” media bias several times, but just think how much more conservative our candidates could be without it. Just imagine if we could “call it like it is” on hot-button issues. Not only that, but the problem is worsening, not getting better. By that, I mean that we witnessed the death of journalism in 2008. Sure Reagan dealt with a liberal press, but they weren’t openly cheering against American interests and for the Dems as they did this time. My sincere hope is that the MSM will simply wither and die. That is happening to the print media already and I hope the network news media is next.
If we can find a way around the media, then we could articulate a sensible immigration position and win with it, but as long as it goes through that filter, I just think we need to prioritize and pick our battles.
BTW, how bout them Tigers?
“Life is too short, can’t we all just eat pork and kill some terrorists?”
I will leave this arguement for the masters of campaigning
DONTREADONME Tuesday, December 9th at 1:15AM EST (link)but I just can not get over the fact that the whole arguement is against “illegal” immigration. Yet, we bring to the table that these people broke the law and all of a sudden it is a losing platform, I will concede that I do not understand this whole new thing about ignoring the law and the U.S. Constitution but as someone pointed out to me the other day ‘pull up a seat at the bar, our group gets together every night”.
You take a mortal man, and put him in control, watch him become a god, watch peoples heads aroll; just like the pied piper led “Democrats” in the streets, dancing like marionettes, swaying to the symphony of destruction.