In an interview on Fox News this weekend, former President George H. W. Bush touted his son Jeb Bush as a potential President. The former President said that Jeb is "as qualified and as able as anyone I know in the political scene" to be President.
The 41st President said that "I'd like to see him (Jeb) run, I'd like to see him be President some day." The former President noted that Jeb Bush has a strong commitment to public service and that "as President, it's about service, service for the greatest country on the face of the Earth and the honor that goes with it. I think Jeb fits that description."
Jeb Bush might be the greatest guy in the world, the most capable public servant in American history, but he will not be President of the United States anytime soon. Maybe after a break of at least a decade, but, seriously, this country has seen enough Bush family members in the White House.
After 20 years of George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush in the White House, America has reached their Bush limit. In fact, the outgoing President has an approval rating of 22%, the lowest in the history of polling. Even George W. Bush's most ardent admirers must admit that there were serious errors made during his terms as President. No need to review the rather mediocre record, but it will negatively impact the aspirations of Jeb Bush or another other member of that family.
It is high time that the Republican Party searches for fresh leaders. They don't have to recycle people with the same family names. Just like Democrats seemed to be obsessed with Clintons and Kennedys, the Republicans have for too long been dominated by the Bush dynasty. Even former President George H. W. Bush seems to realize the mood of the nation. He admitted that "I mean, right now, is probably a bad time, because we've got enough Bushes in there."
We certainly have had enough of the Bush family. Neither Bush President was particularly good in the White House. The sad irony is that Jeb Bush is the most capable member of the family. He seems to be the most conservative and was very successful as Governor of Florida. Yet, at least for the next few years, Jeb cannot be elected President. His brother was too unpopular and has forever tarnished the family name.
In previous times, it would have been impossible for a relative of Herbert Hoover, Richard Nixon or Jimmy Carter to be elected President; the same is the case with the Bush family.
It is time for George H. W. Bush to stop pushing another son to aspire to the White House. Jeb Bush should bring all of his talents to the private sector and improve this country in some significant way. Running for political office is not the only way someone can be productive.
The Bush family business has been politics, but it needs to change for the country has tired of them. It is time for the Bush family to find another line of work.
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Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, "Ringside Politics," which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m.weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
When it comes time for Facing Reality, I don't know which war "he" will get us into, why don't you ask the Congress that approved and supported the last rounds of 'war'..... It is quite possible that perhaps things are simply becomming a mockery here in the United States...... I find that I really don't give a rat's bunghole on what the mideastern or the French opinions are with regards as to how the United States should (a) be run, and (b) conduct ourselves..... The politico correcto whack/crack/smack sideshows are really starting to get very tiresome.... And I am not interested in telling them how to (a) be run, and (b) conduct theirselves... That is of course until they start assaulting our allies, renigging (can that word still be used in a politically correct world?) on business deals, proliferating nuclear strike capabilities and actually a whole lot of other things..... We are becomming such a nation of wussies that we are afraid to speak our minds for fear the ACLU will stand up and tell us how it is we have to speak.... SCREW THE ACLU................. $240,000.00 dollars awarded to man forced to cover Arab T-shirt - - - AFP/HO/File – Tail of a JetBlue airliner. An airline passenger forced to cover his T-shirt because it displayed Arabic … NEW YORK (AFP) – An airline passenger forced to cover his T-shirt because it displayed Arabic script has been awarded 240,000 dollars in compensation, campaigners said Monday. - - - - Raed Jarrar received the pay out on Friday from two US Transportation Security Authority officials and from JetBlue Airways following the August 2006 incident at New York's JFK Airport, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced."The outcome of this case is a victory for free speech and a blow to the discriminatory practice of racial profiling," said Aden Fine, a lawyer with ACLU…… Jarrar, a US resident, was apprehended as he waited to board a JetBlue flight from New York to Oakland, California, and told to remove his shirt, which had written on it in Arabic: "We will not be silent."…. He was told other passengers felt uncomfortable because an Arabic-inscribed T-shirt in an airport was like "wearing a T-shirt at a bank stating, I am a robber,'" the ACLU said…… Jarrar eventually agreed to cover his shirt with another provided by JetBlue. He was allowed aboard but his seat was changed from the front to the back of the aircraft…. Last week, nine Muslims, including three children, were ordered off a domestic US flight after passengers heard what they believed were suspicious remarks about security….. Although the passengers, eight of them US citizens, were cleared by the FBI, they were reportedly still barred from the AirTran flight….. Security has been at a high level in US airports since the September 11, 2001 hijacked airliner attacks against the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington…. However, rights groups and representatives of the Muslim community say the security measures have led to frequent discrimination and harassment. Written by
on 1/6/2009
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Two presidents named Bush. Two wars that didn't accomplish very much if indeed they didn't end up making a mess much worse than the status quo ante. A third president named Bush. What war is he going to get this country into? Written by Facing Reality
on 1/5/2009
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If an inexperienced senator with an unknown and questionable background can be elected president then Jeb stands a chance. If we continue to re-elect the same worthless so called public servants to Congress, who by the way has a single digit approval rating, then Jeb has a chance. Written by Sid
on 1/5/2009
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Actually, it's time for the Bushes to find another country to ruin. I hear they've bought an enormous property in Paraguay. Maybe the Paraguayans will be less hesitant to destroy them if they try their tricks down there. Written by Robert Desmarais Sullivan
on 1/5/2009
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Thank you Sharon. That is what I have heard from my brother. He lives in Gulf Breeze. Written by Just sayin
on 1/5/2009
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I have lived in Florida for the last 10 years. I pay attention to politics. Jeb Bush was an excellent Governor. Florida has been very realistic on all matters. Budgets are being cut instead of raisiing taxes. Some of the people leaving Florida are leaving because of many things. OUr property taxes are high that's for sure but take a ride on our roads. We actually have rest stops complete with bathrooms open 24/7. Jeb Bush stepped in on the class size amendment that passed for one reason. Florida couldn't afford it. There isn't enough classrooms or teachers to make it work. This was to be paid for by property owners. Funny how people who don't have to pay the taxes are all too happy to vote for them. The state and the nation would benefit from having Jeb Bush in any office. Unlike Caroline Kennedy he actually has held office and understands the issues. And he is much better qualified than the likes of the Al Franken. Sorry Jeff. WE need qualified people. I agree that we need new faces and new ideas but Jeb is young and an asset to America. He should not be disqualified because his name is Bush. Written by Sharon
on 1/5/2009
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Has anyone asked any Floridians how effective Jeb was? If he was so great, how come we're third (after California and Nevada)in foreclosures? How come more people are leaving Florida than migrating in? (Probably first time in history; certainly first time since a/c.) How come our legislature is spending another $40,000 a day right now in a special session in which, I'll bet, they'll still be unable to straighten out our tax mess (because they owe so much to special interests). .......perhaps it's the illegal immigrant population!!!! Check the stats on those foreclosures. I would be willing to bet that the majority of them were either given to illegals or people who could not afford them to begin with.
How come we're totally held hostage by the insurance industry? (No house on my street -- "waterfront," on a dinky little canal -- has sold in almost three years; buyers can't get insurance.)........ How about because hurricanes wipe you out every few years....geeeesh
How about Jeb's disregard for our sunshine laws? How about his "devious plans" to circumvent the will of the voters re rail transportation and class size? How about his arrogance in refusing to speak with legislators who weren't doing what he wanted? It's his PR machine that says he was wonderful for Florida, not any Floridians who were paying attention. Please don't listen to it.
I have a brother in Fla and he definately pays attention but he says Jeb has done a great job. And guess what....he is not a Republican. Written by Just sayin
on 1/5/2009
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Has anyone asked any Floridians how effective Jeb was? If he was so great, how come we're third (after California and Nevada)in foreclosures? How come more people are leaving Florida than migrating in? (Probably first time in history; certainly first time since a/c.) How come our legislature is spending another $40,000 a day right now in a special session in which, I'll bet, they'll still be unable to straighten out our tax mess (because they owe so much to special interests). How come we're totally held hostage by the insurance industry? (No house on my street -- "waterfront," on a dinky little canal -- has sold in almost three years; buyers can't get insurance.)
How about Jeb's disregard for our sunshine laws? How about his "devious plans" to circumvent the will of the voters re rail transportation and class size? How about his arrogance in refusing to speak with legislators who weren't doing what he wanted? It's his PR machine that says he was wonderful for Florida, not any Floridians who were paying attention. Please don't listen to it. Written by Eileen O'Sullivan, St. Petersburg, FL
on 1/5/2009
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Well, if he fits the description, then perhaps he should run.... Especially if he has been more effective than any other governor that is offered up on the palate for contemplation... And if this is not the case, then yes, a viable candidate should be sought out..... Not one that is being groomed and tailored by some benign force...... Written by
on 1/5/2009
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