Florida may have to decide between Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio

By Lynn R. Mitchell

With Florida Senator Marco Rubio set to announce today that he is running for U.S. President, it is worth looking at how Republicans in Florida feel about their former Governor Jeb Bush and Senator Rubio getting into the same race.

While many would like to see Rubio run for re-election in the senate, if both end up in the presidential race it will mean Floridians must decide between them. (continue reading here....)

Eric Cantor, Jeb Bush to host fundraiser in RVA

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) will benefit from a fundraiser being hosted by former Majority Leader Eric Cantor and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush later this month at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. The long-time friends will team up for the February 16th event that was first mentioned by Cantor at an event in January (see Virginia Republicans look to the future).

Cross-posted at LynnRMitchell.com

They did it to Bill Bolling, now they’re doing it to Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush. Not conservative enough. Try as I might, it remains impossible to see these two concepts as even remotely related. John Ellis Bush, the second son of George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara Bush, who during his first run for Florida governor in 1994 cheerfully called himself a head-banging conservative, a hang-’em-by-the-neck conservative … who during his second run for Florida governor in 1998 had to craft for himself a more compassionate persona so as not to scare off independent voters … that Jeb Bush has come to be viewed with suspicion by the uber-conservative, Tea Party wing of his Republican Party?

They did it to former Virginia Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.... (continue reading here)

Jeb: GOP needs to show it can lead

Jeb Bush came out again on the side of common sense and pragmatic leadership when he addressed The Wall Street Journal CEO Council annual meeting.... (continue reading here)

Republicans most likely to be 2016 GOP nominee

The Hill has their list of 13 Republicans most likely to be nominees for the Republican presidential nomination for 2016 (see 13 Republicans most likely to win WH). I don’t agree with some of their choices but it makes for interesting speculation.


Thirteen — an interesting number. Why not 12 or 14?

They’ve divided their choices into categories beginning with....(continue reading here)

Is Jeb right? Putting his 'act of love' immigration comments in context

Many are quoting Jeb Bush and criticizing his "act of love" comments concerning immigration. Perhaps it would help if they put the comment in context:

"The way I look at this is someone who comes to our country because they couldn’t come legally, they come to our country because their families -- the dad who loved their children -- was worried that their children didn’t have food on the table. And they wanted to make sure their family was intact, and they crossed the border because they had no other means to work to be able to provide for their family.

"Yes, they broke the law, but it’s not a felony. It’s an act of love. It’s an act of commitment to your family. I honestly think that that is a different kind of crime that there should be a price paid, but it shouldn’t rile people up that people are actually coming to this country to provide for their families."

His is a humanitarian look at a huge issue in America, and it's increasingly becoming a wedge between political friends. Rightly or wrongly, the GOP has become known as the party of no. The outrage over Jeb's comments and his willingness to look at comprehensive immigration reform only feeds that image. However, the former Florida governor is willing to sit at the table and discuss an issue that some have summarily dismissed without looking for solutions.

The Wall Street Journal editorialized on Tuesday that Jeb "makes more sense than his critics" and commented on the GOP:

For a party that has lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections, the GOP sure seems eager to banish people from its potential candidate ranks. First Senator Marco Rubio was expelled from impolite conservative company, then Rep. Paul Ryan came in for abuse, and now former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is being whipped for breaking from the anti-immigration orthodoxy on the right.

Ouch.

Will all the estimated 10 million illegal immigrants be shipped back home, or are we willing to look for solutions? Jeb Bush has some suggestions:

Mr. Bush urged everyone to drop "the harsh political rhetoric" and recognize that immigrants "can make a contribution to our country if we organize ourselves in a better way." Assimilation is essential to that effort, he said, and should include teaching civics in public school and requiring English.

Twenty-five years ago President Ronald Reagan faced the same issue. "I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though sometime back they may have entered illegally," he said at the time. He granted amnesty. The WSJ compared that to today's less tolerant atmosphere and concluded:

Not too long ago that would have been called Reagan orthodoxy. Mr. Bush says he'll decide on whether to run for President by the end of the year, but if he does run he's already got a better immigration message than the self-defeating "self-deportation" crowd that cost the GOP so dearly in 2012.

The decision in 2016 will be whether to go with a hard-liner, or with someone who is willing to take the more difficult path in today's political atmosphere to find solutions. When someone is willing to give up political dreams to do what's right, that may be the leader America needs.

Weekend Bush fest

The support workers are lining up ... there's a growing eagerness to work another great campaign ... there's a need to pull Republicans together again. Jeb has the backing and it's growing.

Larry Sabato: Jeb at top of GOP presidential field

It's no secret that I'm a Jeb Bush supporter but someone else has been paying attention to this under-the-radar possible presidential candidate.

University of Virginia's political guru Larry Sabato's latest Crystal Ball has Jeb at the top of the field of contenders:

In our first ranking of the very large and very unsettled 2016 Republican presidential field back in April of last year, we decided to not even include the name of one of the brightest stars in the GOP universe: Jeb Bush. We just didn’t think, at the time, that the former Florida governor and brother and son of presidents was all that interested in running.

But during 2013 and into this new year, we’ve gotten the sense, like many others, that things might be changing. So much so that we now consider Bush the leader of the field if he decides to run.

The bold emphasis is Sabato's. In the Crystal Ball's latest, 2016 Republican Presidential Update: A New Familiar Name at the Top, he admits that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was the preferred presidential candidate until his recent troubles with Bridgegate and falling popularity numbers. There's also a widespread distrust of politicians like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz so, for those and all kinds of other reasons, Sabato writes:

And that leads us to another reason to take a potential Bush candidacy seriously: The establishment loves him.

In recent months, we’ve noticed an unmistakable and widespread desire among some of the Republicans we talk to, particularly ones who would be classified as members of the establishment on and off Capitol Hill, for a third Bush nominee in less than three decades. In one conversation, we mentioned several other potential candidates on our list, but the chatter kept coming back to Jeb. He was the only candidate with whom these party leaders appeared to be comfortable.

Jeb is known as a strong leader who was very popular during his time as governor of Florida. His connections reach to pockets nationwide for fundraising, and his campaigning ability encompasses the Bush family and beyond, not to mention the mentoring of two former United States presidents -- his father George H.W. and brother George W.

In 1998 and 1999, the name George W. Bush kept drifting to the surface of presidential nominee talk. Few took it seriously. It feels like a similar scenario this go round. And while Sabato has seen it all with candidates rising to the top only to sink again, one constant remains: Jeb Bush:

The implications of a Bush candidacy would be wide-reaching, and -- to be clear -- we don’t know if he’s running. He probably doesn’t know himself. The reason we’re putting him first now is that if he were to run, we’d see him as a modest favorite over the other potential candidates in the field, and he might be the one Republican whose entry could keep other candidates out. For instance, Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) are close, and many observers doubt that they would run against one another in a presidential contest. (Bush’s son, George P., just appeared at two Palm Beach fundraisers for Rubio; the younger Bush is running for land commissioner, a statewide elected office in Texas.) That said, stranger things have happened in politics than a hypothetical Bush vs. Rubio matchup in a GOP primary field: Political alliances are often written in pencil, not pen.

While I cannot imagine Jeb and Marco Rubio running against each other for the nomination, I can imagine Jeb as the presidential nominee with Rubio as his vice president.

Much has been made of Barbara Bush, Jeb's mom, who, when asked about Jeb running, famously responded that there had been enough Bushes in the White House. What got lost in the hurry to push out that quote was the rest of her sentiment: that surely there were other families out there with sons and daughters willing to run for president whose last names weren't Bush. But she also came back recently to say she thought Jeb was definitely qualified and would make a terrific president. And smiled firmly as she added, "Be sure you say that I said that." I noted it on my Facebook page at the time.

For an interesting read, check out the rest of Sabato's top field of Republican contenders. Sitting right there on top is Jeb Bush, the one to keep an eye on as 2014 unfolds.

Update: Jennifer Rubin at the Washington Post has been keeping up with Jeb and again wrote on Wednesday about his possible candidacy:

The most compelling argument for Jeb Bush goes like this: The country and his party need him. Eight years of President Obama will leave us internationally weakened, politically gridlocked, economically listless and stewing in partisan juices. From the Republicans’ perspective, four more years of Democratic rule, especially from Hillary Clinton, whose fingerprints are all over Obamacare and a series of foreign policy debacles, would push the country to a breaking point. Moreover, both to beat Hillary Clinton and to clean up the mess, the party and country need a grown up, a proven performer and a qualified chief executive. Choosing an ideologically extreme and/or under-qualified senator or an untested and unknown governor is fraught with peril. So, therefore, Jeb Bush becomes the most logical choice.

"The party needs a grown up." That about sums it up right there.

Jennifer Rubin: 'Don't forget about Jeb'

Jennifer Rubin's Tuesday column in the Washington Post provided good insight into former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the opportunity for him to run for president in 2016.

Jeb, younger brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush, has always been on my short list of candidates for 2016. His chances appear to have increased with the unfortunate circumstances of two of the other forerunners: Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell.

Don't get me wrong ... I'm not writing Chris Christie out just because of his "Bridgegate" issue. Come on, people -- if Hillary can bungle Bengazi the way she did and still be a serious contender for 2016, a little tied-up traffic can't be enough to knock Christie out of the running. But some conservatives can't get beyond the fact that Christie was, in their opinion, a little too snuggly with the President of the United States. I say the man had a huge disaster on his hands in Hurricane Sandy's tragic damage to New Jersey, and was being courteous to the man who offered help.

What is it with conservatives who think everyone needs to be snippy and nasty to those they politically disagree with? Sorry, I prefer to take a page out of the playbook of George W when it comes to civility.

Back to the list. Sadly, our own Governor Bob McDonnell is now pretty wounded by his own Giftgate issues that surfaced while in the Executive Mansion.

Which brings us back to George W's brother, Jeb. No matter what his mom said about not needing any more Bushes in the White House -- Barbara often makes off-the-cuff comments like that -- if he's the man for the job, it doesn't matter that he's a Bush.

There are many who disagree and I respect that. They think the baton should be passed on to "new blood." I say it needs to go to the person best qualified who can lead this country during the current turbulent times and, though I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, if Jeb wants the job then I certainly think he's qualified with his background and common sense Bush family knowledge.

Jennifer Rubin shoots down most of the reasons people would have against Jeb. Give her column a read ... it could open the door to back this very-electable Bush brother/son.

Jennifer Rubin: 'What about Jeb?'

He's known as the other Bush brother, the one who originally was expected to run for president before his older brother found himself in the right place at the right time. Both governors with the experience from that executive position, Jeb's name has been tossed around for a while as someone to run for president.

However, general sentiment seemed to be that the country had soured on the Bush name. Father George H.W. as president 41, and brother George W. as president 43. Would America really want a Bush president 46?

With the passing of time and circumstances, the time may be right, and the Washington Post's opinion writer Jennifer Rubin agrees. In her post earlier this week -- "What about Jeb?" -- she made a notable argument in Jeb's favor:

George W. Bush has bounced back in popularity, and if the Dems can run a Clinton there is no reason the GOP can’t run a Bush. Besides, experienced leadership may be in style after we survive the next three years. And to boot, GOP governors are looking like the party’s saviors these days. Moreover, the passage of time has allowed certain issue to fade and others to resolve themselves (e.g. the Bush tax cuts). Jeb Bush understandably can say “times have changed” if he chooses not to adopt a position his brother took sixteen years ago. (Yes, it’ll be 16 years between 43′s presidential run and when Republicans again start trudging through Iowa and New Hampshire.)
...
I have no idea if he will run. But I am more convinced that he could and should. He’s got a lot to tell the GOP voters.

Run, Jeb, run. He may find he has more supporters than he realizes.

Jeb Bush: 'Conservatives are winning ... in the states'

"Four of the most popular governors in the country – Chris Christie of New Jersey, Bob McDonnell of Virginia, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Brian Sandoval of Nevada – are from states that supported President Obama last year." --Former FL Governor Jeb Bush

Republicans haven't done too well on the national level lately but former Florida Governor Jeb Bush made a compelling case about their positive influence at the state level in this Rare column:

The conventional wisdom coming from the 2012 election was the Republican Party is in decline. We lost on messaging, tone and policies that alienated growing minority communities. What that narrative misses is that conservative principles and Republican leadership are thriving in the states, providing the way forward for the GOP.

He notes there are now 30 Republican governors, the most in 13 years, and that Republicans hold a majority of the state seats in 26 states, as they balance budgets and create business-friendly climates to attract new business and jobs. Education and job training are taking a front seat in the race to provide skilled workers.

Governor Bush pointed out the business growth in the southeastern states:

The Southeast is leading a renaissance in American manufacturing. Conservative, pro-growth policies are shifting the major growth corridors to the Great Plains, the Intermountain West, the Gulf states and the Southeastern industrial belt, according to a major new report for the Manhattan Institute by Joel Kotkin. Boeing Dreamliners now are built in South Carolina. Four of the top six states in Business Facilities’ annual rankings of Automotive Manufacturing Strength are Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. They are home to BMW, Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, Ford and Hyundai.

In December, Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sasol Ltd., a South African chemical and synthetic fuels company, announced the single largest manufacturing investment in Louisiana history.

Building momentum, he keeps rolling out the facts:

Republicans are also balancing the demands of economic vitality and protecting natural resources. While New York continues a moratorium on fracking, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett supports it, boosting a natural gas industry that helps sustain 239,000 direct or indirect jobs.

The six states through which the Keystone XL pipeline would run not only want it, but so do two-thirds of all Americans, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Yet the White House hasn’t approved it, seemingly because of opposition from environmental groups.
...
Governors Scott Walker of Wisconsin and John Kasich of Ohio made tough fiscal decisions and took on powerful public-employee unions, but their policies are paying off and their popularity is rising. Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma has made education reform a priority, supporting accountability for schools and teachers, higher academic standards, early literacy and school choice. According to a recent New York Times poll, she has the second-highest approval rating among governors up for reelection next year.

Across the country, many other GOP governors and state leaders are making student achievement the focus of education. They are passing and implementing sweeping reforms and allowing for new education innovations to be tried and scaled, including flipped classrooms and blended and online learning that is customized to the student.

Conservative principles used to govern in a pragmatic style are working, as Governor Bush notes in his conclusion:

The success of conservative principles is the best kept secret in American politics. Media outlets thrive on conflict, and sometimes we are all too willing to oblige. As Republicans, we must focus on a positive message about our success and our vision. Instead of spending all our time and resources saying why President Obama and the Democrats’ ideas are wrong for Americans, we must provide clearly articulated alternatives.

American greatness comes from the power of individuals – not the government – to create wealth and opportunity through competition, innovation and empowerment. Not only must we pursue reform, we must do a much better job communicating how these reforms protect and promote the genius of America.

Governor Bush's discussion brings positive leadership and issues to the table that are often overlooked or under-reported by the media but that need to be exposed to the public to show what works in governing during these financially difficult times.

Making the case for Jeb Bush in 2016

The 2016 presidential election is on everyone's minds, and names are bantered back and forth on both sides of the political aisle.

For Republicans, the name "Jeb Bush" is heard more and more. Some have "Bush" fatigue, others insist no one other than a tea party pick is conservative enough. As for me ... I like Jeb. He was a very popular governor during his leadership in Florida. He was actually the Bush son most thought would run for the presidency. I think Jeb should run.

I'm not alone in that thinking. From writer Gary Stein at the Sun Sentinel:

No offense to Barbara Bush, who seems like a fabulous grandmother, and  certainly has been a wonderful mother and wife, raising a future president and being married to another one.

But Barbara, I hope son Jeb doesn’t take your advice not to run for President.

You famously said last week that “We’ve had enough Bushes” when talking about Jeb’s presidential possibilities in 2016.

Actually, if the 2012 Republican presidential hopeful field was any indication, we  haven’t had enough.

It seemed like every week, another right wing kook was in the lead for the Republican nomination. They finally went with boring Mitt Romney, and you remember how well that worked out.

I disagree that Governor Romney was "boring" and felt that his problems were more that he was running against the Democratic incumbent which may have been one reason Jeb Bush declined to run.

Mr. Stein goes on to make the case for Jeb:

Jeb would be refreshing for a GOP candidate, in that he is sane.

As governor of Florida, he may have done some things you didn’t like, but he was very popular. And he didn’t come across as crazed.

So I ask you, who do you like for the Republicans in 2016 if it’s NOT Jeb Bush?

Marco Rubio? Rand Paul? Paul Ryan?

Like I said Jeb looks better every second.

Yep, it's still early in the race but Jeb is becoming more visible and making appearances around the country. I'll be keeping up with this Bush son who is a conservative leader, no matter what his last name. Jeb Bush for President? I say bring it on.

Video from George P. Bush: April 15 is ‘Obama’s favorite day of the year’

From the Daily Caller:

George P. Bush is running for Texas Land Commissioner. And he’s out to nationalize the race. Today, his team released this timely video.

In the ad, Bush calls tax day, “Barack Obama’s favorite day of the year,” and says he “celebrates higher taxes and bigger government.”

George P. Bush represents the new generation of conservative Texas leadership. A successful businessman and civic leader, he is the son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the nephew of former President George W. Bush, and the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush.

Don't let his famous family connections fool you. This 36-year-old has many accomplishments including a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Look for him to continue moving forward in his political career.