# GOP dopers in support of Jeb! Bush: Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 12, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910 "2015-07-12T03:05:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2ManyTacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3da27b/32.png) [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/1 "2015-07-12T03:05:59Z")
I’m honestly going to do my best to refrain from turning this thread into a Jeb! Bush shit-thread, but this is truly one of the cases where I just CANNOT - as hard as I try - understand why Jeb! is pulling in such widespread support among the GOP electorate. IMO, the Bush _brand,_ such as it is, is shit compared to its Clinton counterpart; W is basically universally reviled, & Bush 41 is only fondly remembered by a sliver of the American electorate writ large. The fact that so many in the GOP are willing to go back to the Bush well for a _third time_ is utterly perplexing to me. So, those of the dope in favor of Jeb!, what is it about him that’s appealing to you? ---
**Author:** ![Construct](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Construct](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Construct)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/2 "2015-07-12T04:06:00Z")
Bush is the most moderate candidate with widespread name recognition and the appearance of electability. Consequently, he’s going to win the entire swath of voters who are less conservative than him who are polled. He also picks up some voters for his Hispanic wife and on his own merits as well. More partisan voters are on average better informed and therefore more likely to be split between many lesser-known candidates. I think the best explanation is that you are trying to create a rational case for Jeb Bush on the basis of positions and character, rather than assuming the average voter is ill-informed and stupid and working from there. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/3 "2015-07-12T04:29:45Z")
> [@2ManyTacos](#): > > IMO, the Bush _brand,_ such as it is, is shit compared to its Clinton counterpart; W is basically universally reviled, … [This is false.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/06/03/it-may-be-a-bit-early-for-republicans-to-celebrate-the-george-w-bush-popularity-boom/) > [@](#): > > George W. Bush is now viewed more favorably than Hillary Clinton, and his favorability trumps President Obama’s approval. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/4 "2015-07-12T05:18:11Z")
Please note that the above link, when read, adds context and analysis that is not at all mentioned in the post bringing it up. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/5 "2015-07-12T06:07:31Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Please note that the above link, when read, adds context and analysis that is not at all mentioned in the post bringing it up. Surprise, surprise, surprise… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/6 "2015-07-12T06:08:54Z")
I probably should refrain from commenting since I don’t fit the demographic the OP is looking for, but… The simple fact is that Jeb! is the least batshit person in the clown car. That’s it. Jeb’s doing so well because everyone else on the GOP side of things is so horrible. ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/7 "2015-07-12T10:34:07Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > The simple fact is that Jeb! \*\*is the least batshit person in the clown car.\*\*That’s it. Jeb’s doing so well because everyone else on the GOP side of things is so horrible. (bolding mine) Bingo. But he’s still a Bush. The apple never falls very far from the tree. We’ll see what happens down the line. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/8 "2015-07-12T12:39:10Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > But he’s still a Bush. The apple never falls very far from the tree. Or we could see what already happened. Did he given like a Bush? ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/9 "2015-07-12T12:49:51Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I probably should refrain from commenting since I don’t fit the demographic the OP is looking for, but… > > The simple fact is that Jeb! is the least batshit person in the clown car. That’s it. Jeb’s doing so well because everyone else on the GOP side of things is so horrible. Exactly. It’s like you’re stuck on some really long flight and your choice of movies is either a collection of terrible straight-to-dvd religious turds or a bad Will Ferrell movie. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/10 "2015-07-12T13:00:37Z")
I think a Bush candidacy will drive Democratic voters to the polls in record numbers, to be honest. It would be good for Hillary, in the long run, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/11 "2015-07-12T13:48:17Z")
> [@kiz](#): > > But he’s still a Bush. The apple never falls very far from the tree. We’ll see what happens down the line. That is absolute bullshit. Everybody is influenced by their family, but no adult is determined by them, or should be judged by his relatives. (Or by her spouse.) I’m not a Bush supporter, but it’s pure laziness to judge his suitability for a job based on either parent. If you were hiring a person whose brother had worked for you, would you skip the interview because you knew the brother? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/12 "2015-07-12T15:20:42Z")
> [@2ManyTacos](#): > > IMO, the Bush _brand,_ such as it is, is shit compared to its Clinton counterpart; W is basically universally reviled, & Bush 41 is only fondly remembered by a sliver of the American electorate writ large. The fact that so many in the GOP are willing to go back to the Bush well for a _third time_ is utterly perplexing to me. I’ve said here before that, among Republicans, the Bush name is not a problem. They may be willing to accept that the George W. Bush presidency was a failure; the economy, deficit, and national security results are pretty persuasive. I’ve never heard them dig any deeper to explain why. It wasn’t a problem with his leadership, or his policies, or his appointments, or his agenda, or his ideas, or his upbringing, or his name. Consequently, they’d take us down exactly the same road again if they had the chance. Jeb’s popularity isn’t because he’s different from his brother, it’s because he’s so much the same. But this time it’ll work. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/13 "2015-07-12T15:30:23Z")
“Jeb! is pulling in such widespread support among the GOP electorate” 16% is “widespread support”? ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/14 "2015-07-12T15:56:47Z")
Personally I wish to see both Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton to be long gone and not bother us good people again, and their progeny also. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/15 "2015-07-12T16:02:41Z")
> [@davida03801](#): > > Personally I wish to see both Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton to be long gone and not bother us good people again, and their progeny also. Both Jeb and Hillary are the “I want to be a politician for the sake of being a politician” kind of candidates. They have no principles, and no set goals other than being elected. They will both campaign based on opinion surveys among potential voters, not based on any kind of ideas that they have. As I said in Bernie Sanders’ thread, I probably would not like the vast majority of his policies, but at least the man has integrity and goals other than “I want to be a politician”. Unfortunately he is the only one in the crop. Maybe Rand Paul as well. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/16 "2015-07-12T16:19:10Z")
> [@Construct](#): > > Bush is the most moderate candidate with widespread name recognition and the appearance of electability. Consequently, he’s going to win the entire swath of voters who are less conservative than him who are polled. I think that’s the extent of it right there. He’s the most moderate candidate anyone has ever heard of, so he gets chosen by those who want a moderate. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/17 "2015-07-12T16:24:37Z")
> [@2ManyTacos](#): > > W is basically universally reviled, > [@Bone](#): > > [This is false.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/06/03/it-may-be-a-bit-early-for-republicans-to-celebrate-the-george-w-bush-popularity-boom/) > [@2ManyTacos](#): > > & Bush 41 is only fondly remembered by a sliver of the American electorate writ large. This is [false, too.](http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/12/politics/george-h-w-bush-90th-birthday/index.html) > [@](#): > > A just-released CNN/ORC International poll shows 58% of Americans now have a favorable opinion of [GHW] Bush When one starts with false premises, one is unlikely to reach a correct conclusion. THere is no mystery here, only false assumptions. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/18 "2015-07-12T16:31:37Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Exactly. > > It’s like you’re stuck on some really long flight and your choice of movies is either a collection of terrible straight-to-dvd religious turds or a bad Will Ferrell movie. “Okay, folks…passenger choice! _Old School_ or _Ishtar_?” ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/19 "2015-07-12T16:35:49Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > “Okay, folks…passenger choice! _Old School_ or _Ishtar_?” [THESE MEN ARE PAWNS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLKZtppbm_Q) ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910/20 "2015-07-12T17:41:42Z")
Not to hijack, but what’s with the exclamation mark? Haven’t seen it anywhere else. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-dopers-in-support-of-jeb-bush-why/724910.md?page=2)