I agree that Bush seems to have the inside track, given the lack of competition. First of all, it is NOT going to be Christie. His defense of a Muslim judge is quite admirable. However, it is fatal to his ever becoming nominated for president. If that didn’t disqualify him, then surely his gentlemanly behavior of working with Obama after Sandy does. Cavorting with Muslims AND Obama is not forgiveable with the GOP base.
Huntsman is not going to be nominated either. If he had stuck around a bit in 2012, maybe. But he didn’t last long enough to have his turn in the parade of un-Romneys. You don’t get your turn by running a non-serious campaign the first time out of the gate.
Jeb Bush is certainly more qualified than his brother ever was, if that’s any help to him. He seems to be dipping his toes in the water just a bit now, so my guess is game on for him. I just have a hard time seeing anyone beating him in the primaries.
At this point in the 2004 election cycle. He was, after all, the vice presidential nominee on a Democratic ticket that won the popular vote. I skipped the even more obvious Hillary Clinton joke. Being seen as a leading contender at this stage in this process means you have name recognition and exactly nothing else.
“Maybe?” Sorry, it’s too soon to be that confident. If you’re right it’s more likely to be a coincidence than a good prediction.
Isn’t that kind of the whole idea behind “rising star?” There were not a whole lot of people in November/December 2004 saying the Democrats were going to nominate Barack Obama next time out (he hadn’t even been sworn in as a senator yet). And have you heard of this Rubio guy? He’s already making visits to Iowa. Unlike Jeb, he has a job (Bush left office at the beginning of 2007) and he’s actually a Latino instead of a white guy who gets partial credit for speaking Spanish and marrying a Latina. I continue to be confused why Jeb’s name is always one of the first ones people think of. I understand the reasons he seems like a guy who should be under consideration, but those reasons seem pretty superficial to me.
Jeb Bush is actually a pretty decent politician. Probably the best governor Florida has had since Lawton Chiles. Still, that’s not saying much, but it’s something.
If the republicans and centrists want to have a viable alternative to the Democrats, (and since they’re too often conservative or centrist as well, I’m not a huge fan) my suggestion would be rebuilding the party as a center right party instead of a far right party, one that is willing to do simple things like approve Obama appointments and not invent controversies that do not exist, maybe occasionally vote for legislation in a bipartisan manner.
I am not saying they have to roll over and be the Democrat’s butt monkeys, I am just saying when they argue with Democrats or oppose Democratic ideas, have something sane to argue.
Bush or Christie? So it’s between the two guys who keep Burger King from going under? Clinton was bad enough with the doughboy look, but I’d really prefer my president not to be a walking heart attack.
Still can’t forgive him for the 2000 election and the pre-election voter-roll purge. But for that, the whole al-Qaeda threat would have been handled by Gore, and better.