Althouse: "It’s pretty hard to say, 'Oh, another Bush' when you’ve got another Clinton."

April 6, 2014

"It’s pretty hard to say, 'Oh, another Bush' when you’ve got another Clinton."

Why 2016 is Jeb's year.

56 comments:

madAsHell said...: I dunno.
It's drunk out.
How can the media tolerate another Bush??
The media crucified Romney.
What would they do with Bush III?; 4/6/14, 9:43 PM
Ann Althouse said...: I wouldn't mind giving Romney another chance.; 4/6/14, 9:44 PM
The Godfather said...: No no no no no! Not another Bush, not another Romney! Not another McCain. Not another Dole.

Moderate Republicans DON'T win elections. The country is in deep ... trouble. The President needs to identify the cause of the trouble and promise to fix it.

Jeb was a good governor of Florida, and in another era, I'd support him for President. But right now we need someone who can go toe to toe with the radical Democrats and turn the country around.

Tain't you McGee (or you Jeb).; 4/6/14, 9:54 PM
Heyooyeh said...: Althouse--are you still seeing yard signs telling you he will be president???; 4/6/14, 9:54 PM
clint said...: Romney could certainly make a few "I told you so" arguments -- or have his proxies make them while he's above it all.

I still think Hillary Clinton has a harder road to the nomination for 2016 than she did for 2008.; 4/6/14, 9:56 PM
BAS said...: I don't know if I would want to give Romney another chance. How well is Massachusetts doing with all its big government programs. How about Scott Walker? What's wrong with him?; 4/6/14, 10:01 PM
chickelit said...: Distraction!

I think the 2016 election talk should be held in abeyance until after the midterms. The 2014 results will profoundly affect the 2016 in one of two ways.

Are people sick of 2014 talk or are the results a foregone conclusion?; 4/6/14, 10:06 PM
Unknown said...: With Jeb's fervent support of Amnesty and Common Core, he has no chance at the nomination.; 4/6/14, 10:07 PM
Saint Croix said...: "It’s pretty hard to say, 'Oh, another Bush' when you’ve got another Clinton."

Not hard to say it in the primaries, though.; 4/6/14, 10:08 PM
SteveR said...: Romney didn't go for the throat in 2012 and I don't think he'll go again. Of course I can't imagine anyone thinking Hillary is a good choice, either. WDIK; 4/6/14, 10:08 PM
RecChief said...: good lord, I hope not. I think this country has had enough Bushes AND Clintons in the halls of power.

And with Romney, we would have a well managed decline. Very well managed mind you, but he's only the lesser of two bad choices when stacked up against the leftist that the Democrat Party is sure to run.; 4/6/14, 10:11 PM
Skyler said...: This country cannot survive another socialist Bush family member.; 4/6/14, 10:12 PM
Gahrie said...: Romney was exactly what this country needed, but he'll never get nominated again. Establishment Washington would love to see Bush V Clinton....its a no lose situation for them.

At this point I'm thinking Jindal/Walker.; 4/6/14, 10:14 PM
PianoLessons said...: I am 100% positive our nation is in no mood for another Bush vs Clinton battle - no way Jose will we settle for this kind of creepy wrestling channel reality show redo.

However - if we do accept it - allow it - and go for it - we are like what George Carlin said the "owners" want in his short You Tube "The American Dream" - "obedient sheep". They finally got us all in all the corral.

Then Orwell was so much more a genius than we ever appreciated fully. Also - then we are truly doomed as the nation we were designed to be.; 4/6/14, 10:14 PM
Carol said...: Ugh, I may go third this time.; 4/6/14, 10:18 PM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: No Bush, no Clinton. Yeah, objectively Romney would be a better choice than any name I can think of.; 4/6/14, 10:20 PM
Paco Wové said...: "It's true our burgers are full of glass shards, but, you know, our competitors put rat poison in theirs! When you look at things that way, we're really a pretty good burger."; 4/6/14, 10:22 PM
a psychiatrist who learned from veterans said...: Romney could have been too rigid in his foreign policy, too likely to get us into needless war. Didn't appreciate the externalities of his policies sufficiently. Probably best not to get overly concerned about that in setting up companies, e.g.Sports Authority but, for example, expecting 11 million Mexicans to "self-deport" was unrealistic and thus alienating to Mexican-Americans. Anyway, Romney isn't coming back.; 4/6/14, 10:32 PM
cubanbob said...: Godfather I voted for Jeb in each of his runs for governor of Florida. Overall he was a good governor but I'm not voting for him if runs in the primary. I want a candidate the runs on rolling back the progressive superstructure and Jeb isn't that guy.; 4/6/14, 10:35 PM
Ken Mitchell said...: If the ultimate choice turns out to be Bush v. Clinton, I'll be seriously tempted to pull my old draft card out of my scrapbook and burn it, and move to Canada. Or Mexico, which will be a First World Country compared to the USA in 2020. IF there's still a USA in 2020, which will be by NO means certain. I'll vote for Cruz, or Paul (either of them) but never a Bush or a Clinton. I didn't vote for either of the Version 1s; I won't vote for Version 2.; 4/6/14, 10:37 PM
Michael K said...: Romney might think about doing it again if the party comes to him. Bush is a loser and immigration alone, will sink him.

I would support Romney as I think his defeat was illegitimate. Bush no.; 4/6/14, 10:42 PM
mccullough said...: That matchup probably would attract a good third party candidate.; 4/6/14, 11:21 PM
sojerofgod said...: Since when did we begin having such political royalty? I have zero interest in a Bush presidency and my feelings for Clinton are well into negative numbers. Howse about some fresh blood? maybe a dark horse, I don't know. all the names people seem to push on the R side seem to have issues, either they are company men like Romney or have the name recognition of yours truly. I don't know enough about CruzPaulWalkerBrown and C. to have an opinion.; 4/6/14, 11:31 PM
Gary Rosen said...: Note where this article appeared. Of course the NYT has the best interests of the Republican party in mind.; 4/7/14, 12:32 AM
Michael K said...: "Probably best not to get overly concerned about that in setting up companies, e.g.Sports Authority but, for example, expecting 11 million Mexicans to "self-deport" was unrealistic and thus alienating to Mexican-Americans. Anyway, Romney isn't coming back."

So the millions of Mexicans that returned home after 2008 were, what ? Expelled ?

You seem determined to misunderstand.; 4/7/14, 12:46 AM
Brando said...: Bush may get the nomination, but it'd be by default--who else in the party seems likely? Romney won't get it because the voters will feel like he had his chance--no party re-nominated a losing candidate since Nixon in '68.

Whoever they do pick though would need some broader appeal than the party currently has. The Democrats have an electoral wall that has hemmed in the GOP at the presidential level for over two decades, and unless they can make the numbers move for suburban moderates and racial minorities, that wall isn't looking likely to budge.; 4/7/14, 5:58 AM
tim maguire said...: "It’s pretty hard to say, 'Oh, another Bush' when you’ve got another Clinton."

I disagree. They remember Clinton fondly and would like another Clinton. They don't remember Bush fondly and don't want another Bush. There's nothing wrong with that.

Besides, Hillary would be the second Clinton while Jeb would be the third Bush. Liberals have always been comfortable drawing the line at the spot where it works best for them and then pretending they have an objective reason for what they did.; 4/7/14, 6:33 AM
Robert Cook said...: "...right now we need someone who can go toe to toe with the radical Democrats and turn the country around."

Radical democrats!? Where?

Our present Congress is made up of radical Republicans and moderate Republicans, (aka, Democrats).; 4/7/14, 6:44 AM
Robert Cook said...: "This country cannot survive another socialist Bush family member."

"Another?"

I'd laugh, but my terror that there are some in this country who believe this strangles my laughter in my throat!; 4/7/14, 6:48 AM
David said...: The chance of a third party candidate has been growing. A Bush nomination could be just the right seed.; 4/7/14, 7:10 AM
Jon said...: I predict that if Jeb and Hillary both don't run, Romney will.

If Jeb doesn't run but Hilary does, Romney will seriously consider it.; 4/7/14, 7:16 AM
Larry J said...: Should the 2016 presidental election be another round of Bush verses Clinton, I think I'll start praying for the Sweet Asteroid of Death to end it all, preferably with Washington DC as the impact zone on a day when all of the politicians are in town.; 4/7/14, 7:20 AM
SomeoneHasToSayIt said...: 2016 Romney-Paul

2024 Paul-????; 4/7/14, 7:30 AM
Guildofcannonballs said...: Romney didn't manage the 2012 election well which is partly why he lost. He hired the wrong folks and used outdated, incorrect strategy.

Think of him as a superman unable to connect to normal people if you wish, but the fact is he is a loser. People can repeat how great he is and a technical wizard when managing and leading his team but his team still sucked, which means to me he isn't a good campaigner which is what wins elections regardless of what future performance in office would have been.

What the GOP needs is a strategy to have the Libs fight each other instead of smearing us at every moment. Rush tried with the PUMA's but he was too above-board.

Also I don't like wimps who get smacked around and instead of fighting back talk about how good a person the leftist is and their ideas just don't work. The idea is power and it works very well for every person who gains it.

Paul Ryan sits and gets called a bullshitting liar to his face by a comically tragic VP and can't respond by bringing up Biden's past.

"Well Joe we know you're a plagiarizer who Justice Thomas called a liar after you lied to his face before his confirmation, so how about you get off your damned high horse and start figuring out how to do some good rather than continue along the path you've helped lead this nation the last four years while only pointing blame at me."

When Biden responds call him a filthy racist who only disagrees with Thomas because Thomas is black. Bring in Soiled Harry's comments to bolster the case of how racist Dem. leader's are.

This is the only way to win a fight: fight back.

Jeb is a lover not a fighter.; 4/7/14, 7:34 AM
I Have Misplaced My Pants said...: There is no way on earth that the people of this country can be persuaded to vote for another Bush.

Hell, I wouldn't even vote for the Bush--I think he's Jeb's son--who ran for land commissioner. Although he did win the primary and is expected to win the general, so what do I know.

But Texas isn't the rest of the country.; 4/7/14, 7:44 AM
Brando said...: Whoever the GOP picks is going to have to figure out how to broaden his/her appeal to gain suburban moderates and racial minorities. The Democrats have an electoral wall, built over 20 years ago, that makes it near-impossible for the GOP to win with just the "red" states. Considering that Florida, VA, NV, CO and OH are far bluer than they were even ten years ago, this is going to mean breaking out of the GOP comfort zone.

Could Jeb do it? On paper, possibly. But there are two things that work against him:

1) He has only run in three statewide campaigns, the last one being in 2002, and never run nationally. That may not be a problem if he's a good retail campaigner, but if he's rusty there could be some fatal gaffes.

2) The GOP has a great way of taking otherwise winnable candidates and leaving them mortally wounded by the time the nomination is over. That's where you get "self-deportation" and trips to Bob Jones University, which may play to the red meat crowd but aren't getting the voters the GOP needs in the general election.

In a way, I sort of agree with those who say the GOP needs to nominate a hard-core conservative, because that sort of candidate may feel more free to move to the middle early in the campaign and win the swing voters. I just don't think the GOP can win simply by energizing its base.; 4/7/14, 8:03 AM
David said...: Guess what. Jeb Bush's stance on immigration is a winner nationally now, and a long term winner for the Republican party. Hispanic immigrants are key to the Republican future. If the party writes them off it's goodbye for a half a century in national elections. Once again a vocal minority of the party is going to dash its chances. The result will be a Hillary Clinton presidency and worse in the future.

George Bush tried to make this point and was ignored. Now it's Jeb's turn.; 4/7/14, 8:15 AM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: Michael K said...
I would support Romney as I think his defeat was illegitimate.

This is the root of fascism, when only your candidate is the legitimate winner of any election.; 4/7/14, 8:16 AM
Anonymous said...: The United States Toilet will no longer flush.; 4/7/14, 8:26 AM
Salamandyr said...: I'm going to put this out there every time someone suggests Jeb Bush as a candidate for 2016. If he's the Republican nominee. I won't vote.; 4/7/14, 8:32 AM
Salamandyr said...: I'm going to put this out there every time someone suggests Jeb Bush as a candidate for 2016. If he's the Republican nominee. I won't vote.; 4/7/14, 8:35 AM
Jane the Actuary said...: Whoa. Jeb Bush takes the pro-legalization of illegal immigrants rhetoric to new heights with the idea that it's an "act of love" and we're still discussing him as a contender for the Republican nomination?

http://janetheactuary.blogspot.com/2014/04/an-act-of-love.html; 4/7/14, 8:48 AM
Bob Boyd said...: Hell with it. Let's just have a Clinton/Bush ticket. Can't lose.; 4/7/14, 8:50 AM
test said...: David said...
Hispanic immigrants are key to the Republican future. If the party writes them off it's goodbye for a half a century in national elections.

Let me understand: we have to support policies we know lead to the long-term decline of the American economy because otherwise Hispanics will vote Democratic and and the Democrats will implement policies leading to the long-term decline of the American economy?

No thanks. I'd rather have a party fighting the decline all the way than one competing with Democrats to see how fast they can bring it on.; 4/7/14, 9:24 AM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Romney??

Look again at the video where Obama stupidly mocks Romney with the juvenile line "the 80's are calling and they want their foreign policy back". Romney just loks at Obama with a sad expression as if Romney is thinking "Wow poor Obama- he is so uninformed and inexperienced" but Romney doesn't respond to the childish Obama because I guess Romney is too kind. We need someone who will fight back against the dumb ideas and the bad ideas and the failed programs of the Dems. Romney wouldn't do that and he won't change.; 4/7/14, 9:51 AM
Big Mike said...: I wouldn't mind giving Romney another chance.

I would.

As to Hillary Clinton, I didn't believe that Democrats actively loathe the United States until I learned that she is their frontrunner.; 4/7/14, 9:58 AM
Hagar said...: You may not be able to win the White House with your base alone, but you surely will not win without it.; 4/7/14, 10:13 AM
bandmeeting said...: It won't be hard at all for the Dems to say that. They aren't playing by the same rules.; 4/7/14, 10:20 AM
Guildofcannonballs said...: We need the Kochs to fund more Naders.

We need the Kochs to fund a black nationalist like Jay Z and his bling builder. Not Sharpton but someone with actual religious convictions who will call out leftist racism with more credibility than whitey ever could.

We need the Kocks to fund feminists and point out Dems (of any era, context is crap that can be spun so leave it all out) against the 19th amendment and to ridicule the dumb bastards who vote GOP that proclaim this madness in public.*

We need strong factions within the leftist's party that are too strong (and RIGHT!) to fold up and submit to the eventual nominee.

* Many dumb bastards insult half the electorate without concern for the effect those insults will have. Those traitors to the GOP need to shut the Hell up, or be recognized for the MOBY's I proclaim them to be.; 4/7/14, 10:22 AM
bbkingfish said...: Has there been a modern presidential election (without an incumbent) where the two party candidates were settled nearly three years before the election? I've been saying for two years that if Jeb and Hillary both say yes, everybody else can go home. 2016 will be a cage match, with more money spent than the GDP of all but the G20 nations.; 4/7/14, 11:04 AM
Brando said...: Obviously the GOP needs its base to turn out as well--but ceding moderates to the Dems (as well as 3/4 of Hispanics, 3/4 of Asians, and 9/10 of Blacks) is a recipe for defeat no matter how energized the base may be.

So the question becomes: How much of the base will the GOP lose by nominating someone who is insufficiently conservative, compared to how much of moderates and minorities will the GOP lose by nominating someone who cannot appeal to those groups? I'd argue the latter is the greater danger, as the base would already be pretty motivated to turn out to vote against someone as polarizing as Hillary. The base voter, in order to stay home or vote third party, would have to say "I'm willing to let Hillary get in there, continue with ACA, possibly nominate Kennedy or Scalia's replacement, and continue the Obama legacy rather than vote for a Senator who might still do a handful of the many things Hillary will do."

The other thing to consider is that this mostly matters in the swing states--will motivating the base move more votes in Ohio, or Alabama? Will pleasing the base help gain some votes in Kansas while turning off Hispanics in Colorado?

But aside from this talk of who appeals to what type of voter, don't forget that a good politician can sort of do both. Whatever you think of Bill Clinton, this was the last Democrat who could not only win the college-town crowd and Manhattan socialites, but also get enough moderates and even southern white men that he carried states like West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky--twice. It would be like the GOP picking someone who could pick off Pennsylvania and Oregon.; 4/7/14, 11:59 AM
Hagar said...: The establishment Republicans tend to propose solutions, or rather, work-arounds, for Washington, D.C. problems.
But us voters do not live in D.C.; 4/7/14, 12:31 PM
Fandor said...: Romney has been vetted by running the mainstream news gauntlet. Romney has the financial netork in place. Romney is recognized by a majority of voting Americans. All he needs to do, and he has time, is to reimagine and repackage the strengths he has, the qualities that swayed half the electorate to vote for him, and convince another third, that voted to continue President Obama's disastrous policies, to vote for him.
Romney is reaching out to the Tea Party. If he picks Rand Paul as his running mate, it wouldn't hurt.
As Anne says, "I wouldn't mind giving Romney another chance."
If Governor Romney cannot make the case for his candidacy in the primaries, then so be it.
There will be other candidates.
Lets see how this plays out.; 4/7/14, 5:54 PM
Joe said...: How about a constitutional amendment expanding the term limits to any siblings, parents, spouses or children?

Were it up to me, I'd ban everyone who ran for ANY office in 2012 from running for ANY other office.; 4/7/14, 8:21 PM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: I thought Romney was a decent candidate up until the 47% remarks. He is tainted now both with those remarks and his election loss. On what planet is he a better candidate than Jeb Bush.; 4/7/14, 9:27 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: Hell, I wouldn't even vote for the Bush--I think he's Jeb's son--who ran for land commissioner. Although he did win the primary and is expected to win the general, so what do I know.

George P. Bush. Rated maybe 3rd (after George Clooney) as top bachelor of either 2000 or 2004 (when his uncle was running for President). Ran the Hispanic outreach program, or some such. Is half Hispanic (through his mother, Jeb's wife), fluent in Spanish, etc. Roman Catholic (contrasted to the Episcopalian religion of the other Bushes). Good looking, family man.

The Land Commissioner job (or whatever it is), is a stepping stone. I would guess next either AG (UT law grad) or Lt. Gov., depending on vacancies. Then, following his uncle into the governor's mansion.

If there is going to be another Bush in the White House, it will be George P., and likely not his father, JEB. He has the connections, the looks, and is ethnically (half) Hispanic. That is big for the future - good looking Hispanic Republican. Grew up working in politics (taking on that national Hispanic outreach program in his early 20s). And, so far, hasn't made the mistakes that his Dem counterpart, JFK, Jr. did.

Before you discount him, keep in mind that he won't be running for President, if he ever does, for another generation or so. By then, there is a good chance that his uncle (and grandfather) will be much more fondly remembered.; 4/8/14, 11:31 AM