Jeb Bush would be a strong presidential Republican candidate for 2016. JEB BUSH has demonstrated a willingness to butt up against mainstream conservative thought, giving Republicans a candidate those on both sides of the aisle could strongly consider.
As the former governor of Florida he knows the constraints of a budget, he has a strong base of support, a familial tie to the Hispanic community, incredible name recognition, is a staunch supporter of public education, and he’s made himself an authority on immigration.
In his 2013 book, “Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution,” Bush endorses a pathway for illegal immigrants to attain legal resident status, but not citizenship. That in itself would woo a large swath of Hispanics the Republican way, plus the fact that his wife of 40 years, Columba, is a native of Mexico. Jeb Bush handles Spanish as easily as his native tongue.
Four U.S. families have had two generations occupy the White House: the Adamses, Roosevelts, Harrisons and Bushes.
If Jeb Bush were nominated, the fact that the office is viewed somewhat of a legacy — not necessarily a good thing — would be pooh-poohed if Hillary Clinton were the Democrats’ choice. And vice-versa.
Detractors say Bush has been out of elective politics too long and is rusty. He last campaigned for governor in 2002.
But not being a perennial candidate has its positives.
Since serving as governor, Bush spent several years studying public education and advocating for the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
He’s also used that time to make a lot of money. He serves on the board of directors of a handful of large corporations, including Tenet Healthcare, which has paid him more than $2 million for his service to date.
He’s also dabbled in real estate and private equity finance. As a public speaker, he generally garners $50,000 a pop.
That takes guts, not ego.
Good for him.
— Susan Lynn
Another Bush tests presidential waters
