"Hardball" just featured a segment in which Jeb Bush's recent remarks--takedowns, actually--on the current and future condition of the GOP were discussed by host Chris Matthews and guests Michael Steele and Ron Reagan with a certain mystification. In brief: What's up with this?
To me it seems all too clear, there's nothing mystifying about it. Jeb Bush is running for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, which is bound to be an open nomination after Mitt Romney gets his butt kicked this November; an event Mr. Bush altogether anticipates--indeed, is counting on. Bush envisions a return to political normalcy, to paraphrase another GOPer of bygone stature, and Jeb Bush is both pushing that transformation along and hoping to capitalize on it, to seize it, at just the right moment.
The irony. His brother destroyed the Grand Old Party. He may save it.
Joan Walsh agrees:
http://www.salon.com/2012/06/12/what_jeb_bush_really_said/singleton/
Posted by: Tim | June 12, 2012 at 05:48 PM
You beg the question: Evolve into what?
It is the nature of politics that a party must logically get from one point to another. The Democrats seem to be moving into former Republican policies, such as balanced budgets and a strong military. "No new taxes" seems to be dying a slow death. Culture war issues only engage people over 60 - and not really them.
The Democrats seem to be for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and a Swiss-style healthcare system. They also seem to be a balanced budgets with progressive (fair) taxes. Locking in the above essentially means fixing the size of government. protecting them is conservative. I think balanced budgets can be the basis for a 20 - 30 year run for Democrats.
I am not being cheeky. What will be policy basis for a transformed GOP? jeb will need to be FOR something.
Posted by: Robert Lipscomb | June 12, 2012 at 07:08 PM
To my mind the irony is Jeb thinking the name Bush will be forgotten in 2000 anything. He was likely a better choice than his brother for the residency at 1600 Pennsylvania but thanks to his machinations with Ms. Harris and Daddy's appointments to the SCOTUS we got Shrub. Karma will thus prevent him from the job he was likely groomed for. Or as a wise person once opined "Karma is a bitch if you've been one."
Posted by: Robinswing | June 13, 2012 at 03:51 AM
Dad always like him better.
Posted by: Peter G | June 13, 2012 at 08:28 AM
"The irony. His brother destroyed the Grand Old Party. He may save it."
Sorry, PM, we hardly ever disagree, but... bullshit. The last thing anyone, including the Republican party, needs is another Kennebunkport Corleone.
Posted by: Susan Zoon | June 13, 2012 at 09:21 AM