The 2016 Presidential candidate selection process will be very exciting. Every day new Democrats and Republicans look in the mirror and ask themselves "Can I be President of the United States?"
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush did that today and decided the answer is "Yes. I should run and I can offer American voters something other Republicans can't"
Here is his announcement that he is now seriously looking into running
https://www.facebook.com/notes/jeb-bush/a-note-from-jeb-bush/619074134888300
This is a decision that will change the dynamic of candidate jostling for a place in line. I describe this as the "Black Friday" of the Iowa caucuses. Just like the crowds of shoppers we have a huge number of presidential wannabes jamming the door of the political entryway. The door is now opening and we will see the contenders rushing in to make their case.
I was asked if Jeb Bush has a chance in conservative Republican Iowa "caucusland." My questionsare:
"Would the former Massachusetts Republican governor have a chance in Iowa?"
"Would a Republican governor who is socially moderate have a chance at winning the Iowa Caucuses?"
"Would a Republican governor who proposed and got passed a "universal" healthcare law passed in his state have a chance of winning the Iowa caucuses and getting the GOP nomination?"
Well you know the answer.
YES!
The name is Mitt Romney who was declared DOA - dead on arrival - as he declared his candidacy for President. He was too liberal, as Gov of Massachusetts he had no chance in conservative Iowa.
Yet he tied for and won the Iowa caucuses and went on to get the party nomination for President in 2010.
Jeb Bush brings experience as governor of Florida, one of the largest and most dynamic states in the country. He is widely seen as being able to reach across the political isle to get support from independent (no party) voters. Of all the potential 2016 Republican contenders he is best positioned to appeal to Hispanic/Latino voters. That's a value the Republicans know can make a big difference in winning the White House as his brother George W. Bush proved.
So, the 2016 caucus and primary season will be more interesting with both a Bush and a Clinton running for President. It's almost like yesterday!
1 comment:
Jeb is probably more fully rounded and competent than his brother was.
I hope he can avoid following Romney's example of plunging into the tea party pool in order to win the earlier caucuses/primaries.
Even though he almost won Iowa, the obvious pandering and 180 degree spins from his previous positions turned me off.
In one of the early debates, a question was something like "would you veto a bill that included $1of tax increases for $10 of spending cuts", and every candidate immediately raised their hand, even the more moderate ones like Huntsman and Romney who probably didn't mean it.
What would Jeb do (WWJD?) with that question?
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