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Kevin Williamson Ends Jeb’s Candidacy
Because, really, there is no way — no way at all — for the former governor of Florida to recover from Kevin’s assessment over at NRO. The concluding paragraph:
Jeb Bush was a good governor in a different era. In this era, he is a good man with his heart in the right place even when his head isn’t, an unquestionably decent gentleman and an ornament to the Republican party with no obvious reason to be its presidential nominee, much less president of these United States.
Jeb may console himself, at least, that his epitaph was written by one of the two or three best prose stylists in journalism today.
Published in General
Just so.
My biggest problem is simply what it would be like to have the third Bush IN A ROW as Republican president. This is ridiculous and we must stop him as soon as possible.
(And if that doesn’t convince you consider this: Jeb is Mike Murphy’s first choice. That, by itself, should convince you to vote against Jeb.)
“…no obvious reason to be its presidential nominee, much less president of these United States.”
Exactly. Yet, there is an obvious reason for him to have refrained from running. If anything, he is ruining what is left of the Bush legacy. Barbara had it right. She’s smarter than all of them. But as Jeb said, she’s aging and watareya gonna do? I want to be President too, Mom!
I listened to Jeb’s press conference given in Spanish and I was impressed (with his Spanish, not with his politics). He gives thoughtful responses with ease in good Spanish (with a slight English accent).
Republicans are lucky that, so far, the Democrats don’t have a presidential candidate who speaks Spanish as easily as Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio do.
I don’t think that kills his candidacy. $100,000,000 buys a lot of air time in a lot of states.
Kevin could’ve almost as easily written the following
They are both men of extraordinary character and intellect. Bill Whittle described Gov. Romney as perhaps the most decent man since George Washington and who is to argue.
Jeb ended Jeb’s candidacy by managing to have no apparent political ability when placed upon a national stage despite having a last name that causes rich people to fling money at him in the same manner as teenage girls once threw their underpants at the New Kids on the Block.
One of the many things I don’t like about Jeb- or perhaps I should say Jeb!- is the plain fact that if he’d been named Jeb Schicklegruber he’d never even be considered to be any sort of presidential material this decade- even if he’d also been a successful governor of Florida long ago.
I note that there is no draft John Engler movement, and George Pataki seems unlikely to be the next GOP nominee.
Even worse, Jeb Schicklegruber, with the same resume, likely never would have managed to become governor of Florida- and certainly wouldn’t have gotten a second chance after losing the first time.
Go home Jeb, where you can speak Spanish all day long and no one will care.
Bush’s ascendancy to early primary front runner status a few months ago says much more about the sad state of the republican party than it does about Gov. Bush.
Bush’s amazing support from mainstream deep pocketed donors says the central party actors and financiers are fine with the status quo. A little massaging around the edges, a dash of reform here, a few less executive orders there, but for the most part keep the government growing, borders open, the tax credits and corporate subsidies in place, increase defense spending, and everything will be alright.
The world of conservative voters is much more challenging and conservative enemy #1 is the status quo.
Until those writing these huge checks to Right to Rise PAC understand that a government powerful enough to give them what they want is powerful enough to take it all away there will be this divide in the republican party.
Nor are they likely to: the only buzz about a Hispanic Democrat this cycle is speculation that Clinton might pick Julian Castro (former San Antonio
mascotmayor* and current HUD Secretary) as her VP, and he doesn’t speak Spanish at all.*San Antonio’s city manager does the, you know, managerial stuff. The mayor cuts ribbons.
Also, hello Ricochet!
Bingo!!!!
Jeb has failed to capture the zeitgeist of the times which borders on panic – for good reason. In hindsight Romney probably did as well although in his defense not everyone was convinced it was time to panic in 2012 (yes, yes, I know that some of you did. Gloat on, you prophetic sages!).
This country is in free fall and if the GOP doesn’t win in 2016 the destruction will be complete. I don’t care how many houses of congress you control POTUS is the big prize and has far more power than congress.
Told Ya So!
I expect Jeb will keep crawling along like the half body terminator lugging his torso toward Sarah Connor. The people behind Jeb can cast their eyes at Rubio in terms of doing what they want but nobody is the insider like a Bush. He’s not going anywhere.
That is awesome.
Now . . . to whose side will Jeb’s consultants flee?
My guess that this charade continues until Iowa, maybe even New Hampshire. After Jeb! locks down two primaries out of the top 5 the CEO of Right to Rise PAC puts a call into Gov. Kasich.
Hello, SC. Welcome aboard.
Despite the title of this post and respect to Peter Robinson, Jeb is not going to let Kevin Williamson run his campaign. That’s Mike Murphy’s job.
The plan is (conspiracy alert) keep Jeb alive until Florida and, when massive ad funds are needed in that State and Super Tuesday, grab the mantle and dare Republicans to support the marginal conservative candidate. Before you win the nomination, you must win the “inevitable” consensus – Szun Tzu Franco.
Fox News is uniquely placed to tell Republican primary voters who has a chance and who doesn’t. Would they have any reason to do that?
It doesn’t matter much what NRO says or what we say here.
That’s basically the fundamental problem. The GOP don’t know or care to understand their natural allies. If they were listening they wouldn’t have seen fit to spend money on this guy in the first place.
Hola!
We speak English around here pal. This isn’t Jeb! headquarters. At least not anymore.
Speak for yourself, gringo!
Do you have any knowledge or opinion regarding who was the hunter and who was the prey. Did Mike choose Jeb!, or did Jeb! choose Mike?
Mike Murphy reminds me of Candi. She’ll get you into the private room, work in $500 extra tips and you don’t even get a hand jeb!
Are you serious about Julian Castro? I just assumed he spoke Spanish.
Also, Welcome! Come farther up and further in!
Opinion: Jeb was more the prey of the donor network. They schmoozed him and flattered him and the only obstacle was Columba (bless her heart) and Mom Barbara. Could Dad and bro say, no, you shouldn’t run we are pulling up the drawbridge to the castle after we left, sorry kid.
So all indications are that he was conscripted. His demeanor reflects that notion as well.
Oui! Nous parlons Anglaise ici!
Jeb is a competent and more like-able Hillary.
Note that this should not be construed as an endorsement for President.
But… I thought Kevin Williamson was an establishment tool who was wrong about everything.
Way to set the bar low.
Kind of the point.
When you have the big donors behind you, it’s never over. You’ll eat it, and you’ll like it.
Kevin is making nice with the establishment because he’s starting to fear this Trump thing is for real.