National Journal Drafting Jeb?
I'm in London, where The Independent has an amusing article about the 2012 GOP field. Of Jeb Bush, the article says,
Among those who have chosen not to turn up is Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida, who once again found himself the subject of an attempt to draft him into the race. Mr Bush has said that he has no intention of running, and to many sending yet another Bush to the White House may sound like desperation. But the National Journal, which is behind the latest draft-Jeb effort, thinks not.
Jeb Bush, "once again the subject of an attempt to draft him into the race"? The article suggests that this effort comes from the staid and generally opinion-free "National Journal, which is behind the latest draft-Jeb movement." This caused me to do a double take, until I realized that the piece was probably referring to National Review's high profile effort to get Jeb to throw his hat in the ring.
Whoever runs, we need to win. Prospective candidates may want to read my piece in today's Politico on why successful presidential candidates tend to have low profile staffers staffing presidential campaigns, rather than the traditional party all-stars. Here's an excerpt:
The glitz and glamour of loud, well-known personalities are tempting, but history recommends caution. To win the staff primary, talent scouts from both parties should look to campaign aides with strong work ethics — and low profiles.
In 1937, the Brownlow Commission recommended to President Franklin D. Roosevelt that he needed White House aides with a “passion for anonymity.” This advice may be even more necessary when it comes to political campaigns.
If failed campaigns past teach anything, it’s that the higher the staffers’ profiles, the worse they do at achieving the goal: getting their candidate elected.
Campaign managers, take note.
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Oct '10
Re: National Journal Drafting Jeb?
Fool me once, I wind up with George H. W. Bush, shame on him. Fool me twice, I wind up with George W. Bush. Shame on me. Try to fool me a third time with Jeb Bush, what do you think I am, a fool?
Sorry Jeb, but you swim in a polluted pond, and have been drinking the water. Your qualifications matter not at all. You, unfortunately, wear the scarlet letter "B".
Edited on Feb 10, 2011 at 8:31amJul '10
Re: National Journal Drafting Jeb?
The Bush Family Clan and Political Machine is floating so many trial balloons these days it looks like London during the blitz. If the Stupid Party goes for this, it can expect conservatives to sit on their hands like they did with for testy hands-across-the-aisle old timer Juan McCain.
Sep '10
Re: National Journal Drafting Jeb?
“Whoever runs we need to win.” I guess the “we” is the GOP. If so I disagree. The last thing the country needs is another mealy mouth, conservative want to be. That would in the long run be far worse than 4 more years of O.
Dec '10
Re: National Journal Drafting Jeb?
Of all the older Bushes, Jeb is the best, but that is not saying much. You know, there was a reason there was an expensive and disorderly FL senate campaign, last year, Rubio-Crist-Meeks. It was a Bush reason. Jeb Bush gave us Mel Martinez, a complete RINO squish. He also gave us Crist. He then supported Rubio.
I do think Jeb could make a meaningful run, next year, with an appropriately anonymous staff, but it would have to be in the Democratic primary.