Via the LAT: Jeb Bush decides against running for U.S. Senate
Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and brother of President Bush, has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate, ending weeks of speculation that he would try to preserve a family power center in the nation’s capital.In contrast to his older brother, Jeb Bush left office with high approval ratings and a reputation as a master of policy. He was considered the strongest contender for the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Mel Martinez in 2010.
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So it appears for now that the Bush era in national politics will end when the president leaves office later this month. And Republicans will face a wide-open primary for the Florida seat and potentially strong opposition from Democrats in 2010.
Given our ongoing penchant for legacy politics (see, e.g., Caroline Kennedy), this is a healthy outcome for US politics. That statement, by the way, has nothing to do with Jeb, as based on what I know about him, would have been a better candidate for the GOP than a lot of the 2008 batch. However, at some point the notion that a specific family ought to be repeatedly vested in substantial public power is antithetical to the spirit of democracy. Still, it seems unlikely that it is the utter end of the Bush era in national politics, as one could see Jeb getting the itch again, and there is always George P. (Jeb’s son) who has indicated interest in the family business.
Along those lines, I will say this: when George H. W. Bush lost in 1992, it seemed that his tenure in office was going to adversely affect his sons’ political ambitions, and we know how that turned out, so one oughtn’t count too much on current sentiments extending as far into the future as one might think. On the other hand, George W. Bush has done a great deal more damage to the Bush name that Papa Bush ever did.
More, including Jeb’s statement, at The Buzz: Jeb’s not running.
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January 7th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Family dynasties don’t bother me so much if they’r duly elected. Appointments, on the other hand, are more problematic (i.. Murkowski). As far as the Bushes, Jeb’s high approval ratings in Florida leave the door quite wide open for a George P. run. Ever since he was a law student at UT-Austin, there’s been speculation that he’ll run (throw in the Hispanic heritage, and voila, he’s a new Bush).