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| Jeb Bush (google image) |
The former governor of Florida Jeb Bush officially announced his candidacy to a fired up crowd while attacking Hillary, Obama, and a few Senators also running for the GOP nomination in 2016. He seemed too be "beating around the 'Bush'" that Paul, Rubio, and Cruz can't fix the dysfunction in Washington when they are part of the problem. Bush vowed not too be another president who caters too Washington elites but instead a leader that challenges the negative culture embedding the nations capital.
So can Jeb win?
Where the rubber meets the road...
Yes! Jeb has the establishment backing and the biggest war-chest so it's a no-brainer. However in my gut and I feel possibly other conservatives agree- we want someone else!
Here's why:
(1) His last name- Jeb will be unable too move out from the shadow of the White House legacies left by his father and brother. Having 41, 43, and now possibly the 45th President from the same family seems a bit much. Furthermore whenever given the chance in the general election topics like the 2003 Iraq Invasion and financial crisis will be brought up.
(2) Common Core Education- I have heard it called "Obamacore" which doesn't sound good but I must admit too not being educated on the specifics. However my wife is a teacher and I understand
there was not enough input from educators in the drafting and much was ignored when it comes too early childhood development specifically.
Frankly though I don't even need too get into the "standards" because the Core takes away from states rights. It was created by private organizations funded by the federal gov't with no accountability too the taxpayers. Education cannot be fixed with a one size fits all "hat". One plan education for hundreds of millions across millions of miles cannot be good for the parents and students at the local level. That's why education was not intended to be the responsibility of the federal gov't in the first place.
(3) Immigration- I consider myself a conservative and I realize imperfect border security is better than no border security.
-I consider myself a conservative and I realize the GOP can't survive appealing only to white voters. (By the way I liked Jeb's speaking Spanish during his speech and holding the announcement at Miami-Dade was a good move. He will appeal to Hispanic voters which we need.)
-I consider myself a conservative and realize the status-quo on immigration is non-enforcement.
But...
Despite what he says I have this "gut" feeling Jeb's reform will be essentially amnesty and -I consider myself a conservative and am not for that.
Therefore,
Although I think Bush has the best chance too win against Hillary, should he get the conservative support? I just don't know. However we need too decide quickly so if he is the eventual nominee he will not be bloodied and wounded like Romney was last go around going into the general election. Hillary has already got the other side locked up and she's not even talking much less trading punches with a primary opponent. I find it unbelievable that a candidate running for president could have a strategy of not running too win. But it's working because she still wins in the polls. Incredible.
That being said...
My "head" says Jeb has the establishment, the money, and the resume (he was a good governor).
My "gut" says two biggies- education and immigration he's wrong on.
So Head or Gut?
A little advice for Jeb...
The first reason I wrote above of why Jeb couldn't win was him being a Bush and Americans desperately want to move away from another Clinton or Bush Presidency. However he and his advisors are handling the issue all wrong. Even a popular commentator on Fox (whom I respect) said Jeb was doing a good job distancing himself from the Bush name.
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
Doing things like making white posters with Jeb in big red letters surrounded by exclamation points is ridiculous. One of the things he has going for him is he looks presidential but Jeb sounds more like a mayor in the hills of Kentucky or West Virginia (no offense intended but you get the point).
Don't try too hide from the Bush name because it's impossible with the Democrats bringing it up every opportunity anyway. So instead of hiding, embrace it. Take out the venom's sting. Make the Bush name a positive. Be proud. Bush 43 is a better politician but Jeb is smarter and should no better. Both of them have big hearts and I think that's why he had trouble answering the "Iraq" question. He's listening too his advisors about what he should say or do instead of what he thinks.
Jeb, you love your family, your proud of your family, your family is part of who you are- so don't run from it. Americans like leaders who are proud and loyal to their family. It actually won't be that hard too flip it because the Bush family is popular with the American people. As far as his brother's policies Jeb has too convince America he's his own man but wouldn't he have too do that anyway?
As long as he's running away from the Bush name why shouldn't we?
Related Article: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/jeb-bush-announces-bid-for-2016-republican-presidential-run/ar-BBlaZVm?ocid=AARDHP
