by Mark Silva
Jeb Bush should run for president, according to his father, a former president. But for starters, former President George H.W. Bush says, his son, the former governor of Florida, could make a reentry to political life with a run for that Republican-held Senate seat opening in the Sunshine State.
"I'd like to see him run," the 41st president said of son John Ellis Bush, aka "Jeb!" On the campaign trail, in an appearance on FOX News Sunday. "I'd like to see him be president some day.''
Jeb Bush might already have been president, had he won his first bid for the governor's office in Florida in 1994, which he lost, and had his older brother lost his first bid for governor in Texas that year, which he won. Fate is funny. It tends to favor the winners.
The former president, while voicing frustration over the extent of the criticism his son the president faces, does concede that "there were some things that clearly he deserved criticism for.'' And, as for Bush 43's successor, President-elect Barack Obama, the former president says the incoming president is so articulate that sometimes it sounds like Shakespeare has written his lines for him.
Now the fluently Spanish-speaking retired Florida governor, all of 56 years old, is taking a hard look at the Senate seat of Florida's Mel Martinez, who fled Cuba as a child in the "Pedro Pan'' airlifts and will not seek a second term in 2010. And his father says Jeb is suited for that and more.
""As president, it's about service, service for the greatest country on the face of the Earth and the honor that goes with it," Bush said on FOX today. "I think Jeb fits that description.
"Right now is probably a bad time, because we've got enough Bushes in there,'' dad conceded, but in the meantime, ""If Jeb wants to run for the Senate from Florida, he ought to do it. He'd be an outstanding senator. This is a guy that really has a feel for people, the issues in Florida and nationally. And his political days ought not to be over, says his old father."
The father confesses to certain hurt feelings over the criticism his older son is suffering as he prepares to retire from the presidency - just today, in fact, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid repeated his contention that President George W. Bush is "the worst president'' ever. (Reid has said it before, and said it again on NBC's Meet the Press today.
"It's been tough on his father and his mother," the former-president said. We're not very good sports about sitting around and hearing him hammered, I think, unfairly.
""Now, there were some things that clearly he deserved criticism for," he said. "But I think the idea that everything that's a problem in this country should be put on his shoulders -- I don't think that's fair. And I'm not trying to get back in game by criticizing people, for example, the New York Times, but you know, it's just grossly unfair."
On Wednesday, the former president will join two others, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, in a luncheon at the White House with President-elect Barack Obama. The former President Bush offered nothing but kind remarks for Obama.
"I talked to him right after the election and... assured him that he was my president," Bush said. "I've very impressed with his style on the campaign and his coolness and his articulate nature. I think he can give a sentence and it'll sound like it's been thought out by Shakespeare or something."
Bush, known for skydiving well into his old again, plans "one more parachute jump" in June, when he will be 85.
"There's a thrill with it," Bush enthused. "Just because you're an old guy, you don't need to sit around, sucking your thumb, drooling in the corner."
Comments
Bush Sr. needs to take his Prozac and have a nap, he is hallucinating again. Excuse me George H., but your sons are idiots just like you, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, If your idiot other son ever runs for President I will give up my business and dedicate every hour of every day and encourage everyone else I know to do the same, to making sure the pinhead loses. NO MORE BUSH FAMILY IN THE WHITE HOUSE EVER AGAIN. THE IDIOT BUSH FAMILY HAS DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO THE USA AND THIS WORLD, GET LOST AND DON'T EVER COME BACK BUSH.
Posted by: Democrats 08 | January 4, 2009 3:15 PM
God help us. I hope not, not after the current Prez Psychopath and Vice-Prez Psychopath.
But you never know because I see Republicans on here still spanking the monkey of smaller government when Reagan and the 2 Bushes ran up something like 70% of the national debt this country has generated in more than 200 years. This doesn't even count the $700B bailout to corrupt bankers.
Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me.
Fool me three times....
Are American voters dumb enough to be fooled three times by the House of Bush?
Posted by: Bill | January 4, 2009 3:35 PM
Is Poppy Bush brain damaged? Does the USA need a third Bush to bankrupt the nation--again?
Posted by: Vivian | January 4, 2009 4:43 PM
Poppy is getting senile and has already forgotten that W screwed the brand.
Posted by: Quippy | January 4, 2009 5:14 PM
The oligarchy is really out of control.
Posted by: 9/11 Truther | January 4, 2009 6:20 PM
Jeff Bush for president?
Wow!! if that the case.. God must plays a cruel joke on Americans people.
Does anyone remember Terri Schiavo and the Saving and Loan scandal ?
does the Senior Bush think that everyone in america has the brain like Ms. Terri Schiavo ???
Posted by: Keith | January 4, 2009 6:56 PM
Another Bush? Well, I called it here two years ago. Jeb will run.
But, this his how I picture the 'GWB Legacy'.
Remember the fake turkey he gave to the troops in Iraq a few years ago?
Our pensions, and health care were stuffed inside that turkey.
We may not get out of this 'Bush Box'.
I've said it before; America jumped off the cliff in '04.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/opinion/04rich.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
Posted by: C.Morris | January 4, 2009 7:12 PM
Another Bush? Well, I called it here two years ago. Jeb will run.
But, this his how I picture the 'GWB Legacy'.
Remember the fake turkey he gave to the troops in Iraq a few years ago?
Our pensions, and health care were stuffed inside that turkey.
We may not get out of this 'Bush Box'.
I've said it before; America jumped off the cliff in '04.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/opinion/04rich.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
Posted by: C.Morris | January 4, 2009 7:13 PM
Say Hey! This country has had enough of the Bush's to last us a 100 years! Bury the Republican party and the Bush's with a burial at sea and to not be heard from again! whiteagle38
Posted by: R. Juneau | January 4, 2009 9:47 PM
Yes Bill, do you think if we keep reminding pugs about their despicable irresponsibility with money and our national debt, that they will start to understand that they are being lied to by their party leaders? Yes, the 3 latest pugs in office are responsible for more than 70% of our national debt. If you vote pug, you NEED to read the label of the baby food jar that daddy feeds you out of with that shiny silver spoon of his.
Posted by: Xcellentform | January 5, 2009 12:46 AM
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Posted by: Dr JIVASIO POSVO | January 5, 2009 5:49 AM
It will never happen.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | January 5, 2009 6:55 AM
Eighty five year old pappy Bush is certainly looking his age these days, eh. Bush #41 should be in a nursing home.
Maybe JEB can make Rudy his running mate...or that one from Alaska. Hockey Mom pitbull Palin. That would be a ticket now
Posted by: Doug R. | January 5, 2009 8:39 AM
Old man Bush is delusional.
His son has set the all-time record for incompetence and destructiveness.
The name "Bush" should remain politically toxic and radioactive for a half-life of fifty years.
Posted by: JOHN CHUCKMAN | January 5, 2009 9:57 AM
I will make it my personal life's mission to keep every connection to the Bush family out of leading the USA. The Bushes are a twisted, corrupt, and a bunch of failures, because they deceive the American people. Stay out of our government!
Posted by: C.J. | January 5, 2009 11:04 AM
Fool me once....
Fool me twice......
But fool me three times?!!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport ✌ | January 5, 2009 11:20 AM
Jeb Bush for president.....
of a raw sewerage company in a Flarduh trailer park.
Posted by: Can O Whoopass | January 5, 2009 11:37 AM
They don't call it the Bush Dynasty for nothing.
Of course Poppy believes Jebby the Jebster can be elected.
He actually thought Jebby would run when Georgie did.
Unfortunately Jeb suffered a setback when Graham beat him in the first try for Fla. governor.
Georgie meanwhile advanced in TX and was in place to run in 1992.
Yes, there is a Bush money machine and at the moment it's idling in the garage, waiting for the next passenger.
After Jeb, don't forget George P. waiting in the wings (Poppy once called him my little brown one). You remember, the one who used to go around yelling "Viva Bush"?
Both Jeb and eventually George P will be run for national office, at least senator if not president.
After all, there are no other politicians of any note left in the Republican party, are there, now?
The Bushes figure they own it.
Posted by: ornery | January 5, 2009 11:30 PM
I hope Jeb is smart enough NOT to run for President. Even Harry Reasoner said, "I think it would be one Bush too many" quite a long time ago.
Will Jeb ask Kathryn Harris to be the Vice-President? We need to check with Saturday Night Live for a Kathryn Harris look alike now!
Can the Republican party ever redeem themselves after all this? Bush, Cheney, et al, we can't wait for January 20, 2009.
Posted by: Linda in Fresno | January 5, 2009 11:57 PM
No More Bush-Inc
What is happening in Florida? Is anyone paying any attention down there? I just read that on Fox News Sunday that past President, George H. Bush, thinks that it would be good for all Americans if his other son, the former Governor of Florida, was President of the United States one day. Do any of you people get out? Florida, let me stir your kettle-of-fish with the femur-bone of reality.
“W” just successfully closed the longest-running, most-expensive frat party in the history of the world. It was so messy afterwards that they had to hire a janitor, Barac Obama, to clean up afterwards. Now the younger Bush-brother, not to be out-done, wants to book the Whitehouse for his frat pals in eight-years.
Florida, this is where you need to pay close attention. The Senate Seat that will be vacated by the Republican, Mel Martinez, is no accident. It’s a void-of-convenience for Bush, Inc. Mel is leaving it because he has been paid handsomely to step aside so Jeb can do Florida a favor. Jeb, won’t do Florida any favors.
Jeb has already used Florida as a doormat to acquire untold wealth and get his brother elected. After his term as Governor was up, he took his vastly accumulated wealth from Florida’s development lobbyist back to Texas in a tractor-trailer. These same lobbyists are the ones that are responsible for turning the “Rainbow Rivera,” a once flourishing, proud south Florida community, into the “Repo Riviera.” Now, Jeb plans to use Florida as a condom to commit rape on Lady Liberty. Do the Bushes have no shame? Is anyone in Florida using his/her top three inches?
Florida has always considered itself a “politically progressive state.” To that point, I have a progressive idea. Let’s “out-source” the soon to be vacant Senate Seat of Mel Martinez. “What do I mean by out-source?” you ask. If you haven’t been paying attention, let me fill you in on a frightening trend here in America. It’s called out-sourcing and politicians think it’s the best thing since no-term-limits. Let’s do unto them what they have been doing to the working class for decades. Let’s find someone over in India, Pakistan, or maybe even Mexico to sit in a “Virtual-Senate-Seat.” This Virtual-Senator couldn’t possibly be any more corrupt than an actual Senator. We can save millions by just letting the “Senator” telecommunicate from whatever country he’s in. Just think of the overhead we could save on perks alone. As a bonus, we could lease out the office space in the capital building and make enough money to pay the Senator’s salary, costing the people of Florida nothing out-of-pocket. When you consider that our Representatives only work 72-days-a-year, we may even clear a profit. Now, that’s what I call progressive political thinking and an idea whose time has come. While we’re on the subject of out-sourcing, let’s start a new political party, a grassroots movement if you will. We’ll call it the “Out-Source Party.”
Posted by: Bruce Wachob | January 6, 2009 8:14 AM
I now know exactly what George W. Bush meant when he called some Democrats "the angry left".
P.S. See the many angry comments posted above.
Posted by: yg1968 | January 7, 2009 1:23 PM
if jeb bush does run for president in the future he would NEVER GET MY VOTE!!the bushes should never again be allowed into the whitehouse.after 8 hard years of millions of jobs lost,millions of homes forclosed upon,and a government that serves only rich corporate interests and not the average working people who the hell could be stupid enough to vote for any bush again.or any republican?
Posted by: demonskull7 | August 22, 2009 12:49 PM