GOP Establishment Trying to Recruit Jeb Bush

[Frodo]

They're clearly underwhelmed by everyone else running or likely to run:

Influential Republicans working to draft Jeb Bush into 2016 presidential race

By Philip Rucker and Robert Costa,
Updated: Saturday, March 29, 6:04 PM

LAS VEGAS — Many of the Republican Party’s most powerful insiders and financiers have begun a behind-the-scenes campaign to draft former Florida governor Jeb Bush into the 2016 presidential race, courting him and his intimates and starting talks on fundraising strategy.

Concerned that the George Washington Bridge traffic scandal has damaged New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s political standing and alarmed by the steady rise of Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), prominent donors, conservative leaders and longtime operatives say they consider Bush the GOP’s brightest hope to win back the White House.

Bush’s advisers insist that he is not actively exploring a candidacy and will not make a decision until at least the end of this year. But over the past few weeks, Bush has traveled the country delivering policy speeches, campaigning for Republicans ahead of the fall midterm elections, honing messages on income inequality and foreign policy, and cultivating ties with wealthy benefactors — all signals that he is considering a run.

Many if not most of 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney’s major donors are reaching out to Bush and his confidants with phone calls, e-mails and invitations to meet, according to interviews with 30 senior Republicans. One bundler estimated that the “vast majority” of Romney’s top 100 donors would back Bush in a competitive nomination fight.

[BaconBacon96]

Smart move.

[Frodo]

Smart move.

It's also smart for Bush to hang back and see what happens with regard to Chris Christie and Scott Walker this year.  Chris Christie is likely damaged goods by this point regardless of whether he is directly linked to the Bridge scandal, and Scott Walker is in danger of losing his bid for re-election in a key swing state.  Even if he somehow wins, it will be by a margin so narrow that it undermines whatever hopes the GOP has of using him to appeal to a broader electorate.  Ultimately I am not expecting either to run.  

In February 2015 we can expect both Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush to officially announce their candidacies.  

[henster]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

[RogueBeaver]

Oh please, Walker was always going to win by 4-6. Establishment would always be tempted by Jeb, even before Bridgepalooza. If Jeb doesn't run they'll split between Christie, Cheese and Rubio.

[Mordecai]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

[Potatoe]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

[Mordecai]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

[Potatoe]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

What about the Tea Party? Many there won't vote for a guy who's not only a Bush, but also a friend of the Former Mayor of New York, and supported both Amnesty and Common Core, I'm not saying it's unwinnable, but without winning the Tea Party vote, it'd be pretty darn hard to win.

[RogueBeaver]

Almost like Christie, Cheesemen and Rubio are Shermanesque... oh wait.

[Potatoe]

Almost like Christie, Cheesemen and Rubio are Shermanesque... oh wait.
[/quote
RB, who the heck is Cheeseman?

[Mordecai]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

What about the Tea Party? Many there won't vote for a guy who's not only a Bush, but also a friend of the Former Mayor of New York, and supported both Amnesty and Common Core, I'm not saying it's unwinnable, but without winning the Tea Party vote, it'd be pretty darn hard to win.

If McCain and Romney could win the nomination, Jeb probably could too.

[Mr. Morden]

Almost like Christie, Cheesemen and Rubio are Shermanesque... oh wait.

RB, who the heck is Cheeseman?

"Cheesemen" = the two "cheeseheads" (that is, Wisconsinites) who are contemplating a run for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination = Paul Ryan and Scott Walker

[Potatoe]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

What about the Tea Party? Many there won't vote for a guy who's not only a Bush, but also a friend of the Former Mayor of New York, and supported both Amnesty and Common Core, I'm not saying it's unwinnable, but without winning the Tea Party vote, it'd be pretty darn hard to win.

If McCain and Romney could win the nomination, Jeb probably could too.

Romney and McCain had to go back on their own Political Positions to get the nomination, if Jeb did it too, he'd probably lose another couple voters.

[Potatoe]

Almost like Christie, Cheesemen and Rubio are Shermanesque... oh wait.

RB, who the heck is Cheeseman?

"Cheesemen" = the two "cheeseheads" (that is, Wisconsinites) who are contemplating a run for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination = Paul Ryan and Scott Walker

Well, the Ways and Means of losing Ryan are many, and Walker'd have to win by at least 8 Points to be seriously considered, but if he either loses to Burke or wins narrowly, he's done.

[Bull Moose Base]

Almost like Christie, Cheesemen and Rubio are Shermanesque... oh wait.

RB, who the heck is Cheeseman?

"Cheesemen" = the two "cheeseheads" (that is, Wisconsinites) who are contemplating a run for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination = Paul Ryan and Scott Walker

What does the rest of it mean though?

Bush wouldn't clear the field the way Hillary would but I'd guess Rubio, and to a lesser extent Christie are less likely to run if Bush does. Also Huckabee.

[Joshgreen]

Republican donors are delusional about candidate's electoral chances, as per usual.

[Simfan34]

I'd support him, but his name is Bush and I feel like this remains a problem.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

The 3 men standing in the GOP primary would be Perry, Jeb and Paul. Jeb is a viable candidate but we will see how he stands up to scrutiny in a GOP primary on his conversion on immigration.

[Mordecai]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

What about the Tea Party? Many there won't vote for a guy who's not only a Bush, but also a friend of the Former Mayor of New York, and supported both Amnesty and Common Core, I'm not saying it's unwinnable, but without winning the Tea Party vote, it'd be pretty darn hard to win.

If McCain and Romney could win the nomination, Jeb probably could too.

Romney and McCain had to go back on their own Political Positions to get the nomination, if Jeb did it too, he'd probably lose another couple voters.

I think he could still make up the difference with all the money he'd get. In that regard, courting donors, the biggest threats to him are Chris Christie and Scott Walker, who aren't exactly quality candidates.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

What about the Tea Party? Many there won't vote for a guy who's not only a Bush, but also a friend of the Former Mayor of New York, and supported both Amnesty and Common Core, I'm not saying it's unwinnable, but without winning the Tea Party vote, it'd be pretty darn hard to win.

You may be right, but I suspect the Republican's odds are better if they nominate and electable candidate and they try to get the Tea Party to vote for him, than if they nominate a Tea-Party candidate and try to get the nation to vote for him.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

You mean like how they did last election and got eradicated?^

An uncharismatic multimillionaire venture-capitalist from a minority religion nominated less than 4 years after an unprecedented financial disaster was never 'electable' nationally. Jeb Bush might be.

[Mordecai]

Common Core and Amnesty will be the death of Jeb. He is a BIG proponent of Common Care which TPers absolutely despise and an avid supporter of amnesty we all know what that did to Rubio. I don't know why people think he would have such a clear path for the nomination especially with rising stars like Paul, Cruz, or Walker potentially in the race. He'd be the guy who hasn't competed for an election since 2002 running against people that have all been recently elected in the past fews been on the trail etc.

He will have the support of the donors who think he's the most presentable candidate who can win, just like with Romney in 2012.

Conservative donors like Sheldon Adelson (who supported Gingrich) and Foster Friess (who supported Santorum) will probably wise up and consolidate behind one candidate who they know can win the nomination and the general election, instead of supporting fringe candidates who needlessly drag out the primaries and ding up the establishment guy.

Bush could win the general election?

He has a better chance than guys like Cruz or Paul.

What about the Tea Party? Many there won't vote for a guy who's not only a Bush, but also a friend of the Former Mayor of New York, and supported both Amnesty and Common Core, I'm not saying it's unwinnable, but without winning the Tea Party vote, it'd be pretty darn hard to win.

If McCain and Romney could win the nomination, Jeb probably could too.

Romney and McCain had to go back on their own Political Positions to get the nomination, if Jeb did it too, he'd probably lose another couple voters.

I think he could still make up the difference with all the money he'd get. In that regard, courting donors, the biggest threats to him are Chris Christie and Scott Walker, who aren't exactly quality candidates.

Lol, I knew it!! It's funny reading this after the "occupied territories" comment by Christie.

You mean like how they did last election and got eradicated?^

Romney was the worst Republican candidate in a generation, especially going against someone with Obama's background four years after a major financial crisis. It's a testament to the GOP's ability to persuade their constituents to hold their nose and vote party line to stop Obama that he got 47%.

Jeb's biggest disadvantage is his ties to his brother, but he doesn't have an image problem to the general populace in the same way that Romney does. He's even regarded as "the smart one" by those derisive to Dubya.

And as bad as Dubya was, he was seen favorably (or, at least, non-threatening) by Latinos and Jeb has the same advantage. He's a white guy who speaks Spanish, was Governor of Florida, and has a Mexican wife and a Hispanic son. If his last name wasn't Bush we would be talking about him as a respectable candidate instead of guys like Christie or Walker. If Jeb picked a nice, likeable, smart, qualified, inoffensive Latino like Brian Sandoval as his running mate I think he stands to do a lot better than McCain or Romney.

[Suburbia]

Most people are saying if these are the only options the GOP and the Democrats have in Bush and Clinton, but their high-named candidates. The GOP may nominate Bush, but other potential dark horses like Mike Pence and John Thune may be formidable too.