The Improved Bush
Published in Der Spiegel
(Germany) on 11 November 2014
by Sebastian Fischer (link to original)
(Germany) on 11 November 2014
by Sebastian Fischer (link to original)
Translated from
by Maxi Benndorf-Brown.
Edited by Nicholas Eckart.
They’re back: Despite George W.’s failed term in office, Bush brother Jeb is warming up for the presidential candidacy. The clan’s comeback could be the Republicans’ rescue.
The Bush family is testing the waters. George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, tours from talk show to talk show with a book about his father, George H.W. Bush, 41st president. He calls it a declaration of love to his father. But it is mainly a PR campaign for the Bush clan, the most powerful political family America has ever seen, and its current bearer of hope Jeb, George W.’s younger brother.
It is not a coincidence that the former president keeps on referring to the 61-year-old Jeb during his book interviews: He would be a Republican candidate, “who could heal wounds” and who would be “a superb president,” in any case.
So, will Jeb run? There is a 50-50 chance, George W. says.
One thing is for sure: Whoever says 50-50 is testing the waters. How will the party react? And how about the American public? The Bush family lies in wait for a third presidency. And from a present-day perspective one has to say: That is not necessarily bad news.
It appeared as if Bush II damaged the family trademark – with his terribly failed time in the White House – in such a way that a political comeback was completely unthinkable. However, Jeb is clearly the more reasonable and more gifted version of his brother — the improved Bush. Foreign politics hara-kiri is definitely nothing that should be expected from this man.
The former governor of Florida has the potential to guide the Republicans back onto the path of rationality and to open up the opportunity to get into the White House. They definitely should not let themselves be blinded by their midterm victories, as a completely different America is going to vote during the presidential elections. The participation will be higher, with more African Americans and more Latinos. The other potential Republican candidates have nothing on Bush, who speaks fluent Spanish and is married to a Mexican: Not the Jesus candidate Rick Santorum, not the Tea-Party frontrunner Ted Cruz, not the radical liberal Rand Paul. Thank God!
Even though it sounds absurd, after picking a war and an economic crisis, these days the name Bush stands for middle-of-the-road politics. If Jeb Bush decides to run, his chances would be great against potential Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Dynasty against dynasty, for the second time. America’s intrinsic anti-dynastic origins do not seem to be bothered by that. It would be a good and worthy duel. And anyways, if there is one thing Americans love more than their country, it is a very big show.
The Bush family is testing the waters. George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, tours from talk show to talk show with a book about his father, George H.W. Bush, 41st president. He calls it a declaration of love to his father. But it is mainly a PR campaign for the Bush clan, the most powerful political family America has ever seen, and its current bearer of hope Jeb, George W.’s younger brother.
It is not a coincidence that the former president keeps on referring to the 61-year-old Jeb during his book interviews: He would be a Republican candidate, “who could heal wounds” and who would be “a superb president,” in any case.
So, will Jeb run? There is a 50-50 chance, George W. says.
One thing is for sure: Whoever says 50-50 is testing the waters. How will the party react? And how about the American public? The Bush family lies in wait for a third presidency. And from a present-day perspective one has to say: That is not necessarily bad news.
It appeared as if Bush II damaged the family trademark – with his terribly failed time in the White House – in such a way that a political comeback was completely unthinkable. However, Jeb is clearly the more reasonable and more gifted version of his brother — the improved Bush. Foreign politics hara-kiri is definitely nothing that should be expected from this man.
The former governor of Florida has the potential to guide the Republicans back onto the path of rationality and to open up the opportunity to get into the White House. They definitely should not let themselves be blinded by their midterm victories, as a completely different America is going to vote during the presidential elections. The participation will be higher, with more African Americans and more Latinos. The other potential Republican candidates have nothing on Bush, who speaks fluent Spanish and is married to a Mexican: Not the Jesus candidate Rick Santorum, not the Tea-Party frontrunner Ted Cruz, not the radical liberal Rand Paul. Thank God!
Even though it sounds absurd, after picking a war and an economic crisis, these days the name Bush stands for middle-of-the-road politics. If Jeb Bush decides to run, his chances would be great against potential Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Dynasty against dynasty, for the second time. America’s intrinsic anti-dynastic origins do not seem to be bothered by that. It would be a good and worthy duel. And anyways, if there is one thing Americans love more than their country, it is a very big show.
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