The Third Bush

If a man were ever so worshiped and wooed by the two main candidates during the fierce Florida primary race, it’s “the Third Bush.” Youngest son of George Bush, Sr., and brother of “W.”, both former presidents, Jeb Bush is one of the most influential people in the Republican Party. His influence is particularly critical in Florida, the southern state where he was governor, and a place that could decide the future of the Republican race tonight.

But Jeb has remained silent on his preferences, saying only that he had already voted by mail, and “Thank God it’s a secret ballot!” His support is lacking on Mitt Romney’s victory count, although recently he has been inundated with letters of credence and faith from the Republican establishment.

The former governor, a brilliant personality and very popular in the Sunshine State, where he spends most of his time on his plans to reform the education system, would be very displeased with the bitter and venomous tone the campaign has taken, notably on the subject of immigration. This is a theme near to his heart, given his close connections to the Latino community through his marriage to Colombian Garnica Gallo, a young Mexican he met at the age of 17 while in Mexico as part of a school exchange program.

According to The New York Times, the former Florida governor would have personally met Mitt Romney to ask him to reduce the intensity of his attacks on the immigration front, to avoid losing the entire Hispanic community during the general election against Obama.

Some believe that the reserve of Jeb Bush, who is 58 years old, hides personal presidential ambitions. In the ranks of Republican voters dissatisfied with those in the race, some still believe an ideal candidate will emerge in the final stretch, stealing the limelight. There are a lot of people who believe that Jeb Bush fits the profile. “Many people think that Jeb Bush should run for president. I am not one of them,” Barack Obama joked at an exclusive dinner at the Alfalfa Club in Washington, at which the three Bush men were present.

This comment suggests that Jeb, a moderate known to be the favorite of his father, could have made a formidable candidate. “Never say never, but honestly, this time would surely have been the right time for me in terms of age and opportunity. But there are personal and family reasons that make it impossible,” he told CNN. One can imagine what he means by family reasons: The memory of the more-than-controversial presidency of his brother still weighs on the minds of voters. America is without a doubt not ready for a third Bush to lead the country. However, some close to him talk of the vice presidency. But for this position there is also talk of another important figure in Florida politics, and that is Marc Rubio, a senator of Cuban origin who appeals to the tea party electorate and who has the advantage of being Hispanic in a party that leaves, in this area, the biggest share to the Democrats.