The Fabulous Bushes

If the election were held today, Hillary Clinton would be president of the United States. In politics, however, speculation is worth nothing; neither is the election today, nor will what is true today be true tomorrow. It’s possible that instead of Hillary, another Bush will find his way into the White House, where his family members have been long-time tenants of 12 years.

Despite its republicanism, the U.S. has some unwritten rules when it comes to the rights of successive politicians. It’s a republic reminiscent of the great monarchies. The so-called ruling class shares ties, not necessarily through genealogy, but through certain tastes and aristocratic lifestyles. They are the elite. In the 19th century, John Adams was the second president, and his son John Quincy Adams was the sixth. In the 20th century, it was the Roosevelt family, with Theodore and his nephew Franklin. Then came the Kennedys with a more prominent dynasty: John, Robert and Ted, the sons of Joseph, a descending saga of glamor, charisma and tragedy.

The Clintons, also fabulous, have been influential in their own country, as well as the international political and cultural worlds — Bill Clinton was friends with Carlos Fuentes and Garcia Marquez and made a memorable eulogy to the admired Colombian-Mexican after his recent passing away.

The Bushes are another dynasty in the United States. When George W. decided to leave the governor’s mansion in Austin and run for president, it was Jeb, governor of Florida, who was the favorite. He was left out of the spotlight as George — the black sheep of the family to some — made his push. Now, 12 years later, Jeb would appear the most viable candidate for the Republican Party — still far from Hillary in the polls, but for a party in such dire straits, the third Bush looks lively and viable. Influential Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another aspiring candidate, considers himself a great fan of Bush, whom he calls “a leader on many fronts.”* Jeb is also followed by Christie, the charismatic governor of New Jersey, another presidential candidate. The Bush name carries weight; their 12 years of leading the country were not in vain.

The father, George H. W., was a millionaire oil tycoon by age 40 — a business partner of the ruined Jorge Diaz Serrano — and the 41st president. Unable to get re-elected, he left Bill Clinton (42) in charge, who handed over the presidential reigns to another George W. Bush (43) after eight years. The fabulous Bush family portrait includes a director of the CIA, a vice president, two presidents, two governors and an owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. The significant influence of the Bush family among Republicans could be a decisive factor in a contentious election between two towering families: Clinton vs. Bush.

The Bushes are the closest to Mexico, not only because of proximity with Texas, but also because Jeb is married to Columba, a Mexican from Leon, Guanajuato, and daughter of immigrant workers. Their children have dual citizenship, which now makes some Mexicans a part of the fabulous Bush family. Additionally, Jeb has always supported immigration, particularly for Mexicans — a group that could decide the next election.

Here in Mexico, we also have a republic, although the sagas haven’t played out quite the same way. Except for the Cardenas — Damaso, Lazaro, Cuauhtemoc and [grandson] Lazaro — and the Alemans, there aren’t much more than local strings of family leaders: the Santos in San Luis Potosi, the Figueroas in Guerrero and the Moreiras in Coahuila. However, it’s in the works that Calderon supporters could win the presidency of the National Action Party. Maragarita Zavala de Calderon, a resident of these pages, could be the PAN candidate for 2018, which would open the doors to a new saga: the not-so-fabulous Calderons.

*Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.