Politics: Not Jeb Bush?s GOP

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Politics Not Jeb Bush's GOP Does the Republican hero and former Florida governor have a place in his own party? By John Dickerson Posted Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012, at 03:44 AM ET Jeb Bush does not want to be vice president. That's what he says when he's asked directly, but he really proves it when he's talking about everything else. On issues from budget policy to leadership style to immigration, Bush, one of the most popular national Republicans, is a man out of step with his party. This does not mean he likes President Obama. He wants him out of office. He'd shove him if he could, for his repeated attacks on his brother if nothing else. But after listening to the two-term Florida governor talk to a group of reporters at a breakfast hosted by Bloomberg View on Monday morning, it's not clear how Bush could ever be the nominee of a party he says would no longer support his father or Ronald Reagan. It's not just that Bush's policy prescriptions on topics like immigration and tackling the deficit are a challenge to party orthodoxy. He also describes a more pragmatic vision of leadership—where accomplishments are valued over ideological purity—that seems deeply at odds with conservative calls for maximum constancy. This is perhaps the freedom enjoyed by those who are not running for president. But the formula Bush offers does reflect on the man who is running: Jeb Bush is describing a hole in American politics, and Mitt Romney is not necessarily the man to fill it.  "We're in decline which distinguishes us historically from where we've been," says Bush ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Jeb Bush Is Saying Amazing Things. Too Bad Republicans Won't Heed Him. Phil Plait: I Saw Saturn Through a Telescope at Age 5. It's Why I Became a Scientist. Mad Men TV Club: Has Don Draper Fallen Out of Love With Megan?	Advertisement
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