… along comes this bit of cheery news:
Ever since “Bridge-gate” threatened to derail the once “inevitable” nomination of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as the Republican presidential candidate for 2016, Jeb Bush has been hinting that he might jump into the fray. And with last week’s Facebook announcement, the former Florida governor has emerged as a serious contender — if he chooses to run.
The announcement of an exploratory committee has generated instant excitement because many Republicans feel that the former governor stands a very real chance of winning both the Republican nomination and the general election. Though the pundits have pored over all of his liabilities, most importantly the damage that his younger brother inflicted on the family name, Jeb Bush brings a lot to the table for 2016.
If he handles this process the right way, Bush has the opportunity to put together a strong campaign. Democrats and his Republican opponents should be worried.
Granted, this speculation comes from one Julian Zelizer, “a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University and a New America fellow. He is the author of ‘Jimmy Carter’ and the forthcoming book, ‘The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress and the Battle for the Great Society.'” And exactly which Republican ever thought Tony Soprano was “inevitable”? Still:
The most important asset Jeb Bush offers is that he is a known commodity, someone who is greatly respected in Republican circles. In this day and age of freewheeling primaries, the comfort level that experience and familiarity provides to potential donors and voters means a lot.
Republicans are desperate to win back the White House after eight years of Democratic rule. Their recent success in the midterms whet their appetite for gaining control over the government. Republicans know that the electoral math will be extremely difficult for them in 2016 as more voters, particularly among Democrats, are likely to come to the polls and the electoral college map favors blue…
Jeb Bush is a good campaigner and he shouldn’t be taken lightly. If he puts his full heart into this race, and it still remains unclear thus far that he will, Hillary Clinton and other Republican contenders should be worried that the 2016 election could be another year for the Bush family.
Read the whole thing. And be afraid. Be very afraid.
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