I know that the republican cavalcade of candidates is so mind blowing in its scope, it's hard to take seriously in some ways.
Still, not a day goes by here when I don't read a post about how we should be scared to death of Scott Walker as the candidate, but hardly a word about Jeb, unless it comes from the left side of the site.
So today JEB! stepped into it. Did anyone besides me watch his speech? I think it's worthy of some discussion, because it is my opinion that he WILL be the GOP candidate, no matter what the polls say now.
And frankly, he scares me a whole lot more than Scott Walker does---partly because I don't think Walker can win the general, and I doubt he'll be the candidate to begin with, but I know anything is possible.
What really scares me, is that Jeb! is imo, every darn bit as conservative as Walker, but much more practiced at how to appeal to a larger demographic. IMO, his political skills are much greater than Walker's, honed from more experience, and deeply rooted in the political dynasty that is his family.
We DO have political royalty in this country, whether we want to admit it or not. The Bushes certainly qualify for that, as do the Clintons. It is SO freaking surreal to me that we may face another Bush/Clinton election, but I think we may.
So as I watched baby bro Bush today I was struck by some things. First of all, he does not present as an ideologue, unlike Walker and the rest of them. He had this---sort of angelic looking smile and baby face, a certain amount of carefully honed and practiced humility, and a message that was far more Reagan like than anything Walker or the rest have been able to duplicate.
To me, it was so to a simpering degree, but I could see the appeal to moderate republicans---and yes Virginia, they are still out there. Plenty of them. Although there is much talk about him trying to distance from his brother, it seemed to me he was after the early GWB "compassionate conservative" crap, and who can blame him. That is probably one of the few things his brother did right, never mind it's by definition another big lie. But if you ask me, he shows signs of being pretty good at it.
Of course he is the establishment pick, which means he'll be swimming in money and more chances to market himself than any of the others. Even Walker---who despite the Koch brothers, has no political dynasty to call his own, and abso-freakin'-lutely not an ounce of charisma, charm or warmth. Jeb, like his brother, has some, as much as we all shudder at the thought, but from what I saw today, he does. And I expect he'll just get better at it.
For my money, my fear is all about Jeb Bush, only WISH Walker would be the candidate. I know, be careful what you wish for and all that, but no, I have zip, zero, nada belief that Walker could win a presidential election. This is born of my knowledge of Walker and my instincts about him, certainly not from any crystal ball. I know many would argue w/me.
Still, in some ways I don't think we see what's coming w/a Jeb! presidential candidate, as some chew their fingernails to the nub over Walker. Consider that it is VERY HARD for a party to take three terms of the presidency, so we start out w/that problem.
IMO, one of the easiest ways we might be able to do this is with a Walker candidacy, and I think the GOP establishment knows this w/every beat of their greedy hearts. And yeah, the base will be angry and crabby at the mere thought of another establishment pick, and LOL, at least we can share and identify with them over that.
As influential as the Koch Brothers are through their money, I think we all miss the fact that they are seen as a threat by the GOP establishment---a threat to their power, and their judgement. And imo, in this country you are betting for the dark horse whenever you bet against the establishment of either party.
So I guess I just really believe we best start figuring out how to deal w/Jeb! And the sooner the better. If it turns out not to become the problem, we won't be harmed for being prepared for it. IMO, we will be harmed by NOT being prepared for it.