Another Bush for president?

Popular former Florida governor named as possible presidential contender

In light of gains the Republican party made in the Senate Tuesday night, Nov. 4, many have begun to eye potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election in 2016. One particular individual that has many in the Grand Old Party excited is Jeb Bush. The last name may sound familiar, as he is the son of former President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush, as well as the brother of former President George W. Bush. While political success runs in the family, Jeb Bush has a few unique qualities that make him a strong presidential candidate.

Past experience as governor

Jeb Bush, elected 43rd governor of Florida in 1998, has displayed strong handling of bureaucracy and the economy. A two-term governor, Jeb Bush cut $19 billion in taxes, including the intangibles tax, and phased out the state’s death tax. Through the creation of such organizations as the Center for Efficient Government, the governor was able to reduce the size of the state bureaucracy, making it more efficient and cost effective. An article written by the Washington Policy Center stated that Jeb Bush “reduced the number of state government employees by 13,726, a 6.6 percent reduction of the 210,209 employed in 1999.”

Additionally, the article stated “Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed over $2 billion in new spending initiatives.”

While improving the economy and shrinking the state’s bureaucracy, Jeb Bush was also praised for his handling of the eight devastating hurricanes that hit the Florida coasts during his time in office. As his president brother took serious heat for his handling of Hurricane Katrina, Jeb Bush saw approval ratings soar for his work in protecting his state. These actions demonstrated the former governor’s competence and experience, qualities that have seemed to be absent in Washington, D.C. over the past six years.

Appeal to minorities and women

One of the major problems with the Republican Party illuminated in the 2012 presidential election was its lack of appeal to minorities and women throughout the country. This has been an issue debated back and forth among media and party personalities and seems to be something that needs to be addressed in order for a Republican to gain control of the White House.

Jeb Bush could be the answer to this problem, as he scored well with minorities and women in his governor elections in Florida. The Washington Post wrote that the governor won 14 percent of the black vote in 1998 as well as 50 percent of woman voters. George Will, Pulitzer Prize winning columnist for the Washington Post, wrote that “Bush is fluent in Spanish and accomplished at courting the approximately 17 percent of the Florida electorate that is Hispanic. He received 61 percent of their votes in 1998 and almost that
much in 2002.”

Forward-thinking policies

As stated in previous articles, the Republican Party desperately needs a positive, reform-centered set of policies that convince Americans that its way of handling the country’s needs is the best one. Jeb Bush has had a strong history of such policies in education, where he has implemented school choice agendas, and in immigration, where he supports reform that is badly needed. While some conservatives criticize Jeb Bush for his support of the “Common Core” national education model, it should be taken with a grain of salt, as he has shown a strong track record of positive education reform.

One area that may be a stumbling block for his potential run for the presidency is his family tree. His two immediate relatives who have served as president of the United States have some people worried that electing another Bush could make one too many of his family to sit in the Oval Office. The idea of a Bush family dynasty has raised concerns that the founding principles of our country will be abandoned.

Ironically, the Republican Party’s major opponent in the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton, has a strong presidential pedigree as well. After all, the U.S. has a long tradition of familial politics. Many members of the Roosevelt and the Kennedy families have paved the road to Capitol Hill, dominating both federal and state politics for decades. Yet this issue will continue to arise as Jeb Bush gives more indications of a presidential bid in 2016.

Sutherland is an opinion writer.