Jeb is exploring forming an exploratory committee sometime in the future. News about as meaningful as my news today that I am exploring an exploratory committee to find a good wing joint near my house this Sunday that delivers. But in an era when Elizabeth Warren’s strong denials are considered soft denials, this exploring to form a committee is considered major political news.
I have two personal reflections on this. The first is that around 2009 I made fun of the fact that my fiancee was rooting for ‘Noynoy’ Aquino to win the Filipino presidency (he did). A former Brookline resident, he is the son of Coriazon Aquino, the first democratically elected President of the Philippines after Marcos, herself the widow of the longtime opposition leader and ‘best President the Philippines never had’ Benguino Aquino. He succeeded the daughter in law of a former President and has to contend with the widow and son of Marcos (who both probably conspired to kill his dad) both serving as opposition figures in the House and Senate respectively. So I joked at the time, ‘two or three families vying for the Presidency is always the sign of a healthy democracy’. She gleefully texted me this news today and reminded me of my quote….
The second reflection is more of an invitation. My dad and I have talked about forming the Sam Adams Party in the event of a Bush and Hillary battle. Anyone can register for it, but we won’t be running any candidates. Instead, we will be drinking cans of Sam Adams on his porch all day long on election day, you’re all welcome to crack open a can and bring a chair to sit next to us. Our friend Nero will be bringing his fiddle.
merrimackguy says
“not really the candidate I wanted” for the partisans.
Jasiu says
I’m there!
Christopher says
He perfectly fits the GOP pattern of nominating someone who is electable and whose turn it is. Rachel Maddow pointed out tonight that 1972 was the last time the GOP won an election without a Bush on the ticket.
sabutai says
I thought you had to run for the nomination, pique some interest, gentle burn out, and play the good guy role for the next four years. I would figure Jeb would be on the docket for 2020 after losing in 2016 to Rand Paul or someone.
Christopher says
The one you describe and, at least when it comes to Bushes, sucession within the family. GWB was nominated on his first try, but he is the only one since Goldwater (with an asterisk for Ford who had never sought the nomination before 1976, but was nevertheless the incumbent).