GOP should put a stop to Bush dynasty

GOP should put a stop to Bush dynasty
BY JOHN W. MASHEK
Copyright by The Chicago Sun Times
May 13, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Will someone please tell the Bush family that dynasties are not exactly the way of a democracy?

And while we're on the subject of dynasties, will someone please tell Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York that a last name touting her as a potential president does not entitle her to the office.

But first the Bushes. President 41 and President 43 have locked arms to praise Florida's governor -- Jeb Bush is his name if you've forgotten -- as presidential timber. Jeb has been cool to the idea up to now but is leaving office on term limits next year.

After Jeb, there are two more sons -- Marvin and Neil -- and then daughter Dorothy. We're not counting Barbara, or the Silver Fox as 41 calls her. (In Neil's case, he may have trouble because his name was linked to a failed savings and loan in Denver.)

Jeb Bush always figured to be the more qualified politician in the family. Barbara Bush always told reporters that he had the right stuff while George W.'s temper would get him in trouble.

If W.'s name had been Jones, he never would have made it to the White House. Recall 1999, when Karl Rove was instrumental in bringing to Austin a number of governors to pay homage to the then-Gov. Bush of Texas. Rove was no fool. He wanted to clear the field for 2000 and almost did with the exception of spoilsport John McCain.

Several of those governors had ambitions, too. But they must have figured the best road was to get on a ticket with a fellow governor named Bush who had the name, the connections and the money.

The roll call of visitors was impressive: Governors John Engler of Michigan, Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin, George Pataki of New York and Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania all came to cheer W's candidacy.

Thompson and Ridge wound up with Cabinet posts and Engler moved to a highly paid private job in the capital. Only Pataki stayed put.

Of course, the vice presidential search was headed by Dick Cheney, and we all know where he wound up.

The real question is this: If Jeb Bush decides to run, will the other wannabes turn into wimps and take a hike? We're talking Senators McCain of Arizona, George Allen of Virginia and Bill Frist of Tennessee and Gov. Pataki, among those mentioned for 1988.

The nation had the Adams father and son combination early its history, but none since then. Then there was President William Henry Harrison and his grandson, President Benjamin Harrison. The Taft family got into a run, but grandson Sen. Robert Taft of Ohio didn't make it as William Howard Taft did earlier in history.

The point here is that Dad and W can talk up Jeb as a loving father and devoted brother. But the Republicans ought to take a deep breath and look elsewhere. As for Mrs. Clinton, she should get strong opposition, too, if she really decides to run. As for me, I have a problem with the White House lineup since 1989 to 2009 reading Bush, Clinton, Bush -- and then who?


John W. Mashek is a retired political reporter in Washington.