For all the media attention bestowed upon the younger son of Pres. George H.W. Bush, most of us agree with his mom. A new poll shows we don’t want Jeb Bush to run for president in 2016.
The WSJ/NBC poll asked Americans if they agree with a statement by former First Lady Barbara Bush…In January, Mrs. Bush told C-Span that there are “more than two or three families” that should seek high office.
It turns out that most people agree – some 69%.
The desire for new faces runs stronger among Republicans than Democrats. Some 77% of Republicans agree with Mrs. Bush, compared to 67% of Democrats. But the desire for something different cuts across virtually all income levels and demographics.
While Mama Bush’s statements apply to the Clinton family as well, former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton polls higher within her base than former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush does in his.
…Bush and Sen. Rand Paul (R.-Ky.) can only wish they were as popular among Republicans as Hillary Clinton is among Democrats.
A substantial 77% of Democrats view Mrs. Clinton in a positive light, with only 6% viewing her negatively, according to Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.
That 71-percentage point spread is more than two times larger than the difference in how Republicans view Mr. Bush (40% positive, 12% negative) or Mr. Paul (42% positive, 10% negative).
Jeb continues to encourage “will he run” speculation among pundits, and they have nothing better to do than try to handicap his chances more than two years out.
As someone who was subject to Jeb’s rule for eight long years, I’m doubting his appeal will grow, at least not if it’s based on qualities like warmth and joy, which Jeb is utterly lacking. And as far as being “the smart one” goes, that’s a pretty low bar. Having a buffoon for a brother tends to make anyone look brainy.
