Republicans in New Smyrna Beach like businessman Bob Garrigues are excited about the possibility Jeb Bush might run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez when his term expires in two years.
Garrigues is typical of Florida Republicans when he says of the former governor's potential run: “He would be great.”
Most Florida Republicans and many Democrats have the highest regard for Jeb for many reasons. Simply put he did a great job as governor and has won the trust and respect of most Floridians.
One big reason for his success is that he has a very deep and sound understanding of economic principles and consequently comes out on the right side of virtually every domestic issue. He is not afraid to stick to the correct side even when it is unpopular.
Bush has the ability and Charisma to make good things happen as well as the smarts to tell what things should be made to happen.
For example, recognizing that there is nothing more stupid than taxing capital assets, Bush was instrumental in phasing out Florida ’s Intangible tax even though he caught flak from liberals for “favoring the rich.”
Bush resisted efforts to raise Florida taxes and spending and as a consequence Florida is in much better financial condition than most other states.
His study of the public school situation showed him that the way to improve public schools was to introduce school choice to the students and promote competition for academic achievement among schools. He also recognized that private education will always be better on average than public education. Therefore, he did all he could to introduce vouchers and promote private education and charter schools.
Bush achieved some success in this area despite the die hard opposition of the teachers unions who have done their best to prevent improvement in public education.
If Jeb had been overseeing the national economy instead of his brother, George, a lot of mistakes probably wouldn’t have been made.
For example, Jeb Bush would have never allowed the easy money policy that bears much of the responsibility for our present problems. Jeb Bush, no doubt, would have vetoed much of the pork barrel spending that the president allowed. And Jeb Bush would have vetoed the McCain-Feingold act that is now infringing on some of our free speech rights. The list goes on.
I feel certain that Jeb Bush would have done a much better job on domestic issues and probably would have done just as well as his brother on foreign issues.
All "real" conservatives are very excited at the possibility of Jeb Bush running for the U.S. Senate on behalf of the Sunshine State.