Sunday, December 28, 2008

They Want More: GOP Eager For Bush Senate Run


They Want More: GOP Eager For Bush Senate Run

by Jed L
Sat Dec 27, 2008 at 07:00:05 PM PST


When your best political strategy is yet another Bush, your party is in serious trouble.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush — the son of one president and the brother of another — has been working the phones since Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) announced earlier this month that he won’t seek reelection in 2010. Sources say Bush hasn’t made up his mind about running for Martinez’ seat, but that he’s getting green lights from would-be contributors and blessings from Republican Party leaders.

Strategists and political observers take it as a sign that Bush will run.

"Everything indicates that he's in," said David Johnson, a Republican strategist and the CEO of Strategic Vision. "You're not making calls and laying the ground work for fundraising unless you're clearing the field for your candidacy."

They say that between George and Jeb, Jeb is the "smart one." But that's not exactly a huge compliment, given the competition.