JEB ON THE OFFENSIVE – AT 10:14 A.M. ET: There are more and more indications that Jeb Bush is running for president, leaving talk of Mitt Romney behind. From The Politico:
Jeb Bush is wasting no time taking on Hillary Clinton, even though neither party’s potential 2016 standard-bearer has officially committed to a presidential bid.
Speaking at a closed-press fundraiser in Connecticut on Wednesday night, Bush suggested to potential donors that the former secretary of state would have to explain President Barack Obama’s foreign policy mistakes, Hearst Connecticut Media reported Thursday.
The outlet, anonymously citing attendees who heard Bush’s remarks, reported that the former Florida governor took another not-so-subtle jab at Clinton.
“He said, ‘If someone wants to run a campaign about ’90s nostalgia, it’s not going to be very successful,’” Hearst Connecticut Media reported, citing another person present at the event.
Bush spoke to the crowd of 175 people for about 30 minutes, and spent another 30 minutes taking questions. The event, a fundraiser for his new Right to Rise PAC, was held at the home of former Goldman Sachs executive Charles Davis.
Bush also dismissed broad comparisons to his famous family, according to an attendee.
“He said, ‘Do you have a father? Do you have a brother? Are you the same person?’” the unnamed source told Hearst.
A Bush spokesperson declined to comment, citing the closed-press nature of the event.
COMMENT: Bush would probably prefer Clinton as an opponent because it negates the "dynasty" issue.
I think his getting started early is the right thing to do. After a time, people get tired of the number of Hamlets out there who can never decide whether to run for president. That's what doomed the late Mario Cuomo.
It's getting fascinating already. And the question of course is, "What will Hillary do?" She wants it, but the lack of enthusiasm for her on the left wing of the Democratic Party is apparent. And Elizabeth Warren is sounding more and more like a candidate.
January 8, 2015 |