Jeb Bush, now “officially” a Republican presidential aspirant, is easily stereotyped as a flabby blue blood whose political accomplishments derive overwhelmingly from ties of family. Many are his critics, and their negative comments generally take the form of endless sniping at the man simply because his last name is “Bush.” That he actually complied a pretty decent record as Florida’s governor doesn’t seem to matter to people who see it as their business to demolish this latest scion of the Bush dynasty.
As Florida’s governor, Jeb Bush compiled a record that was neither packed with spectacular accomplishment nor blemished by dismal failure. Rather, he viewed his tenure as Tallahassee’s top hierarch as one in which his role was primarily that of providing Floridians with a sense of stability. By nature, the Bush family delights in political calm and deeply distrusts political extremism. Jeb Bush fits his family’s generally moderate pattern. His thoughtful and calm approach to immigration is to his credit.
Immigration likely will dominate America’s domestic agenda over the coming decade. Jeb Bush may be the one who manages to break America’s logjam over the issue.
Frank W. Goheen
Camas
