Reality TV with Real Consequences Part 6

By Chuck Marshall



           Jeb "Desperate !" Bush


Governor Jeb Bush - Republican (Florida)

How do I start with the candidate that I'm most disappointed with in this election ?  As a Floridian I've always been proud of Jeb ! as the smarter, more even keeled, most dignified and likable of the Bush family.  As a governor he was excellent.  You had that feeling that things were getting done and that they were getting done correctly when Jeb ! was governor.  He had that leadership quality. When he spoke you trusted him and he always did what he said he would do.  He was an excellent governor of Florida despite what Donald Trump may lob his way.

In a previous blog I listed Jeb ! as being in my "top three" along with Ben Carson and Marco Rubio but unfortunately for Jeb !  That is no longer the case.  His campaign has slithered into the mud with the rest of them throwing  mud balls that cost millions of dollars--- and still he loses !  He was especially shameless in New Hampshire when he and  Chris "big bully"  Christie clearly calculated to take out Marco Rubio by rattling him up with full frontal attacks from both flanks.   I can't support him for that and for three other reasons;

1)  He's a terrible speaker.  I've never witnessed a candidate who so frequently trips over his tongue.  It's very distracting and it tells me that deep down, he doesn't really want the job.
 
2)  Overall, he just seems timid and unsure of himself.  That won't work in times of trouble in our country.  We need a confident leader who's sure of himself, not just sure of his last name.

3)  He's bringing out his family to campaign for him.  This might have been ok if he had done that from the beginning but that he does it now smacks of desperation.    It's a desperate attempt by a desperate  man who has morphed from a fine leader into a political "sell out".  He is willing to ignore his principles and drag his family out of retirement in order to get a job that he doesn't even really want.

His campaign and candidacy is a fiasco, or to use the words of his arch rival - The Donald -"It's a disaster".

Come back to Florida, Jeb ! and run for governor again.  Rick Scott is an atrocious governor and we miss the good and decent man that you really are underneath it all.  Come back to Florida and shine in the sunshine as the leader that you can be.

Selecting the Presidential Candidates- My personal Take

By Chuck Marshall


 Since the Presidential primaries are brewing "good and hot" right now, it seems appropriate that I entertain who I think would be the best selection from each party.

     For the Democrats,  I choose Hillary Clinton.  The only other choice is Bernie Sanders whom I believe is totally unqualified and is really not to be taken seriously.  A self-described socialist ?    I'm sure he means well and yes, we all want to see the "fat cats" get what they deserve but trying to make our country prosperous by taxing the wealthiest among us simply doesn't work.  It has been tried many, many times and in many, many different ways.  As Margaret Thatcher put it  "the problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people's money".

     For the Republicans.  I have narrowed my choices down to three candidates.  Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ben Carson.   (Carly Fiorina is my "also ran", but I decided I needed to get it down to three)

Marco Rubio-  He's sharp as a tack.  He's young and energetic.   I have never seen a person answer questions from the press  with such brevity and effectiveness.  I've never seen someone so quick with comebacks during debates.  He knows his stuff and he has thought everything through.  He seems sincere and he seems to want the best for our country.  He speaks Spanish which I think means something as our country has become more diverse.   Marco is from the middle class and understands the American middle class.  He knows the challenges we face every day.  I really like Marco !

Ben Carson-  Ben is very smart but more measured than Marco.  I like that he holds onto his faith at a time when I'm sure "handlers" have advised against bringing it up.  After all, he might  offend someone or challenge the people to consider their own faith or lack there of.    Ben is a self-made  man who rose from the bottom of society to the top.  This impresses me immensely.   Some people say he "doesn't know foreign policy", but I've been impressed by his determination to learn all he can and offer intelligent answers to questions.  In other words, he saw the problem and admitted it and is working on it- he didn't just lie about it like Donald Trump.    He is sincere and has a very good understanding of the constitution which is, in my humble opinion,  the most important thing a candidate should know. (President Obama is unfamiliar).  I really like Ben !

Jeb Bush-  Again, very smart.  Jeb has suffered badly due to his poor debating skills.  I agree he is bland like a bowl of oatmeal, but oatmeal will stick to your ribs and sometimes it's just much better for you.  The thing about Jeb is he knows his stuff., he has thoughtful answers to complex questions.  Above all, he has the experience.  None of the other top candidates  has served in an executive  position (as in governing, not executive of a real estate interest that declared bankruptcy 4 times).  Jeb was a successful governor here in Florida.  He proved himself and understands how it all works, there will be no "learning curve".  (Obama is still in the learning curve !)   He was an EXCELLENT governor !  He's genuinely nice guy ( Donald Trump is genuinely NOT a nice guy.)  I really like Jeb !
Oh, and by the way.... I really don't like Donald Trump.  In case the reader was wondering.