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Senator Bush?

December 03, 2008 7:42 AM

ABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is putting his name in the mix for a possible Senate run in 2010, in the wake of Sen. Mel Martinez’s announcement that he won’t seek a second term.

“I am going to think about it for the next month or so,” the former governor e-mailed The Note Wednesday morning. Bush’s interest in the race, first reported by Politico late Tuesday, could boost GOP chances of holding on to a seat that promises to be closely contested.

The former governor remains popular in his native state, and he has expressed interest in working on issues impacting education and small businesses at the national level.

Bush, 55, served two terms as Florida’s governor, from 1999-2007, after losing his first run for the office, in 1994. He has worked extensively on education reform issues in both the private and public sectors, and has had success in real estate and as an entrepreneur.

Martinez -- who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Jeb Bush’s brother, President Bush -- has suffered from low approval ratings since being elected to the Senate in 2004, and was widely considered a top target for Democrats in 2010.

Among the long list of Florida Republicans who may consider a run: Gov. Charlie Crist; Attorney General Bill McCollum; Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite, Adam Putnam, Vern Buchanan, Connie Mack, and Jeff Miller; and former state House speakers Marco Rubio, Allan Bense, and Dan Webster.

A run by Bush, though, could effectively clear the field, as he would be the heavy favorite against any of those candidates, with the possible exception of Crist.

Can you add to the bottom of the Jeb Bush blog…

UPDATE: In one indication of the reception Bush would likely receive from the GOP rank-and-file, Rep. Mack essentially endorsed Bush's non-candidacy on Wednesday, issuing a statement: "Jeb Bush has a proven track record of leadership that would once again benefit the people of Florida , and indeed the entire nation. He would make an outstanding United States Senator.”

December 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (63)

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Please no more Bush's.

Posted by: Reilly | Dec 3, 2008 8:22:41 AM

NO!

Posted by: Bobby G. | Dec 3, 2008 8:40:08 AM

would be interested in hearing how he performed as governor. Especially how the state fared fiscally during his term.

Posted by: steve | Dec 3, 2008 8:42:49 AM

I live in Florida and recall Jeb's initial "nickname" as Governor as being "Gov. Duh". I think he exceeded that early-on reputation and is certainly no "W" (Thank the Lord for that) but, considering the hand he had to have played in the 2000 election of President "Duh-b-ya" I would rather see him stay home.

Posted by: JeboOno! | Dec 3, 2008 8:42:52 AM

If they vote for him, they deserve him. But then again, they voted FOR Katherine Harris.

Posted by: please! | Dec 3, 2008 8:43:11 AM

I can't imagine how LITTLE clout this man will have while walking around with the name 'Bush'. How on God's earth could he introduce a bill with his name on it and think that will rally support. EVeryone will forever be distrusting of anything he says and anything he does. Nobody forgets the stolen election in Florida. He's a typical Bush, another crook, another loser who is popular among "his kind" in Florida yet on a national stage he will cause revulsion. the future of the republican party is NOT a Bush, unless you want the future of the republican party to be nonexistent.

Posted by: mike | Dec 3, 2008 8:45:08 AM

Any character at Disneyworld could defeat bush after what his brother has done to the country! Bush, McCain, clinton, Obama and all Senators took an oath defend Americans but they all allowed untold numbers of death from the illegals who come here not to pick tomatoes, as idiot Bush says, but to deal drugs, harm innocent Americans, hurt law enforcement officers who try to stop them with no federal support. A whole bunch of Washington politicians need to be in jail for allowing this great harm to innocent Americans and believe this---they did it for money they got from big business not love of the down-troden like the liars proclaim! To all American Patriots---you allowed this to happen by not standing up against corrupt Washington!

Posted by: rockychance | Dec 3, 2008 8:45:45 AM

Absolutely right Reilly! NO MORE BUSHES anywhere in government! The Republicans will want to nominate Jeb and another Bush is the last thing this country needs.

Posted by: Bob | Dec 3, 2008 8:46:41 AM

I agree with Reilly and I live in Florida We don't need another Bush anywhere in Gov and Jeb is a religious nut too just like George Remember the Terry Sciavo Case who do you think passed state laws for one person and drove the fight to washington JEB thats who so if you want that kind of stuff going on the Jebs your man if not you don't want him

Posted by: Dennis Fort Myers Fl | Dec 3, 2008 8:50:35 AM

So, does "thinking about it" mean he wants to see how many people puke at the mention of another bush in national politics??? Maybe Republicans want to remain a dead party. Last week we had ROmney's critique that the big three shoud go under, i'm thinking, hey, maybe there is a future for this party, but then yesterday we see dingbat Palin everywhere in the news and today I see Jeb. Nope. Nope. they're dead and beating the dead horse just to make sure I guess.

Posted by: used 2B republican | Dec 3, 2008 8:50:53 AM

Steve -
Jeb Bush left his protege, now Gov. Charlie Crist, with a fiscal mess to deal with. The housing foreclosures are huge and unemployment is higher than the national level, as well. He tried to focus on education in Florida, as his brother did with his national program, and left many doubting the efficacy of his programs, to put it mildly. I think Jeb does possess a "likeability factor" giving you the sense he cares (unlike his brother) but, I can't see I really agreed with his vision for the State.

Posted by: JeboOno! | Dec 3, 2008 8:51:47 AM

Dear God, please... no.... NO MORE BUSH

Posted by: paintpaintpaint | Dec 3, 2008 8:53:47 AM

Well, he can't be any worse than any of the other idiots on the hill...

Posted by: samhiguchi | Dec 3, 2008 9:05:27 AM

I know how Jeb feels, I couldn't have a dog because of my older brother.

Posted by: Libby | Dec 3, 2008 9:09:54 AM

NO MORE FREAKING BUSH FAMILY IN POLITICS OF ANYKIND!!

I mean gee whiz what are they trying to do finish off what GWB, JR already killed which is America! Hell no any one with any kind of good sense that was given them would say no to all the Bush relatives, Palin and Guiliani. Send these liars, dummies, theives and crooks home.

Posted by: Heck No! | Dec 3, 2008 9:12:33 AM

GOD HELP US ALL...NOOOOOOO
No more Bushes!!!!! After what his brother did to this country they should all hightail it out of here. Also remember Neil Bush and the Savings and Loan Scandal! I could go on and on..

Posted by: Barb | Dec 3, 2008 9:17:57 AM

Jeb is NOT a Native Floridian. Jeb is a nice guy personally, but his policies, like the 30 years of GOP economic policies failed the people of Florida and bankrupted our State. Florida continues to elect (locally) all of these religious extremists because of the amount of hillbillies and rednecks that live in our rural areas - that coincidentially cling to guns and religion - and midwesterners bringing their fly-over country values and poor driving skills.

Posted by: Native Floridian | Dec 3, 2008 9:27:06 AM

I can see it now. W came in thinking he was going to fix or finish what his dad did. Now J will go in trying to fix what W did. The Senate will position him for a run at the Presidency. This country should be run like a business, not like a monarchy. We new blood at the helm every 4 to 8 years.

Posted by: Palmstorm | Dec 3, 2008 9:27:32 AM

Wow! This guy really thinks he has a shot. I guess being delusional runs in the family! Bush 1 was bad, Bush II was horrific, Bush 3? Thank you but no thank give it a rest! I don't think the current generation of voters would consider any of the Bush's any where and I'm assuming that would possibly include at least 1/2 the republicans. The republicans are in crisis, they need to refurbish their reputation. Plus the country's new voters are more diverse ethnically and religiously and they are trending towards democrats. So if they want to stay afloat helloooo no more Bush's!

Posted by: t42 | Dec 3, 2008 9:31:39 AM

Are you folks in Florida THAT stupid? COMMON! not another bush!

Posted by: GIVE ME A BREAK! | Dec 3, 2008 9:33:52 AM

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