Jeb Bush Makes Cameo Appearance With Jimmy Kimmel at Emmys

Jeb Bush made a surprise cameo appearance at Sunday night’s Emmy awards. In the opening minutes of the show, he and host Jimmy Kimmel had a hilarious exchange with Jeb as the Uber limousine driver. Stephanie Merry with the Washington Post was impressed:

Kimmel tried to get into the presidential limo with “Veep’s” Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). She declined, but her chauffeur offered to let him sit up front. And the driver was none other than Jeb Bush. “I’m between jobs,” he explained. He was even wearing a uniform, topped off with a little [chauffeur] hat.

His comic timing was surprisingly impressive as he delivered a few choice lines.

“Are you nominated?” Bush asked Kimmel, and the late-night host replied yes. “Wow, what’s that like?” Bush asked.

Bush then asked whether Kimmel thought he could win, but Kimmel wasn’t so sure.

“If you run a positive campaign, the voters will ultimately make the right choice,” Bush said. Kimmel seemed heartened until Bush said, “Jimmy, that was a joke,” then threw him out of the limo.

Pumping his fist in the air, Bush exclaimed, “Jeb exclamation point!” and peeled out, showing that well-known self-deprecating Bush family humor. As one commenter noted, “Restoring my faith in the political process, one zinger at a time.”

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Jeb Bush endorses Ted Cruz in unity move for GOP

“For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama’s failed policies. To win, Republicans need to make this election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe that we should vote for Ted as he will do just that.”

And with those words, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush broke his silence after suspending his presidential campaign in February, endorsing Ted Cruz in an effort to unify the Republican Party. It is a big and significant endorsement from the establishment wing of the party. Bush’s complete endorsement, as released by the Cruz campaign:

Prescott & Jeb Bush: Distancing from McCarthy & Trump

Jeb Bush in Bristol, Virginia. September 2015. (Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

During the 2016 presidential debates, Governor Jeb Bush spent his time on and off stage trying to point out the dangers and inconsistencies of Donald Trump, a man who had mocked the disabled, disrespected Vietnam prisoners of war (while being a draft dodger), incited hatred toward immigrants especially Mexicans and Muslims, bullied candidates and citizens, encouraged violence at rallies, disparaged and mocked women, and was a blank slate on policy and governing.

Turns out Jeb was walking in his grandfather Senator Prescott Bush’s footsteps whose “most notable accomplishment may have been his denunciation of Senator Joseph McCarthy.” Yes — an earlier Bush pushed back against a fear-mongering, bullying Republican from an earlier era, as noted in the “Bush Family History” by Michael Kranish:

Ohio Governor John Kasich is choice now that Jeb is out

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It’s barely been 48 hours since Governor Jeb Bush announced he was suspending his 2016 presidential campaign, and I’ve got some thoughts.

I had my Top 3 presidential candidates, a decision that was made after researching all the candidates and narrowing it down to the ones that were most closely affiliated with my beliefs and principles … and, as usual, I fell in behind the governors. Number one was Jeb Bush. Number two was John Kasich, and number three was Chris Christie. Since numbers one and three are now out of the race, I will support Governor Kasich of Ohio.

Most Bush supporters I know have gone to Kasich. Some have gone to Rubio whose supporters have been particularly condescending in expecting everyone to move into their camp. With that in mind, this was interesting:

BUSH DONORS SLOW TO MOVE TO RUBIO: The New York Times reports that after Jeb Bush’s disastrous seven percent showing in South Carolina, Rubio allies are pressing Jeb’s donors to join him in an effort to stop Donald Trump. But:

Republicans aware of the conversations taking place among many of the party’s biggest financiers on Sunday described a wariness from many Bush supporters who felt burned by having given so much to a losing cause….There was little evidence of either a partywide distress call or donors moving off the bench en masse toward Mr. Rubio, who has positioned himself to be the most palatable and electable remaining option for the Republican elites.

The lack of urgency is surprising, given that there is barely more than a week to go until Super Tuesday awards 595 delegates in a series of contests in which Trump is expected to clean up.

This race is not over and there are still five candidates in contention. In time, each will know what to do as the upcoming primaries unfold.

Thank you, Governor Jeb Bush, for being the ‘man in the arena’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

No better man could there be right now to lead our country than Governor Jeb Bush. But the toxic political waters roil with anger, and I fear in time we as a nation will pay the price.

America is already great … never forget that. I firmly believe in Ronald Reagan’s shining city on a hill, not Donald Trump’s anti-everything, short-sighted angry vision. We are a nation of optimists, not the pessimism trumped by the loudest, nastiest mouth in the room.

Many thanks to all who were part of the Jeb Bush campaign … the boots on the ground volunteers and staff as well as the Virginia team. It is wonderful to be part of the Bush legacy of trusted and loyal volunteers and staff.

My deep appreciation to everyone who started texting and calling when the news broke. My phone went into continuous ping mode as messages came in from friends and political allies across Virginia and beyond. It’s not my first rodeo … this too shall pass … and now we pave the way for George P. Bush’s star to rise. I truly feel that someday there will  be another Bush in D.C. because they are a remarkable example of leaders with servants’ hearts.

Thank you to the Bush family, especially First Lady Barbara Bush and President George W. Bush, for their support and loyalty to a son and brother as they hit the campaign trail with Jeb.

Most importantly, thank you to Governor Jeb Bush for his willingness to step into the arena with a respectful, positive message, an actual solution for critical issues, a humbleness and quiet resolve, and an optimism for America as he offered us an issues-oriented, principled campaign. He gave it everything he had … he left nothing behind. We can ask for nothing more.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

From Jeb2016.com: “Thank you, America!”

A message from Barbara Bush … President 2016

By Lynn R. Mitchell

#AllinforJeb

Jeb2016.com

‘First Job’ … campaign ad for Jeb by George W

By Lynn R. Mitchell

#AllinforJeb

Jeb2016.com

George W. Bush arrives in South Carolina

By Lynn R. Mitchell

South Carolina is Bush country! https://t.co/koKt5KyU04

— John Noonan (@noonanjo) February 15, 2016

President George W. Bush arrived Monday afternoon with First Lady Laura Bush to campaign with Governor Jeb Bush in Charleston. The rally is scheduled for 6pm.

Then at 10pm the Bush brothers will be Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News. #AllinforJeb

Jeb Bush has national organization and momentum on his side

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Thursday, the Jeb Bush for President campaign showed the national organization that has been put together for this huge endeavor. Coming out of New Hampshire with momentum on his side, Governor Bush hit the ground running in South Carolina on Wednesday,  that has the momentum on his side going into South Carolina, Nevada, Super Tuesday, and beyond.

Leaders in the March primary states agree: Gov. Bush is the proven conservative in the race with a national organization built for the long haul.

See below for statements from leaders in Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico. Virginia former Congessman Eric Cantor is one of the state co-chairs along with former Lieutenant Governor John Hager and Kay Coles James, formerly with the administrations of President  George W. Bush and Governor George Allen.

Virginia:

“As president of the United States, Jeb Bush will rebuild our military, destroy ISIS and protect our veterans who have sacrificed to keep our homeland safe. Jeb’s commitment to the military and his solid conservative reforms to grow our economy are exactly what we need from the next Commander-in-Chief. This is why Jeb ran strong in New Hampshire and this is why he will be successful in Virginia on March 1.” – Former Congressman Eric Cantor

Latest polls show Jeb in 2nd place on eve of NH primary

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Tuesday is the New Hampshire primary, and tonight finds presidential candidate Jeb Bush coming in second in the latest polls. Behind Donald Trump, of course. What is it with people who are still supporting that man?

Anyway, by 6pm Monday the headline on the Drudge Report told the news. The Emerson poll results showed Jeb closing with strong momentum — that’s Jeb-mentum in Bush circles — on his side.

Final Poll Emerson NH before primary shows Jeb in 2nd: 

Trump 31% 

Bush 16% 

Kasich 13% 

Rubio (collapse) 12% 

Cruz (collapse) 11% 

In politics, when it comes down to the wire, the numbers start breaking toward one candidate. I hope what we’re seeing tonight is the numbers breaking for Governor Bush. With a solid ground game in New Hampshire canvassing the state in the snow leading up to tomorrow’s primary, the Bush campaign has certainly worked hard.

#AllinforJeb #Jebmemtum #TeamJeb #NeverGiveUp

Jeb tweaks The Donald in New Hampshire

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Friday morning Donald Trump cancelled a planned rally in New Hampshire when a snowstorm moved through the area, tweeting: @realDonaldTrump: Big storm in New Hampshire. Moved my event to Monday. Will be there next four days.

On Thursday and Friday, former First Lady Barbara Bush joined her son Jeb in New Hampshire for town halls. In a bit of tweaking The Donald, the Bush campaign tweeted out the following:

Jeb Bush  ‏@JebBush

.@realDonaldTrump My 90 year old mother made it out to campaign. She met Destiny, age 5.

Ouch.

Jeb2016.com

Barbara Bush comments on The Donald, Megyn Kelly, her son Jeb

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Barbara Bush has been loved by America since she came on the political years ago as wife of the vice president and then First Lady to President George H.W. Bush, then mother of President George W. Bush, and now mother of former Florida governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush. Her down-to-earth honesty and bluntness is refreshing in a world that often keeps personal opinions under wraps.

Appearing this week in New Hampshire with son Jeb and then joining him on morning news shows, the Barbara brand of honesty shone through once again on a number of subjects.  The Hill noted Mrs. Bush’s comments.

On Donald Trump’s misogynous comments about Megyn Kelly:

Former first lady Barbara Bush says she doesn’t understand how women can support Donald Trump in the presidential race over her son Jeb Bush.

“I mean [it is] unbelievable,” she on CBS’s “This Morning.” “I don’t know how women can vote for someone who said what he said about [Fox News anchor] Megyn Kelly.”

“It’s terrible. And we knew what he meant too,” she said, apparently referring to Trump’s line about Kelly having “blood coming out of her wherever” after the first GOP debate.

On Russian President Putin endorsing Donald Trump:

“Putin has endorsed him, for heaven’s sakes,” Barbara Bush said. “Putin the killer, Putin the worst. That’s an endorsement you don’t want.”

On her son Jeb:

“I love my son and I know that America needs him,” she said in the CBS interview. “He’s honest, dependable, loyal [and] relatively funny.”

Still, Barabara Bush said she wishes her son would stop minding his manners so much.

“He’s almost too polite,” she said.

“I don’t advise him but if I gave him advice I would say, ‘Why don’t you interrupt like the other people do?’”

“He’s so polite. We brought him up that way. He’s got the same values that America seems to have lost. And he does not brag like someone else we know.”

Who wouldn’t love Barbara Bush? Well … maybe The Donald. Perhaps if he had had her wisdom and direction while growing up….

Jeb2016.com

Jeb Sportsmen’s coalition co-chaired by Johnny Morris, Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance, Roland Martin

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“I am honored to have the support of these great Americans and experts when it comes to conservation and sportsmen’s rights. I strongly support the Second Amendment, and I strongly support any American who wishes to be part of our national outdoors heritage. As Governor of Florida, I worked hard to preserve lands and provide a wonderful experience for the Sunshine State’s outdoorsmen and women, and I will do the same as president.” Jeb Bush

The Jeb Bush for President campaign continues to pick up endorsements from various demographics of the population. Today the Bush Sportsmen’s coalition was announced along with some big names in the world of fishing. Below is the press release.

From  the campaign:

Following the announcement of his national Sportsmen’s coalition, Jeb Bush is pleased to welcome Johnny Morris, a conservation leader and legendary outdoor retailer, Jimmy Houston (“America’s favorite fisherman”), fishing legend Bill Dance, and legendary angler Roland Martin to serve as Co-Chairs of the national coalition to rally sportsmen and conservationists to his presidential campaign.

These American conservationist and legendary outdoorsmen say Jeb is the best pick for sportsmen in 2016.

Washington Post: ‘The GOP debate winner was … Jeb Bush?’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Yes … Jeb Bush won Thursday night’s Republican debate, hands down. As Stephen Stromberg wrote in the Washington Post (see The GOP debate winner was … Jeb Bush?):

This is the first time in the GOP presidential race in which the candidate who was the most credible on the issues also won the debate.

Stromberg added:

“… he showed that one can put in a strong showing in a GOP debate without being a bile-spouting rage machine, and he may peel off some people who are attracted to the other candidates’ confidence rather than their specific, objectionable policies.

On point, crisp in his answers, and at ease, Bush was quick to respond on policy issues that he understands and knows so well. Perhaps his well executed performance was because he didn’t have Donald Trump goading and sticking a juvenile thumb in his eye every time Bush tried to speak. The debate minus Trump was refreshing. Seven candidates were able to discuss — and spar at times — without the distractions, not to mention lack of substance, of Trump.

Does America really want Trump’s arrogance and anger?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I posted on Facebook the link to my post about Donald Trump written in August 2015 (see Kids get time-out for conduct Trump thinks will win him the White House). The only thing that has changed in the six months since then is that Trump’s behavior has become even more brazen, rude, crude, and bullying only to see his poll numbers rise as he continues to be revered by his followers who don’t care what he says or does.

A Trump supporter left a comment:

Granted I’d agree with Trump’s arrogance – even though I do support Trump because he says things as they are. But, what do you think the root cause is of why Bush’s running has failed to catch fire? Is the problem coming from within, or do you think that America has grown tired of neoconservatism and instead favor paleoconservatism? I see Jeb being too much alike the ilk of McCain and McConnell – they seem to be too politically correct.

An anti-Trump supporter responded, “He says things as they are” – God, I hope not – I don’t recognize an America that vapid and ignorant.”

Here is my response to the Trump supporter’s comment:

If I’m to believe those who support Trump, they are ANGRY. And they want someone who expresses that ANGER. And they have chosen to follow someone who is rude, crude, a bully, arrogant, and belittling. He is everything I was taught as a child — and passed along to my children — not to be. But his supporters don’t care what he says because they think he will be able to get something done in D.C.

Jeb Bush and others represent a measured leadership style which means diplomacy when dealing with issues at home as well as abroad. Yelling and saying whatever comes out of your mouth sounds great for venting. It is not great for leadership. It sounds, well, unhinged.

I do not want someone of Trump’s arrogance representing me to the world. Actually, what I see with the Trump supporters (who basically say “I see/hear nothing” of his behavior) is exactly the same thing I saw in 2008 with Obama. Democrats were so ready for a change from George W that they showed up in huge numbers to Obama’s rallies (and some swooned). They didn’t care that he had little governing experience … and we see where that has led us.

I honestly do not understand how down-right good people I know can support a man with Trump’s lack of character.

One thing I (and many others) have always admired about the Bush family is their class. They respect people and most especially our military. When did civility go out of style? They are not a “my-way-or-the-highway” mentality.

To lead, we must sometimes compromise. Trump is presenting the politics of division, fear, and saying he needs to make America great again. To me, America has always been great. We have bumps in the road along the way but we have never lost our greatness. He doesn’t present optimism. He represents every fear people have about everything. It’s unbelievable and sad to watch as a mob mentality appears to take hold.

But go beyond that and listen to his answers about how to handle the urgent issues of the day. Read his responses — it shows up better. He repeats a few sentences over and over. He’s going to make it great. It’s going to be wonderful. We’re going to love it. He never gets into details. How are we going to accomplish the laundry list of issues he claims he will “fix”? We don’t know because he’s too busy bragging about himself, belittling another candidate, and bashing a war hero or women he doesn’t agree with.

Take for example his answer at the last debate to put a 40 percent tariff on Chinese goods. The other candidates immediately pointed out that such a proposal would cost Americans in higher prices and lost trade.

Meanwhile, Bush has a proven record from eight years as governor in Florida, and has a long list of policy answers to the issues we are facing. But Trump supporters don’t care because he’s not ANGRY. Apparently, we must be loud, rude, and ANGRY to get our point across.

I’m also concerned about Trump connections and money, and how they are playing into his campaign. How many are getting paid in some way to promote him? Are the Trump trolls on social media paid? Where is that money going that we don’t know about?

Anger? Thanks, but no thanks. America, to me, is still the shining city on the hill full of optimists and hard-working good people. Yet one segment of the population is supporting a man who plays on their worst fears instead of offering the positive vision of the past.

And this is a tiny portion of what I could write about my concerns with Donald J. Trump.

http://www.Jeb2016.com