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.

Kids get time-out for conduct Trump thinks will win him the White House

By Lynn R. Mitchell

[Editor’s note: Originally posted on August 6 2015. The only thing that has changed 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.]

Like a petulant spoiled child who expects to constantly be in the spotlight, Donald Trump has gotten on this mom’s last nerve. After my many years of working with children, he is a reminder that there is always that one.

There is always the kid who disrupts the class, bullies the others, and dominates on the playground with his posturing and name-calling. For those children who misbehave, there is the time-out chair — that isolated corner where wayward children sit and think about what they have done and, hopefully, learn from their mistakes.

If Donald Trump were a child, he would have been put in the time-out chair.

Jeb’s national security and military readiness remarks at The Citadel

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Video of Jeb Bush’s Citadel speech.

Jeb Bush addressed the student body at South Carolina’s The Citadel on Wednesday and, as Jennifer Rubin noted in the Washington Post, there are “a few voices of sanity on national security:”

In a sea of self-delusion (from President Obama), fear-mongering (from anti-immigrant opportunists) and mind-numbing geopolitical stupidity (let’s allow Russia and Iran take over Syria!), there are some voices of reason out there.

Let’s start with Jeb Bush, who today at The Citadel rolls out a substantive, detailed defense proposal.

She then offered details of his national security policy. Read more here. He would:

• Grow the Army Active Component end-strength back to 490,000
• Build the Marines back up to 186,000
• Increasing Navy and Air Force firepower
• Modernizing the nuclear triad
• Study the feasibility of a high-altitude, medium-to-long endurance persistent ISR/strike system to complement the new long range bomber
• Increase the combat fleet by continuing with the F-35 program
• Explore other options for air supremacy
• Rebuild our intelligence capabilities
• Secure our basic infrastructure
• Address gaps in our border and visa security

Jeb Bush’s debate performance strong on issues, critical of Obama and Hillary

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The positive reviews continue to come in about Governor Jeb Bush’s debate performance Tuesday night. Ed O’Keefe in the Washington Post agreed with other pundits that Jeb had a good night (see Jeb Bush had a good night. But he still needs better ones):

Jeb Bush did something Tuesday night that he’s not done before on a presidential debate stage: He butted in.

“It’s my turn,” he told Ohio Gov. John Kasich as moderators attempted to ask him a question.

“I got about four minutes in the last debate,” he added. “I’m going to get my question right now.”

The former Florida governor — previously averse to the advice of media trainers and the need to speak in soundbites — delivered a stronger performance in the fourth Republican presidential debate. He fought more aggressively for air time. He used more personal anecdotes. He lightly mocked front-runner Donald Trump. And he relentlessly criticized President Obama and Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton — something few other candidates bothered to do. [emphasis added]

Jeb Bush clear, concise, forceful in 4th presidential debate – Updated

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

By Lynn R. Mitchell

.@BretBaier on Jeb: “It was his best debate so far.” @oreillyfactor #GOPDebate

— Ken McIntyre (@KenMac55) November 11, 2015

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Jeb is back. Strong performance. He was real. He talked about the issues. Didn’t back down. Held his own. #AllInForJeb #GOPDebate — Mark Langdon (@langdon_mark) November 11, 2015

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Good night for @JebBush. Clear, concise, + forceful on #economy + #foreignpolicy. #JebCanFixIt + has skills 2 do so. #AllInForJeb #GOPDebate

— Keith Fernandez (@keifer24) November 11, 2015

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As seen in the tweets above, Jeb Bush brought it to the debate stage Tuesday night with his sizable arsenal of knowledge and experience on issues concerning the economy, energy, the Veterans Administration, and other concerns of Americans. From his very first response, it was obvious he was on, and ready to face not only his opponents but to hit the trail for the weeks that lay ahead leading to the 2016 presidential primaries.

The New York Times was very impressed with his performance, noting (see A nimbler Jeb Bush turns feisty. But is it enough?):

This was a hungrier Jeb Bush.

Donald J. Trump had just finished a breezy, boastful and hard-to-follow explanation of how he would take on the Islamic State, tossing in a curiously admiring aside about Vladimir V. Putin’s performance on television.

Suddenly a voice rose from his right.

“Donald is wrong,” said Mr. Bush, uncharacteristically interjecting before the debate moderators could move on.

Mr. Bush said it again, more emphatically. “He is absolutely wrong on this.”

Mr. Trump had blithely suggested that he would happily stand aside and let others, such as Mr. Putin, Russia’s president, sort out the messy Middle East.

Mr. Bush looked into the camera and did what he has long resisted: He ridiculed Mr. Trump as naïve and unsophisticated.

Mentor Jeb Bush takes challenge by mentee Rubio in stride

Jeb Bush talked with Alex Davis in Bristol, Va., in September.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Jeb Bush has been described by the Wall Street Journal as “the most qualified candidate to be president. For all the ‘establishment’ criticism, any fair reading of his eight years in office shows it would be hard to design a more successful conservative governorship — lower taxes, limited spending, Medicaid reform, landmark school-choice initiatives. He left office in 2007 with a 60% approval rating.”

One thing he was known for while governor was personally responding to citizens’ emails, thus earning the title “eGovernor.”

After spending years building the Republican party in Florida, serving two terms as a  hands-on governor who responded to emails, and who took a young fledgling politician named Marco Rubio under his wing only to see him become an opponent in the 2016 presidential race, Bush continues on the campaign trail.

‘Freedom Caucus’ includes Virginians Brat and Morgan Griffith; here’s the list of 36

By Lynn R. Mitchell

With the turmoil on the Republican side of the aisle in the U.S. House of Representatives, questions have been asked about the 36 who are members of the “Freedom Caucus,” the tea party-inspired group that has stonewalled GOP leadership and demanded government shut-downs . Who are they?

Wikipedia has what is reported to be an accurate list of the 36 members that includes Dave Brat — no surprise there — but it also includes a name that I was not expecting to see: Morgan Griffith in the 9th Congressional District (see list here). I checked last week with his district representative for confirmation but did not receive a response.

I like the humorous Jeb

By Lynn R. Mitchell

When asked why he wants to be president of the United States, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush responds, “Because I think we’re on the verge of the greatest time to be alive.”

It is a continuation of the positive message he has shared since entering the race. Jeb was on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Tuesday, the premiere night of the show and Jeb as one of the first guests (see Ed O’Keefe’s Washington Post piece Stephen Colbert tries, but fails to knock Jeb Bush off script).

There more in the Washington Post article as well as the above video. I like the humorous Jeb.

Kids get time-out for conduct Trump thinks will win him the White House

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Like a petulant spoiled child who expects to constantly be in the spotlight, Donald Trump has gotten on this mom’s last nerve. After my many years of working with children, he is a reminder that there is always that one.

There is always the kid who disrupts the class, bullies the others, and dominates on the playground with his fist and name-calling. For those children who misbehave, there is the time-out chair — that isolated corner where wayward children sit and think about what they have done.

If Donald Trump were a child, he would have been put in the time-out chair.

Jeb’s Telemundo Spanish-speaking interview

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It’s compelling to hear former Florida Governor Jeb Bush communicate to the large Spanish-speaking community in their language, something he did in Florida on Monday as he opened up about a variety of subjects and issues (see Jeb Bush to seek Latino support in Central Florida by Ed O’Keefe in the Washington Post). At a time when he is leading his fellow Floridian Senator Marco Rubio by 28-16 percent, Jeb is shoring up support in areas that supported him as governor:

In a first as a presidential candidate, the Republican plans to sit for a Spanish-language interview with a Telemundo news anchor. He will meet with dozens of mostly Hispanic evangelical pastors at a mega-church, visit a small business owned by a Mexican immigrant and try to introduce himself to the hundreds of thousands of people who have moved to this transient region in the eight years since he left the governor’s mansion.

Interviewer José Díaz-Balart had positive remarks Tuesday morning on his MSNBC show, The Rundown with José Díaz-Balart. Díaz-Balart, a respected journalist with 30 years of experience, also anchors two programs on Telemundo, Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart and Noticiero Telemundo.

Jennifer Rubin looks at GOP candidates: ‘They’re off! (for 2016)’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Pragmatic conservative writer Jennifer Rubin took a look Monday in the Washington Post at the Republican candidates lining up for a run at the 2016 presidential race. In her Right Turn blog post titled ‘They’re off! (for 2016),’ Rubin comments on the GOP field.

In a nod to the strength of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s exploration and sure entry into the contest, Rubin notes, “The race has and will continue to be a contest between Bush and the most electable not-Bush candidate.”

Here are some of Rubin’s observations from her post:

Joel Salatin, Augusta County’s self-proclaimed heretic farmer

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Washington Post’s Andrew Jenner asks the question many who know local farmer Joel Salatin have asked: How can he appeal to the left, right, and middle in his sustainable farming endeavors (see How America’s most famous farmer can appeal to left, right, and center)?

Joel, who lives in Augusta County southwest of Staunton on his Polyface Farm, has built a reputation on his practice of farming and raising livestock without pesticides or other invasive methods freely used in today’s agriculture. He is known far and wide because of his lectures, books, and news articles such as this one in the Washington Post that have introduced him to those looking for a cleaner way to raise their food.

Somehow along the way Joel has garnered the attention of those on all sides of the political aisle:

Bill Howell responds to Va State Bar’s boycott of Israel

By Lynn R. Mitchell

News of the Virginia State Bar’s cancellation of a trip to Israel for its Midyear Legal Seminar quickly spread through social media on Saturday, a decision that appeared to come as a surprise to many within that very group who had received the news through an email.

On Sunday Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell sent a letter to Kevin Martingayle, president of the Virginia State Bar (see text of letter here):

Jennifer Rubin: WaPost’s breath of fresh air defends Israel’s Netanyahu – Updated

Benjamin Netanyahu political TV ad.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

When the Washington Post goes completely off the rails, as they have in the Benjamin Netanyahu issue, it is nice to read the rational righting-of-the-ship from “Right Turn” Post blogger Jennifer Rubin who presents a conservative perspective against a tide of liberal-think.

Amid the ongoing embarrassment of the Obama administration’s treatment of Israel in general and Netanyahu in particular for the past six years, and the unbelievable snub of not congratulating Netanyahu for his historic win on Tuesday, Rubin thumps the administration by pointing out some obvious observations (see Will Democrats follow Obema’s lead on Israel?).

Brackets for 2016 political junkies

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Since it’s March Madness and everyone is marking their brackets, the Washington Post’s Philip Bump with The Fix decided to post brackets for political junkies (see OK, fine: Here’s the 2016 election if it were an NCAA bracket).

My guy, Jeb Bush, is ranked #2 on the brackets versus #15 Chris Christie. That’s okay … #1 Scott Walker is enjoying his time in the sun before he’s knocked out by someone else, say, Marco Rubio who will then be knocked out by another. They will each enjoy their high times and their low times … so having Jeb Bush ranked #2 is fine.

Here’s what the WaPo wrote: