Jeb says no to Senate run

Posted: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:47 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, widely rumored to be mulling a run for the Senate in 2010, today closed the door on the speculation, saying he had decided not to run.

Though he called the opportunity "compelling," he said "now is not the right time... ."

Though Bush might have been hurt by his last name -- with a brother as president, whose approval rating is at historic lows -- he would have likely cleared the Republican field.

Now, it's a wide open race to see who will replace outgoing Republican Sen. Mel Martinez.

Below is the full statement from Bush:

"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to run for the United States Senate in 2010.

"While the opportunity to serve my state and country during these turbulent and dynamic times is compelling, now is not the right time to return to elected office. "In the coming months and years, I hope to play a constructive role in the future of the Republican Party, advocating ideas and policies that solve the pressing problems of our day. We must rebuild the Party by focusing on the common purposes and core conservative principles that unite us all - limited government, a strong national defense and safe homeland and the protection of liberty tempered by personal responsibility.

"While fundamentally different ideologies divide Republicans and Democrats, we can not allow politics to come before the needs of our people and communities. We must raise the level of debate to reflect the American people's desire for change and bi-partisanship, embodied by November's historic election. President-elect Obama ran a tremendous campaign and I am proud to call him my President. I am confident Republicans will find productive ways to work together with the new administration to advance reforms both sides of the aisle can support.

"For me, there is no greater calling than education reform. Securing our nation's economic future starts with providing a world-class education to every single American student - building a system that lessens our populace's dependence on government. Through the Foundation for Florida's Future and Foundation for Excellence in Education, I remain committed to advancing policies key to a reform agenda, including higher academic standards, greater accountability for learning and more educational choices for all families.

"Finally, I thank Senator Martinez for his extraordinary service to our great state and thank the many Floridians and Americans across the country that offered me support and encouragement as I came to this decision."

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Comments

thank god. no mre bushes please. this country already needs to much landscaping from one bush to many. to many weeds need to be removed and to much fertilizer (bull_ _ it)comes with to many bushes. no thanks

ain't it the truth (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:58 PM)

What an absolute joke for Politicians of whatever ilk to constantly say, "Let's not play politics"! What does that mean......

Do they really have the future of the country on their minds, or their own ambitions of power!

Jeb knows that this is not the time....hopefully. His time has come and been squashed forever by W and his Gang!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 4:59 PM)

THERE'S a REAL TRAGEDY !!
(wink, wink)

President Bush's fat little brother....

Your Daddy wants you to be President, some day

He and your brother were two of the WORST Presidents we've ever had

Does this make the Florida Senate race possible for the Democrats ?

I really liked Obama's and Clinton's tow spokespeople,
Robert Wexler and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

both are sharp as tacks !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:07 PM)

DARN! Just when I was looking forward to Bush/Palin (or Palin/Bush) 2012. It would have been great comedy relief.

14 Days Until Inauguration Day!

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:09 PM)

Guess What Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, it will never be the right for another Bush. Whether it be in Congress, the White House, or any political office. The way you Bushes including your ancestor Franklin Pierce, a supporter of USA slavery, along with your industrial complex friends have f%^#ed the world you should all ride into the sunset and enjoy the rest of your lives.
====================================
Correction from previous post: So if it's not not an issue why make it out to be one. At leastPanaetta would would invade American citizens' privacy as Fienstien advocates. One thing we don't need is another Yale cowboy!
============== ============== ==============

Stimulus is what Americans need with transparceny. Something Bush and Dick Cheney (defacto presidrnt) could and never would boldy do.
One President at the time is true so interjecting at this crucial time would comprise foreign policy. I only hope once PE Obama does take office and takes action that he realizes we need not support and pamper Israel forever. If, we let go many terrorist acts would stop.

I see red every time I read about the huge amount of money we're spending on an unnecessary war!
=============================

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:28 PM)
I've always admired and respected you comments. So I'm asking what legitimate sources are you reading about Rolanad Burris?

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:14 PM)

No one wants to deal with another Bush!!!!!!
TAKE A HIKE JEB

Eric31, Jonesboro,AR (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:16 PM)

He's reputed to be the smartest brother, if nothing else, he knows how to read the ratings. Enough of the Bushes!

Gingerbread Momma, Jupiter, Fl (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:17 PM)

Our country has been safe from attack since the 2001 attack.

Marcus, bad comment. You could have said the same thing after the attack on the WTC in 1993 up til 9/11/2001. With that in mind, are you admitting the Bush team lacked strength, courage and wisdom in leadership?

Dan St. Louis, MO

Dan, bad comment. You can’t be serious making that statement.

April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City Terrorist Bombing 168 Killed
June 25, 1996 Saudi Arabia Khubar Towers 19 Americans Killed
July 27, 1996 Atlanta Olympics pipe bomb kills one American
June 21, 1998 US Embassy in Beirut hit with RPG by Terrorist
August 7, 1998 Two US Embassy’s Terrorist Bombing 13 Americans Killed
October 12, 2000 USS Cole Terrorist Bombing 17 Americans Killed

Are you admitting your ignorance or do you think these people who died did not count as attacks on our country? You put it out there, please explain. We are at war with those associated with terrorism against the US and you and I and our families all feel safer as a benefit of that effort. Personally, I would like to remain that way.

Marcus D., Chicago

Nice one Marcus, yet again. Dan, learn or burn.

Pete, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:28 PM)

Good!

I think we've had enough Bushes for a while. Jeb deciding not to run is a huge setback for the GOP and that could mean that seat goes blue next year. Even if Jeb had run, victory would not have been guaranteed because of his last name and his role in the 2000 election. Nobody could tell me that the Florida situation wouldn't have had an impact in the senate election. I feel that whoever the democratic nominee for the 2010 race would have had no problem hitting Bush over the head for what happend in 2000.

Geoff Landtbom (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:32 PM)

I would think that Jeb would be stepping aside regarding a Senatorial, Congressional or future Governorship bid and be paving the way for his son who is a nice looking young man, intelligent, a good speaker, an attorney I believe and half Spanish. And I'll bet somewhat more aligned in the middle then Jeb or GW.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:38 PM)

Free at last, free at last!

Bailey Quarters, Twin Cities, MN (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:39 PM)

We don't want him as Senator. We want him as president.

OUI (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:43 PM)

i hope we don't see another clinton or bush. i hope we don't see another gop president unless he is a moderate. the neo conservative, trickle down wealth, no regulation, free trade gop ideaology has caused most of america to go broke financially and as far as american values we loss that value as well. the gop has preached division, hate and seperation. that concept has hurt america for the last 8 years.

ain't it the truth (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:47 PM)

That's a break. Wonder what popped his balloon?

Wendy Minot, Santa Barbara CA (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:47 PM)

Stop the presses, alert the media this is big. This is probably the biggest story of the day, maybe the year. Holy cow! .....Now seriously, was it necessary to print this story? Who cares anyway?

eagle1776

Obviously you did sparky, else you wouldn't have take then time to respond.

Spark Eler (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:48 PM)

Considering his failed policies in Florida includeing privatizing social services, I don't blame him. Also, during his first term in office, he vetoed a bill wrote by a lobbyist by Bellsouth that would have raised local phone service to their highest rate in history. After he was re-elected, he signed the same bill. Moreover, he signed a bill that would allow Progress Energy to bill customers for a nuclear power plant that has yet to be billed. If the company decides not to build the plant, they get to keep the money.
I wished he had ran. Then the country would have seen how he ruined Florida the same way his brother ruined the country. The only difference is that in Florida, the voters are still buying the snake oil Jeb Bush is selling.

alan hawkins, ocala, florida (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:52 PM)

Where is the reporting on this Dec 30th Rasmussen poll?
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/americans_closely_divided_over_israel_s_gaza_attacks

51% of Americans fear Israel’s actions will cause more terrorism against the US (SO WHY DOES THE WHITE HOUSE SUPPORT THIS INVASION? THIS POLICY OF SUPPORT IS HURTING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY!)

44 % Israel should have taken military action against the Palestinians
41% say it should have tried to find a diplomatic solution
15% are undecided.

Only 34% of American women, and 56% of American men support Israel’s military action against the Palestinians
Only 31% of Democrats support Israel’s military action

55% of Democrats say Israel should have tried to find a diplomatic solution, a view shared by just 27% of Republicans.

Only 55% of Democrats say Israel is an ally of the US (75% of Republicans)
And 28% of Democrats say Israel is somewhere in between an enemy and an ally of the US

African-Americans 3 to 1 say diplomacy was the better way to go

Yet what do the Democratic leaders say publicly?

Glen Greenwald writes “Dem leaders out of step with voters on Israel’s attack on Gaza”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1360270,CST-EDT-open03b.article

MR, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 5:53 PM)

If someone with the name of Bush can still garner support in the Republican party let alone among Democrats and Indipendants the GOP is in big trouble.

Yes, Jeb, your big brother screwed your chances of ever holding a major political office again.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 6:00 PM)

JustTellin: '...<Blink> Then you wonder why us conservatives cringe at the thought of liberals being in charge...'

Hey, Just !
We Just had 8 years of 'conservative' rule
How did THAT work out ?

GW Bush (aka the Decider) is considered to be the WORST Presidnet in history by a large segment of the country

What kind of a job did 'Conservative' Bush do ?
His 'Conservative' father was almost as bad
(and certainly as clueless 'Read my Lips')

Hiow about it, Just ??

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 6:08 PM)

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