Fate and the End of an Era

[Valin]

Townhall:

Bryan Pruitt

Jan. 14 2015

 

So much of life’s ups and downs are determined by twists of fate. Hard work and talent can get a person 95 percent of the way there, but almost all success stories include a ‘big break’ at a critical time in life that clears the path and changes a career forever.

 

We must remember this as we contemplate the case of the continuing chatter about Jeb Bush running for president in 2016. Washington elites are so scared of a real Republican primary in 2016 that they are pushing the former-Florida governor into running.

 

Let us first say without equivocation: Jeb Bush was a great governor of Florida and would have made a great president. RedState has policy differences with Gov. Bush on a few issues, but that in no way diminishes his eight years serving the good people of Florida. Charlie Crist (when he was a Republican) and current Gov. Rick Scott stand on his shoulders.

 

(Snip)

 

The Republican Party must avoid falling into this trap at all costs. Jeb Bush seems better suited at this point in time to play the role of ‘candidate filter.’ Instead of running himself, he could serve as an undisputed and trusted arbiter of whether a potential candidate ought to be taken seriously by the primary electorate.

 

The Republican Party is in dire need of such a person. We are awash in consultants whose only goal is to play matchmaker between rich donors and ego-driven, clownish non-candidates........(Snip)

 

 

The intellectual battle for the party’s nomination promises to be rigorous and will be a delight for Republicans, the nation, and the world to witness. It will be in stark contrast to a Clinton coronation beset by old ideas recycled from a bygone era. This sets up nicely for victory on Election Day.

 

Bryan Pruitt is a D.C.-based director at RedState.