Fair warning: Do not let Jeb Bush slip off the radar. Ever.

[seafan]

The Case Against Jeb

Dan Sweeney
December 10, 2008

I usually don't post my print columns here at HuffPo, because they tend to deal with local problems and politicians that would be of interest only to my fellow South Floridians. But the news last week that Sen. Mel Martinez will retire in 2010, and that Jeb Bush will likely run to replace him, is an item that, if nothing is done, will deeply effect all Americans. With that in mind, I felt this week's column may be a fun read for people everywhere. So, here ya go kids! Fair warning: The language is a little brusque at times, but one of the great advantages of writing for the alternative press is that, when necessary, cursing is permitted. And few topics warrant the inclusion of obscenity more than Jeb Bush.

Amid all the ado over President-elect Barack Obama's ongoing cabinet appointments, the news passed fairly quietly in the national media that Sen. Mel Martinez would not be running for re-election in 2010, citing the usual reason of a desire to spend more time with his family. The immediate announcement was eclipsed by the news, just a short while later, that former Gov. Jeb Bush was interested in running for the post. Neither of the stories came as much of a shock to me--hell, I predicted Martinez wouldn't get re-elected in 2010 on my old blog, Doomed Generation, in November 2006, and nothing about Jeb shocks me anymore. But I'm hoping that maybe Gov. Charlie Crist gets it in his ambitious little heart to hit the primaries against Jeb, because Florida does not need another minute of that swaggering, self-righteous, egomaniacal, avaricious prick.

But let me tell you how I really feel, ace. One need only look to the hagiography of recent editorials to see how the conservative movement is already circling the wagons around King Jeb. In a Dec. 5 piece, Michael Barone of U.S. News and World Report wrote, "Bush, in my judgment, was the outstanding state governor of this decade. ... Operating in a state where liberal newspapers, teachers' unions and trial lawyers maintained a continual barrage of criticism, Bush and the Republican Legislature produced the nation's best education reform and major changes in healthcare, while Bush himself proved masterful in handling hurricane relief."

Clearly, Barone didn't live in Florida under Jeb's rule. The governor did everything in his power--and a great deal outside his power, if his "devious plans" comment regarding Florida's classroom-size amendment is any indication--to make education better for the wealthy while taking funds away from the neediest schools, install his "Heckuva job, Brownie"-like cronies all over both the education and hospital systems and, as far as hurricane relief, fiddle while Florida drowned. We didn't have anything as bad as what happened in New Orleans in those couple of awful hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005, but it will be difficult to forget Jeb, in the aftermath of Wilma, chiding ruined homeowners for not having enough ice in store, after days without power would have melted it, anyway. If Jeb is the "outstanding state governor of the decade," Marie Antoinette was Mother Jones.

.....

By all accounts, Jeb is deadly serious about this senatorial run, and the Democrats have few statewide officials that could run against him. The best hope is that Charlie Crist makes a run of it and either wins the primary or so bloodies Jeb that he's easier pickings in the general for a Democrat like Representatives Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Robert Wexler or Kathy Castor, the latter of whom was the only Florida Democrat to vote against the $700 billion bailout bill, giving her some populist credence.

And then there's the only Democrat holding statewide office, state CFO Alex Sink, who may represent the Democrats' best hope of saving the Senate from the putrefying presence of Jeb Bush. Crist, Sink, whomever: Somebody has to shut Jeb down and to do so, they'll have to start early -- like, now; 2010 isn't far away. And before you accuse me of suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome or some such nonsense, know this: I suffer from Contemptible Fuckwad Derangement Syndrome. Family name has nothing to do with it.

Another bit of Jeb news--- surprise! Jeb's just taken a corporate swill position on yet another board of directors:


December 1, 2008

...Rayonier, a Jacksonville-based timber and real estate company that claims ownership of 200,000 acres along Interstate 95 from Savannah, Ga. to Daytona Beach.

The company should be familiar with Bush — Rayonier did tens of millions of dollars in land deals with the state while he was governor, including a $60 million deal in 2001 to connect Osceola National Forest to Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and a $30 million agreement in 2003 that put 8,465 acres in St. Johns County into the Florida Forever program.

In 2000, Bush blasted a $20 million deal with the company as too expensive but joined a unanimous vote from the Cabinet to approve the agreement. Here’s his quote that ran in the Orlando Sentinel and the Vero Beach Press Journal:

“Man, I can’t wait to get back into the real estate business and sell property to the state,” Bush said.

Lee Thomas, Rayonier chairman, said in a press release this morning, “Jeb’s management experience as governor of one of the country’s largest states and his expertise in real estate and public policy issues make him an ideal fit for our Board.”

This is in addition to his positions with Tenet Health Care, Lehman Brothers *before the fall* and CNL Bancshares. Got to fill the ol' coffers for the next political calculation. As if his multiple "educational foundations" don't mask the accumulation of large amounts of money for his political ambition..





So, did Congress hear whether Jeb Bush got his bonus at Lehman while begging for a bailout?, October 6, 2008

UPDATE 1-Lehman Brothers Holdings is focus of grand jury probes. October 16, 2008



While all the brouhaha over Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest on corruption charges, the Big Three Auto Loan/Bailout, Obama's new cabinet choices and George W. Bush's quiet, yet fast-paced rollbacks of environmental and worker protections, this calculated and sequential move by Jeb Bush toward a U. S. Senate seat is not receiving the scrutiny it requires.



Jim Morin, Miami Herald, 10/9/02



Jeb Inc., July 6, 2008 (This is a treasure trove of links to Jeb's many shady dealings while he was governor.)

Interactive graphic of his recent business dealings, July 6, 2008

When Jeb Bush speaks, people cringe, July 7, 2008

Jeb Bush raided the coffers of dedicated state trust funds to avoid raising taxes., July 7, 2008

"Veto Corleone" Bush is not done yet. Stealth school voucher amendments on November ballot., July 7, 2008

Audit scolds FEMA over payments, September, 2004 (Yeah, we are still force-fed the notion that Jeb is *famous* for how he handled hurricanes in Florida...)


And, don't forget:

Yep, great-granddaddy Prescott's little 32 year-old namesake is next in line, in case Jeb can't pull it off.

Three words in Spanish appear to have signalled a recognition by the Bush family that their dynastic reign in American politics is drawing to a close.

"No tengo futuro" — "I have no future" — Governor Jeb Bush told Spanish-speaking reporters in Florida as he prepared to leave office and was asked whether he still had political ambitions. December 22, 2006

This is what Jeb! wants us to think:








This is what we'd better be thinking:






For good measure:

BBC program that reveals the attempted right-wing coup in USA in 1933 that included Prescott Bush is a MUST LISTEN


If ever there were a hard-charging partisan with a mean-spirited and avaricious nature, it is Jeb Bush. He is currently advocating that the Republicans set up a shadow government to foment resistance to Obama's agenda.

Now, he wants to occupy a U. S. Senate seat of Florida. Jeb Bush does not have the temperament for the (*polite*) compromise and extended dialog of the Senate body. It's his way or the highway. The Senate is only a means to an end for Jeb Bush. And we know what that is.


It is up to all of us to put an end to his political ambition.

[rurallib]

1. Kick - people need to be aware of this guy.

[screembloodymurder]

27. Robin Williams says you gotta wonder about a family where the smart one is named Jeb.

I guess we've had Jethro for the last eight years.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Agreed 100%

Believe it or not, he's the most dangerous of all the Bush brothers. And had he won the Florida Governor's race in 1994, it would have been him and not Dubya who would have ran in 2000.

Jeb was always Daddy's boy.

[musette_sf]

3. more info about Jeb BS - agreed, he must be stopped

and made ineffectual. he is in deep with Florida power broker Hamilton Forman, who supported a Christo-Fascist program for Florida schools.

http://www.rickross.com/groups/gothard.html

Bill Gothard is a Christo-fascist nut job who is in big time with the Bu$hies. his batsh!t crazy organization is responsible for the "Character First!" program in Florida schools. he did the deal with Jebbie with help from Hamilton Forman, who is in bed with the Bu$hies.

http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/1999-04-15/news/the-culture-war-continues/

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/article_index/article_print.cfm?id=131

[Dennis Donovan]

4. Recommended - no more BFEE in any governmental postion - state or Fed!

...not EVEN alderman!:thumbsdown:

Let them have their own little "Lord of the Flies" down at their compound in Paraguay!

[LuckyLib]

5. "the Republican Legislature produced the nation's best education reform"

Oh, puhleeeeeze! Jeb laced the state with cronies just as his brother did DC. And the education system is the same swiss cheese that the Bushistas pulled in Texas. Smoke and mirrors, with no school left unscathed and no teacher left untrashed. You are absolutely right -- keep a wary eye on this one! OMG, another Bushie on the radar screen? Haven't we had enough already?

[Dinger]

6. Kick

I'd never take this prick lightly.:scared:

[onethatcares]

7. he truly believes he's one of the "ruling class"

never a lick of work in his life, nothing but beating down others while riding the coattails of the BFEE, No more, no mas, not again.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. I have seen PERSONALLY how MWI raped the taxpayer in

Florida... and we all know how tight Jebbie was with MWI



http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/06/news_pf/State/Ex_partner_of_Jeb_Bus.shtml
The accusation comes as the Justice Department amends a suit against a Florida man who sold water pumps to Nigeria.

Jeb Bush's former business partner, prominent Republican contributor J. David Eller, twice flew suitcases of cash to offshore tax havens to hide his assets, the U.S. Justice Department contends in a lawsuit.

The lawsuit also says Eller's MWI Corp., a Deerfield Beach water pump manufacturer, improperly used more than one-third of a $74.3-million U.S. loan to pay a Nigerian agent for the company. In turn, that agent and other company officials paid Nigerian government officials involved in buying MWI's pumps, the lawsuit says.

The government's new allegations center on a decade-old deal that has been under investigation for years. They came Friday in an amended civil complaint filed on behalf of a former MWI employee and whistle-blower who sued the company nearly four years ago. In intervening in the case, the Justice Department seeks unspecified damages against Eller and MWI.

The company denies any wrongdoing, and Friday its lawyer called the allegations about Eller's hiding cash overseas "shameful" and false.

Between 1985 and 1993, the government says, Eller flew on his company plane to the Bahamas and to Grand Cayman, once with a "large suitcase filled with currency" and once with a "large duffel bag or suitcase filled with currency." At both places, a chauffeured limousine whisked him and the money away. Eller told his pilot he was "moving his assets out of the United States," the lawsuit contends, calling it an effort to shield the money from creditors.

Eller's lawyer, William Scherer, said the flights never occurred and neither Eller nor MWI has accounts in either country.

The lawsuit by the George W. Bush Justice Department suggests no wrongdoing by Jeb Bush, who from 1988 to 1994 worked with Eller marketing MWI pumps to foreign countries, including Nigeria.

Indeed, the amended complaint omits allegations of influence-peddling by MWI -- including Eller's bringing Jeb Bush into the pump business -- leveled in the whistle-blower's recently unsealed lawsuit. That lawsuit prompted the federal investigation.

[Joe the Liberal]

9. Kick, I never want to see another Bush family member hold public office.....

EVER, EVER again, you'd have to be brain dead to vote for anyone with the Bush last name. Sure the Bush family can run a government........straight into the fucking ground. It's a nightmare when one of them is in office, you'd have to be insane to vote for them or any republican after the last 8 years.

[MadrasT]

10. Oh, HELL, no... no more of these evil PNAC motherfuckers. Ever.

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/jeb_bush.htm (with my apologies if it's already in this thread somewhere).

:banghead:

Wholehearted KICK and R...

[seafan]

11. It's time to bring the hammer down on Jeb Bush and the rest of the BFEE.

The only reason we escaped Jeb in the White House was Walkin' Lawton's victory over him in 1994.

So many un-investigated deals.... Nigerian water pumps, Broward Savings and Loan, Medicare fraud, Broward Hospital District....

Jeb Bush's former business partner Armando Codina takes $255 Million from FEC stock sale in buyout.

Jeb Bush in '06 facilitated Office Depot deal for benefit of former business partner, Armando Codina

State's land deal seen as very unusual (Jeb Bush & St. Joe Co.)

Faulty water pumps in New Orleans built by former Jeb Bush partner (Bush-El water pump co., '89-'94)

Jeb Bush, on his involvement with the fraudulent Nigerian deals: "Either you trust me or you don't."

Pirates of Tallahassee: Jeb Bush is gone, but raids on the housing fund continue

Terror bill would limit Florida scholars' travels (Jeb Bush to sign)

Bush family linked to South Florida cardiologist accused of insider trading by SEC

Jeb Bush is up to his eyeballs in shady transactions. Just from the past 2 years:

Jeb shredding state records?

Jeb's parting shot: A final massive TAX CUT (via a hidden tax increase)

Jeb Bush seized flight school records at 2 AM on September 12, 2001

Bush Family Value$

By Stephen Pizzo
September 1, 1992





In 1991, President Bush bristled at a flurry of news accounts that questioned the business ethics of three of his sons. "The media ought to be ashamed of itself for what they're doing," Bush complained. "They have a right to make a living, and their relationships are appropriate," added a White House spokeswoman in June 1992.

Since George Bush has raised "family values" as a campaign issue repeatedly, though, it seems only fair to take a look at his own family. A computer search showed that over the past five years stories have periodically surfaced chronicling the individual business antics of the president's sons -- each riding comfortably through life in the slipstream of his father's growing power and influence.

Although a handful of good reporters for the New York Times, LA Times, Village Voice, and Wall Street Journal have diligently been digging through business records for months, something has been missing: an overview that "connects the dots" in the myriad deals that have been examined, making it clear that cashing in on influence has become a pattern of behavior extending through the first family.

Instead of criticizing reporters, the president might more wisely begin listening to those in government who have watched his sons with mounting worry. A year ago, I sat across a desk from a Secret Service agent who had been assigned to Bush-family security. I rattled off the names of a half-dozen questionable characters who had found their way into business deals with the Bush boys. How had these characters been allowed to get even close to the president's sons?

The agent slumped back in his chair and sighed. "We warn them," he said in a whisper. "But that's all we can do. We can't stop these kids from associating with someone they want to be with. All we can do after warning them is to sweep these guys with metal detectors when they come around."

What follows is a sourcebook of concerns about the president's three sons.

.....

(see link for the dirty details)

It's time to bring the hammer down on Jeb Bush and the rest of the BFEE.

[Cleita]

14. Absolutely, the BFEE with their connections to the PNAC are moving

themselves into place for a run in 2012 to take over again. Jeb's wife is an elitist hispanic who will bring that demographic into play as well. It's time to bring Jebs early days as a drug dealer forward for investigation. For all I know he's probably still in the business and has his kids involved as well.

[robertpaulsen]

22. Thanks! Recommended and bookmarking.

I posted a thread one time asking which Bush family member best matched up with each Corleone family member. There was some debate over whether Dubya was Sonny or Fredo. But opinions were pretty unanimous over Jeb. He is definitely Michael Corleone, smart and all the more dangerous. One of the original PNAC signatories. Don't ever let up on that traitor.

[intheflow]

12. What's the story behind the GHW Bush crying photo?

:shrug:




And I've been saying for year that Jeb is next in line to the throne, and it's a scary thought. I mean, Dubya is scary in a vacuous, idiot way, but Jeb's eyes only indicate that he is soulless and evil--just a few steps behind Cheney.

[Usrename]

15. It's a classic, I believe it's Jeb's fairwell address.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWJHCRVs4AY

[seafan]

18. Here's the backstory:

Ex-President Bush praises Gov. Jeb Bush


Former President George H. W. Bush speaks at a leadership forum, Monday, Dec. 4, 2006, in Tallahassee, Fla. Bush was invited to the forum by his son Gov. Jeb Bush. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

By Brendan Farrington, AP Political Writer | December 5, 2006

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --Former President George H.W. Bush broke down in tears as he cited his son, Gov. Jeb Bush, as an example of leadership.

Bush was addressing lawmakers, his son's top administrators, and state workers gathered in the House chamber Monday for the last of the governor's leadership forums.

He said he was proud of how his son handled losing the 1994 governor's race to popular incumbent Democrat Lawton Chiles, and vaguely referred to dirty tricks in the campaign.

"He didn't whine about it. He didn't complain," the former president said before choking up. As he tried to continue, he let out a sob and put a handkerchief to his face. When he spoke again, his words were broken up by pauses as he tried to regain composure.

"A true measure of a man is how you handle victory and how you handle defeat, so in '94 Floridians chose to rehire the governor. They took note of his worthy opponent, who showed with not only words but with actions what decency he had," Bush said before again sobbing.

After his defeat, Jeb Bush formed a group called Foundation for Florida's Future which promoted education policy. He also helped open a charter school in a poor Miami neighborhood, helped the state Republican Party organize a convention and straw poll to have sway in the 1996 presidential election and lobbied for education and campaign finance reform bills. Bush won the first of his two terms in 1998.

"The moral of the story is to serve with honor and your governor has served with honor," the former president said.

"I'm the emotional one," Bush said later. "I don't enjoy breaking up, but when you talk about somebody you love, when you get older, you do it more."

.....

More blubbering from GHWB from that day in this old thread, if you can stand it.

[intheflow]

19. Thanks.

Don't know how I missed that one.

[EFerrari]

13. Agreed. n/t

[RandomThoughts]

16. Bush 41 had 29% approval when leaving office.

Although I don't think it compares with 43 job score in the current mind of the population.

Bush 43 became president even after Bush 41 left with low approval rating.

Thinking about it now is not the important part, in 8,12,16 years, will people still remember the Bush 43 years? Or will they remember what they have been told about them over the last few months of 2016, or 2020.

Do you remember the 80's or do you remember what is talked about the 80's now.
Do you remember the 90's or do you remember what is talked about the 90's now.


Reagan, what did he do. Do you think about what has been said that he did for 20 years, recommendations to put him on mount Rushmore, he ended the cold war. Or do you think of massive national debt, massive military spending, his supply side economics, also known as voodoo economics. Union busting. Tax cuts for wealthy.

Clinton, do you remember the scandals, or do you remember balanced budget, trade deals that helped corporations ship jobs overseas(note many other countries demanded that USA lowers their peasant class standard of living to that of the rest of the world, instead of working to raise their peasant standard of living, ok thats not fair, in the minds of many, they believed trade would help standard of living of other peasants). Tech expansion that created jobs, and a tech bubble. Attempts at health care reform. Wage increases for lower wage employees.

[dreamnightwind]

17. Thanks

for posting this. It's been on the top of my list for awhile. Jeb will be a formidable opponent. I've been troubled by the conventional wisdom that no Bush can win after W. Just wait, the spin-meisters will come out of the woodwork and we'll be hearing about how he's competent (true), intelligent (true), and moderate (not true). Most people won't find out about his radical right-wing agenda until it's too late. That's where we can make a difference.

George W. was supposed to be a "moderate". I distinctly remember he was sold to the nation that way, and the MSM bought it.

Haven't read the links yet, marked for later, but kicked and rec'd.

[Myrina]

20. ... or that obnoxious Prescott the 4th ..

... is he one of Jeb's spawn, or Neil's? I saw him blatheringon FAUX shortly after the election, from some place in Texas.

I'm betting he's the future of the BFEE, so we really have to keep our eyes on him. :hide:

[seafan]

23. George P. Bush is Jeb's spawn. Pierce Bush is Neil's.

Here's Pierce:






Pierce and Poppy
(At NCAA men's South Regional finals basketball game between Memphis and Texas in Houston, Texas March 30, 2008. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)


And here's "P":

George P. Bush might be a hunkalicious young Republican, but he still seems a bit creepy. So TSG wasn't too surprised to learn that "P" was involved in a troubling 1994 incident described in this Metro-Dade Police Department report. On December 31, 1994, Bush showed up at 4 AM at the Miami home of a former girlfriend. He proceeded to break into the house via the woman's bedroom window, and then began arguing with his ex's father. Bush, then a Rice University student, soon fled the scene. But he returned 20 minutes later to drive his Ford Explorer across the home's front lawn, leaving wide swaths of burned grass in his wake. Young Bush avoided arrest when the victims declined to press charges.

The Smoking Gun

And just last year, "P" was accepted in the Navy Reserve as an *intelligence* officer and has begun the process of being commissioned for eight years of service. <<<B l e c h>>>



Yep, great-granddaddy Prescott's little 32 year-old namesake is next in line (if Jeb can't pull it off)



We are all grains of sand in the carnivorous wheels of the BFEE. And it's time to shut the warring, killing and profiteering machine down.

[Myrina]

26. George P. : that would be him alright ...

... "Pierce" looks like he should be W's son ... puffy drunken monkey face and all!

Jinkies, do they all inbreed or what?? :wow:

[onethatcares]

28. I wonder why the victims didn't press charges

I mean, hell, it's not like the booooshes are evil or anything, right?:scared:

[yurbud]

21. Democrats need to start picking their opponents and killing some GOP careers in the crib

They failed to do that with Arnold here in California and didn't mount a credible campaign against his re-election. Because of that mistake, he will likely run for senator, and if the GOP thinks they can get around that "native born" provision in the Constitution, for president. It would have been cheaper and easier to kill his career in the crib with a big name opponent and a flood of money.

The same is true of Jeb. If the Democrats don't crush his senate run and put some major stink on him, he will run for president eventually, and his brother's dismal record and personality will make him look all that much better.

[ogneopasno]

24. "Deeply affect," not "deeply effect." There. Got that off my chest.

[CitizenPatriot]

25. Thanks for posting this

I heard that the current senator was going to step down early and Gov Crist would appoint Jeb so he could establish "shadow government" (Jeb's words, not mine) of Obama admin and then run for office in 2012 or 2016.

Would this happen? I think these appointments are being misused, if this is the case. They certainly weren't intended for one political party to abuse/use to further their long term agenda to gain control of the WH. The voters should have a say if the senator retires early out of CHOICE, otherwise it's blatant manipulation of the system.

Jeb the Vote Stealer/Election Stealer should not come anywhere near our WH.

Thanks, but no thanks.

edited to add: I think I know that strip of land he owns- it's where they are always burning pine trees. It's a horrifying site to behold. Not a fire line. What a shameful way to treat our environment. It makes me angry every time I drive down 95.

[seafan]

29. On the anniversary of the eighth year of the BushCoup, this is the headline:

Buzz Builds For Jeb Bush Senate Run

By WILLIAM MARCH
December 12, 2008

.....

Bush has said publicly only that he is considering running for the seat Florida Sen. Mel Martinez will leave when his term is up in 2010.
But friends and political associates say that behind the scenes, he's being deluged by Republicans urging him to.
"I can't tell you the number of people who have asked me for his contact information, saying they want to tell him they want him to run," said Fort Lauderdale lawyer Justin Sayfie, a former Bush administration official and GOP activist.

Those doing the urging include his brother, President George W. Bush.
At a White House Christmas party Thursday, "the president was just effusively promoting it to all the Floridians, and so was Laura," said accountant and GOP financial consultant Nancy Watkins of Tampa. "He was saying, 'We've gotta get Jeb going for the Senate.'"

Some of those friends say Jeb Bush doesn't need much arm-twisting.
"My sense is, knowing the body language he goes into when he makes a big decision, he's inclined to do it," said Brett Doster, a top strategist for both of George W. Bush's Florida presidential campaigns. "He'd want to let the other guys get on with it if he weren't going to run."

.....

Bush has long said he wasn't interested in a Senate seat because he prefers being an executive over the compromise process of a legislative body.
But the current political climate in Washington might make the situation more tempting, some experts said.
After losses in Congress in the past two elections, and loss of the White House, there's a power vacuum among Republicans in Washington that Bush could fill.

"The national party is virtually leaderless right now," Doster said. Bush "has indicated an interest in shaping the party's future and platform - he has an opportunity to be the guy who helps shape the national message."
Though Bush's close associates deny it, salvaging the family's political reputation, devastated by the record unpopularity of George W. Bush, may also be part of the reason.

Jeb Bush has shown signs of national political ambitions - national speaking appearances, setting up an education policy foundation, and doing a recent interview on his vision for the Republican Party's future.

.....