By Lindsey Ellerson

Dec 3, 2008 7:42am

Senator Bush?

ABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is putting his name in the mix for a possible Senate run in 2010, in the wake of Sen. Mel Martinez’s announcement that he won’t seek a second term.

“I am going to think about it for the next month or so,” the former governor e-mailed The Note Wednesday morning. Bush’s interest in the race, first reported by Politico late Tuesday, could boost GOP chances of holding on to a seat that promises to be closely contested.

The former governor remains popular in his native state, and he has expressed interest in working on issues impacting education and small businesses at the national level.

Bush, 55, served two terms as Florida’s governor, from 1999-2007, after losing his first run for the office, in 1994. He has worked extensively on education reform issues in both the private and public sectors, and has had success in real estate and as an entrepreneur.

Martinez — who served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Jeb Bush’s brother, President Bush — has suffered from low approval ratings since being elected to the Senate in 2004, and was widely considered a top target for Democrats in 2010.

Among the long list of Florida Republicans who may consider a run: Gov. Charlie Crist; Attorney General Bill McCollum; Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite, Adam Putnam, Vern Buchanan, Connie Mack, and Jeff Miller; and former state House speakers Marco Rubio, Allan Bense, and Dan Webster.

A run by Bush, though, could effectively clear the field, as he would be the heavy favorite against any of those candidates, with the possible exception of Crist.

Can you add to the bottom of the Jeb Bush blog…

UPDATE: In one indication of the reception Bush would likely receive from the GOP rank-and-file, Rep. Mack essentially endorsed Bush’s non-candidacy on Wednesday, issuing a statement: "Jeb Bush has a proven track record of leadership that would once again benefit the people of Florida , and indeed the entire nation. He would make an outstanding United States Senator.”

User Comments

Please no more Bush’s.

Posted by: Reilly | December 3, 2008, 8:22 am 8:22 am

NO!

Posted by: Bobby G. | December 3, 2008, 8:40 am 8:40 am

would be interested in hearing how he performed as governor. Especially how the state fared fiscally during his term.

Posted by: steve | December 3, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am

I live in Florida and recall Jeb’s initial “nickname” as Governor as being “Gov. Duh”. I think he exceeded that early-on reputation and is certainly no “W” (Thank the Lord for that) but, considering the hand he had to have played in the 2000 election of President “Duh-b-ya” I would rather see him stay home.

Posted by: JeboOno! | December 3, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am

If they vote for him, they deserve him. But then again, they voted FOR Katherine Harris.

Posted by: please! | December 3, 2008, 8:43 am 8:43 am

I can’t imagine how LITTLE clout this man will have while walking around with the name ‘Bush’. How on God’s earth could he introduce a bill with his name on it and think that will rally support. EVeryone will forever be distrusting of anything he says and anything he does. Nobody forgets the stolen election in Florida. He’s a typical Bush, another crook, another loser who is popular among “his kind” in Florida yet on a national stage he will cause revulsion. the future of the republican party is NOT a Bush, unless you want the future of the republican party to be nonexistent.

Posted by: mike | December 3, 2008, 8:45 am 8:45 am

Any character at Disneyworld could defeat bush after what his brother has done to the country! Bush, McCain, clinton, Obama and all Senators took an oath defend Americans but they all allowed untold numbers of death from the illegals who come here not to pick tomatoes, as idiot Bush says, but to deal drugs, harm innocent Americans, hurt law enforcement officers who try to stop them with no federal support. A whole bunch of Washington politicians need to be in jail for allowing this great harm to innocent Americans and believe this—they did it for money they got from big business not love of the down-troden like the liars proclaim! To all American Patriots—you allowed this to happen by not standing up against corrupt Washington!

Posted by: rockychance | December 3, 2008, 8:45 am 8:45 am

Absolutely right Reilly! NO MORE BUSHES anywhere in government! The Republicans will want to nominate Jeb and another Bush is the last thing this country needs.

Posted by: Bob | December 3, 2008, 8:46 am 8:46 am

I agree with Reilly and I live in Florida We don’t need another Bush anywhere in Gov and Jeb is a religious nut too just like George Remember the Terry Sciavo Case who do you think passed state laws for one person and drove the fight to washington JEB thats who so if you want that kind of stuff going on the Jebs your man if not you don’t want him

Posted by: Dennis Fort Myers Fl | December 3, 2008, 8:50 am 8:50 am

So, does “thinking about it” mean he wants to see how many people puke at the mention of another bush in national politics??? Maybe Republicans want to remain a dead party. Last week we had ROmney’s critique that the big three shoud go under, i’m thinking, hey, maybe there is a future for this party, but then yesterday we see dingbat Palin everywhere in the news and today I see Jeb. Nope. Nope. they’re dead and beating the dead horse just to make sure I guess.

Posted by: used 2B republican | December 3, 2008, 8:50 am 8:50 am

Steve -
Jeb Bush left his protege, now Gov. Charlie Crist, with a fiscal mess to deal with. The housing foreclosures are huge and unemployment is higher than the national level, as well. He tried to focus on education in Florida, as his brother did with his national program, and left many doubting the efficacy of his programs, to put it mildly. I think Jeb does possess a “likeability factor” giving you the sense he cares (unlike his brother) but, I can’t see I really agreed with his vision for the State.

Posted by: JeboOno! | December 3, 2008, 8:51 am 8:51 am

Dear God, please… no…. NO MORE BUSH

Posted by: paintpaintpaint | December 3, 2008, 8:53 am 8:53 am

Well, he can’t be any worse than any of the other idiots on the hill…

Posted by: samhiguchi | December 3, 2008, 9:05 am 9:05 am

I know how Jeb feels, I couldn’t have a dog because of my older brother.

Posted by: Libby | December 3, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am

NO MORE FREAKING BUSH FAMILY IN POLITICS OF ANYKIND!!
I mean gee whiz what are they trying to do finish off what GWB, JR already killed which is America! Hell no any one with any kind of good sense that was given them would say no to all the Bush relatives, Palin and Guiliani. Send these liars, dummies, theives and crooks home.

Posted by: Heck No! | December 3, 2008, 9:12 am 9:12 am

GOD HELP US ALL…NOOOOOOO
No more Bushes!!!!! After what his brother did to this country they should all hightail it out of here. Also remember Neil Bush and the Savings and Loan Scandal! I could go on and on..

Posted by: Barb | December 3, 2008, 9:17 am 9:17 am

Jeb is NOT a Native Floridian. Jeb is a nice guy personally, but his policies, like the 30 years of GOP economic policies failed the people of Florida and bankrupted our State. Florida continues to elect (locally) all of these religious extremists because of the amount of hillbillies and rednecks that live in our rural areas – that coincidentially cling to guns and religion – and midwesterners bringing their fly-over country values and poor driving skills.

Posted by: Native Floridian | December 3, 2008, 9:27 am 9:27 am

I can see it now. W came in thinking he was going to fix or finish what his dad did. Now J will go in trying to fix what W did. The Senate will position him for a run at the Presidency. This country should be run like a business, not like a monarchy. We new blood at the helm every 4 to 8 years.

Posted by: Palmstorm | December 3, 2008, 9:27 am 9:27 am

Wow! This guy really thinks he has a shot. I guess being delusional runs in the family! Bush 1 was bad, Bush II was horrific, Bush 3? Thank you but no thank give it a rest! I don’t think the current generation of voters would consider any of the Bush’s any where and I’m assuming that would possibly include at least 1/2 the republicans. The republicans are in crisis, they need to refurbish their reputation. Plus the country’s new voters are more diverse ethnically and religiously and they are trending towards democrats. So if they want to stay afloat helloooo no more Bush’s!

Posted by: t42 | December 3, 2008, 9:31 am 9:31 am

Are you folks in Florida THAT stupid? COMMON! not another bush!

Posted by: GIVE ME A BREAK! | December 3, 2008, 9:33 am 9:33 am

Libby: LOL

Posted by: t42 | December 3, 2008, 9:34 am 9:34 am

These two names: Bush, Clinton are always clicking in our ears. Will they ever go forever?

Posted by: FM | December 3, 2008, 9:34 am 9:34 am

Should pass a law that people on that family tree can’t run for office.

Posted by: Terri | December 3, 2008, 9:36 am 9:36 am

Go Jeb Go!!! If Hillary can be Secretary of State, you can be Senator. This country is lost and very crude in it’s thoughts about Republicans. They are the Demohaters, aren’t they? Don’t let them tell you what to do. They are all a bunch of hate mongering idiots.

Posted by: Conserve | December 3, 2008, 9:38 am 9:38 am

You know he’ll make a run for the White House – come on. People can’t be that stupid not to think that this is part of the plan. Governor, Senator, President! It’s part of the Bush DNA since their grandfather started the tradition. The entire family will be on full government pensions before you know it – and that’s AFTER they’re finished raping and pillaging.

Posted by: JBB | December 3, 2008, 9:43 am 9:43 am

If Jeb wants to follow in his brother George’s shadow, who will go down as the worst President ever he’s very brave. He managed to walk away after being the Gov. of Florida with a little dignity but it seems the Bushes just can’t give it up. I am saddened by the decision of Mel Martinez even though I am not a Republican because he worked so well with Senator Bill Nelson (D). It’s hard to imagine Jeb doing the same.

Posted by: Marilyn in Florida | December 3, 2008, 9:47 am 9:47 am

Three times a charm! Pres. Jeb Bush, why not?

Posted by: whoCares | December 3, 2008, 9:51 am 9:51 am

I love it how the libs say no more Bush, but don’t seem to have a problem with a Clinton continuing to be in the government.

Posted by: mm | December 3, 2008, 9:52 am 9:52 am

The majority of Dems don’t won’t anymore Clintons but at least we can say that Bill didn’t run this great country in the ground. I say no more family tree in any state of government. It should be just like an employer if you mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, etc. have worked here you can’t!

Posted by: To: mm | December 3, 2008, 10:03 am 10:03 am

Oh no..He was a disaster for Florida -sticking his nose in business that didnt concern the State like Terry Schiavvo case and private school vouchers etc. He approved the primary date being switched and look at what a disaster that turned out to be. We did appreciate him handing out ice after the 4 hurricanes but thats about it. We dont need or want anymore Bush brothers in office- no way, no how !!!!

Posted by: jimbo | December 3, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am

To mm- Clinton left the country in peace and with huge surpluses. Big big difference from what Bush is leaving us. However some are still so fixated on the BJ that they cannot see all the good that the Clintons did. Thats sad- they are the ones who were chanting 4 more years, 4 more years in 2004 – well You got your 4 more years and look at what your “moral Texas boy” did to us…..no more Bushes in office ever – they are all disasters !!!!!

Posted by: jimbo | December 3, 2008, 10:19 am 10:19 am

Hasn’t his family done enough damage to this country?

Posted by: GoMoreRogue | December 3, 2008, 10:24 am 10:24 am

Give it up Jeb, both you and your brother are in the shallow end of the Bush family gene pool. Blame your brothers legacy for that.

Posted by: spacerook | December 3, 2008, 10:26 am 10:26 am

Give it up Jeb, both you and your brother are in the shallow end of the Bush family gene pool. Blame your brothers legacy for that.

Posted by: spacerook | December 3, 2008, 10:29 am 10:29 am

We had enough of the Bush’s here in Florida we don’t need anymore. Besides he is trying to crawl up to the White House and that is a fact.
We have to get away from the past and go onto something new and I don’t mean another Bush.
He needs to stay out of politics and stayed planted in the ground where plants (Bushes) stay and that is a fact.

Posted by: Carol | December 3, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am

mm: Honestly, the repubs believe the Clintons began this crisis but President Bush was at the helm when it occurred. If President Bush did not have the foresight to prevent this from occurring and didn’t take enough initiative to stop this mess, he’s to blame. As far as Iraq-lousy intelligence bs it was doctored up- Colin Powell lost his reputation because of this fine president. This man was very well respected among our allies-poof gone. We’ve lost respect among our allies, during the Katrina fiasco we had countries such as China, Mexico,France and Germany sending supplies to our American people who were in diar straits. Blew the surplus prior to our two invasions, mishandled the war-should of had lots more troops in the first place and maybe and maybe we would of been out by now. The troop surge didn’t come soon enough-many Americans and Iraqis lost their live before this man decided upon sending in more troops. How long did it take him to fire Rumsfeld? Did he have some sort of American death quota before deciding to hurt his feelings by firing him?

Posted by: t42 | December 3, 2008, 10:37 am 10:37 am

mm: Honestly, the repubs believe the Clintons began this crisis but President Bush was at the helm when it occurred. If President Bush did not have the foresight to prevent this from occurring and didn’t take enough initiative to stop this mess, he’s to blame. As far as Iraq-lousy intelligence bs it was doctored up- Colin Powell lost his reputation because of this fine president. This man was very well respected among our allies-poof gone. We’ve lost respect among our allies, during the Katrina fiasco we had countries such as China, Mexico,France and Germany sending supplies to our American people who were in diar straits. Blew the surplus prior to our two invasions, mishandled the war-should of had lots more troops in the first place and maybe and maybe we would of been out by now. The troop surge didn’t come soon enough-many Americans and Iraqis lost their live before this man decided upon sending in more troops. How long did it take him to fire Rumsfeld? Did he have some sort of American death quota before deciding to hurt his feelings by firing him?

Posted by: t42 | December 3, 2008, 10:44 am 10:44 am

Florida is having lots of problems now. Why compound it with another Bush?

Posted by: Jane | December 3, 2008, 10:46 am 10:46 am

As a Floridian-I gotta tell ya-
jeb might be the worst, most dishonest bush of all.
From bad pumps to land scams-he’s a cheater. His wife is too, and his kids are awful.

Posted by: Connie Florida | December 3, 2008, 11:00 am 11:00 am

“Well, he can’t be any worse than any of the other idiots on the hill…”…This is EXACTLY the kind of thinking that got us 8 years of war for nothing, 9/11 happening at all even though a month before GW was given a memo saying “AQ DETERMINED TO ATTACKINSIDE US…will use PLANES AS MISSLES” and GW does NOTHING about and goes on vacation. This is what you get when you are SOOOO LAZY about electing someone you can’t even have the common sense to say “NO!”

Posted by: Joe and I'm NOT a plumber | December 3, 2008, 11:09 am 11:09 am

“the repubs believe the Clintons began this crisis “….LOL! you have to be some kind of stupid to honestly think that. Look at the landslide victory of Obama. No, SOME people, the loser 20% who think Bush did a good job, those people may be so obtuse, but the rest of the country, the overwhelming majority of the country clearly knows the man in charge over the past 8 years is responsible for what happened over the past 8 years. For God’s sake, Clinton had WEEKLY terrorist threat assessment meetings. GW had NONE, not one, until 9/12. bush is repsonsible for 9/11 happening! And all that came after. If Clinton were still in office, all those memos in august, the month before, would have been followed up, CLinton would have made no-fly lists for known terrorists and right there the threat would have been averted. The terrorists used their REAL NAMES and REAL PASSPORTS! Atta came from Canada, with HIS NAME on the passport. That’s one plane right there, with a friends of ours on it, that would not have been hijacked. You honestly need to be some kind of stupid to want ot let GW off the hook. What kind of messsage does that send to future dopes? Like his brother, who look at the long list of failure and think “well, that all ‘just happened’, not like I had any control…” nahhhhhh. You’re just the PRESIDENT!

Posted by: matt | December 3, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am

“but don’t seem to have a problem with a Clinton continuing to be in the government”…but… Clinton did a good job. Go to the government web site and plot the debt, on an XY plot. See the debt LEVEL OFF, flatline, HORIZONTAL in Clinton’s last term. Look at what happened under GW – an exponential spike upward that only gets worse with every year. The poster’s above are right – Clinton held WEEKLY terrorism threat meetings. Bush held NONE. DId you read the 9/11 commission report? Bush had SO MANY opportunities to do somethjing to stop 9/11 from happening yet didn’t, in fact, he stayed on vacation while the memos and warnings kept coming in. Then he drums up his pretent reasons to go to war with Iraq and everyday it’s pressure pressure pressure we MUST attack Iraq and THEN he executes the war SO POORLY here we are 7 years later and this month there were 108 attacks in just Bagdad – JUST BAGDAD JUST THIS MONTH – 108 Bombings!! And he and Mc
Cain are ready to roll out themission accomplished sign again on the surge, or at it was better known, wack-a-mole. You cannot DO any worse, yet hte Bush’s are so obtuse they think they were victims to world events instead of the leaders of them. That mentality alone can explain so much of this failure.

Posted by: Frank | December 3, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

GO AWAY BUSH! NO MORE BUSHES!!!!!!!! Your family has the opposite of the Midas touch! You Bushes turned this country’s economy into sh**! You ruined our reputation with the world and got us into a war that has cost us the lives of thousands of our soldiers and severely mentally and physically injured thousands more. And yet Big Brother George says his presidency was “Joyous”!!! That is a sociopath speaking. Your family is destructive and we don’t want you further destroying this wonderful country! GO AWAY!!!!

Posted by: abracadabra | December 3, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

I’ve respected what Jeb Bush dedicated
for Floridian. He has a strong leadership and smater than George Bush.
GO SENATOR Jeb Bush/2010

Posted by: Janet | December 3, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

I think Jeb’s son, George P. Bush is the bigger story – he has aspirations for the White House. In him, the country could have its first Hispanic president and third Pres. George Bush, all in one person. And his politics are more new-school Republican, not the staunch old Republicanism of his grandfather.

Posted by: Independent voter | December 3, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

someone on here said … “Clinton left the country in peace” … of course, that peace came at a huge cost to the people of Rwanda, Haiti and numerous other countries the Clinton administration either ignored or completely mismanaged foreign policy. Clinton may not have led the US into war, but there’s something to be said for ignoring atrocities when people of other nations are literally crying for help and dying due to lack of it. At least Bush was willing to stand in the path of evil (Saddam) and make an attempt to stop some of those atrocities. What’s better – to ignore evil or try to stop it?

Posted by: Ha Ha!! | December 3, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

Jeb Bush has something going for him that most do not. His wife is Latino. He speaks Spanish fluently. He would certainly be a force in the Senate. If he ran in 2012, my guess he could carry NV, Az, NM, Colo an even maybe Calif. Why, because in four years those States will have Latinos in the Majority. My guess Pres Obama will not stop the flood of folks coming across the Border.

Posted by: Willie | December 3, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm

one thing is forsure with jeb, if we have a natural disaster, he will know what to do, before and after, especially with hurricanes,

Posted by: yardarmno.69 | December 3, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

To quote Rev. Loudmouth aka JesseJacksonSr…”keep away from the Bushes!”

Posted by: NatFrankie | December 3, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm

If Jeb runs for office, America is dumber than it seems! He can’t even run his own state! This would be total stupidity on the voters’ part!!! We don’t need any more of this foolishness in the White House! As it is, we’ve got to put up with a bunch of hype and empty promises for the next four years as it is!

Posted by: brannigon1 | December 3, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

More useless shrubs in government we don’t need, I am sure he’ll get PLENTY of donations from oil companies, banks, defense contractors, insurance companies etc hoping to get free money and favorable legislation…everyone know bush means bought (owned).
The dude and his wifey also “misled” let’s call it like it is, lied to customs agents so they wouldn’t have to pay taxes on luxury items bought in Europe!
Bush has also been active in the neoconservative think tank Project for the New American Century, whose stated goal is to promote American global leadership. Great a neoconservative with delusions of running the world!

Posted by: Hege! | December 3, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

I’m with the majority here – NO MORE BUSHES IN GOVERNMENT!!! They have done enough damage to this country.

Posted by: jmb | December 3, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

The worse thing is, he’d be sure to win simply because of name recognition.

Posted by: Marc | December 3, 2008, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm

Jeb should have been the Bush in the White House, but the fact that he’s Catholic and his wife was born in Mexico doesn’t go over well with the Evangelicals.
But that could play very differently in Florida. Jeb speaks fluent Spanish (not like W), and has a solid track record as governor.
I bet Jeb has a chance. And he surely won’t be the last Bush running for office. Jeb’s son, George P Bush seems to preparing for a political career, and might have a shot. The US is going to have a lot more hispanics voting in the years to come, and George P is the grandson of a migrant workers. That certainly would play well to Latinos.

Posted by: nathan | December 3, 2008, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm

Could the Bush’s, Clintons, and Kennedy’s please stand up…….. and leave!!!!
Please give us our country back…….

Posted by: dk | December 3, 2008, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm

The thought of any Bush family member running for public office makes me ill.

Posted by: Jaynew44 | December 4, 2008, 12:44 am 12:44 am

The Bush family + new world order=one world government=american union=bankers gaining full and total control. Looks like their doing pretty well on the plan. No more Bushes! EVER!!!

Posted by: jjw555 | December 4, 2008, 2:38 am 2:38 am

Jeb did an outstanding job in Florida cutting taxes, holding teachers accountable for their quality of education, and leading the state through numerous disasters.
Although the teachers’ unions here don’t like him, there’s a reason for Jeb’s extraordinary popularity in the “purple” Sunshine State.
I wish him luck.

Posted by: Matt | December 4, 2008, 3:23 am 3:23 am

I hope Jeb Bush does run for the senate! We need him and more people like him to keep the democrats in senate in check and keep them from getting their way about everything! Someone needs to tell them NO once in a while!

Posted by: carlyonsue | December 4, 2008, 3:26 am 3:26 am

I think that if he does decide to run Americans should look to Florida to consider the following questions. Are we really ready to see another member of the Bush family rise up in power? Will he be just as detrimental tothis once proud nation as his father and his brother? The reason I say this because although he is just going to run for senate, we have to realize that the senate is a democracy too and that the faction that has more members that agree with each other will practically be the senate.

Posted by: donald carr | December 4, 2008, 4:13 am 4:13 am

oh no! please don’t elect another bush into office. two of them have been bad enough in national politics why take a chance on another one?

Posted by: Lawrence | December 4, 2008, 7:18 am 7:18 am

I hope that Jeb Bush does run. All Americans will wish that he was in the White House instead of Obama. He was a very popular governor and I can see him give the democrats and obama hell. I’m looking forward to that. The democrats have done so much damage to this country from FDR to Johnson to Carter and Clinton. I can’t even think about the mess that Obama will instill. The ONLY good thing is getting Hillary out of the Senate and Napolitono out of Arizona and Richardson out of New Mexico and even more importantly Joe Biden (the plagiarist) out of Delaware’s Senate seat. I just wish we could get rid of John Kerry in the Senate. From the mortgage mess, the Auto mess and the financial mess have Americans seen what Democratic “sticking their noses into our affairs” has done. We finally see the result! Go Jeb, go!

Posted by: justrighttoo | December 4, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

NO NO NO Jeb Bush made a mess of Florida, giving away so many tax breaks to business that Florida taxpayers are losing billions and in many instances paying for the privilege. He has the same attitude as his older brother ‘My way or the highway” and I agree with another poster he is dishonest, his wife is dishonest and his kids are a mess. His money has come from ripping off the America taxpayer from selling water pumps that are still sitting in the hot baking sun 20 plus years later. His junk bond financed office building in Miami ended up being paid for by US and when asked if he was aware the taxpayer had to pick up the tab on this,”he replied NO” and quickly scurried away. Read up on Jeb – you won’t vote for him unless your are a masochist. What makes this family think we want or need their leadership? Be gone, Neil and Silverado, his prostitutes, oh hell I could go on and on………..Please no more, leave this country alone, you have your blood money.

Posted by: virginia McMahan | December 6, 2008, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm

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