The Definitive H&H Jeb Bush Scouting Report
Can Jeb Establish Himself as Dominant Figure in GOP Race?
What he’s got: Executive experience and a substantial conservative governing record as two-term Florida governor from 1999 to 2007; high national name recognition (with all the good and bad that comes with it, given his surname); a broad and deep donor network; establishment support up the wazoo; demographic and geographic strengths that make him a formidable general-election candidate; courage of his convictions on issues that put him at odds with much of his party’s base; a presidential demeanor; intelligence, confidence, and policy savvy aplenty; underrated retail skills, including fluency in Spanish.
What he lacks: Demonstrated ability to handle deftly questions about his relationship with his older brother’s record and legacy; an organic connection with many factions of the party he hopes to lead; a passionate following within any faction of the party, aside from the donor class; polling strength (especially in the early states) commensurate with his fundraising prowess; capacity to deliver a roof-raising speech from a prepared text; appeal as an avatar of next-generation Republicanism; experience in the political trenches during the Obama/Tea Party era.