Americans are longing for George W Bush. No, really
They're feeling nostalgic for Dubya. More
Americans view George W Bush favourably
than unfavourably , for the first time since he
left office. What is going on?
Dubya can thank Barack Obama. 2013 was
supposed to be the highlight of the Obama
presidency, emboldened by re-election and
pursuing landmark gun control. Instead, gun
control has failed, leaving only a series of
unwelcome scandals in their place. Obama's
emasculation is leading to a re-evaluation of
Bush.
He is also benefiting from the very American
tendency to look upon former Presidents
more favourably as time passes: even Jimmy
Carter enjoys strong ratings. The central
charges against Bush – his catastrophic
economic management, Iraq and the inept
handling of Hurricane Karina – remain.
Still, America's warming to Dubya is good
news for the Bush political clan. His brother
Jeb has long been viewed as a potential
President, but his family name was still
viewed as problematic in 2012. By 2016 he
won't have such problems.
Yet perhaps the real Bush to watch is from a
different generation. George Prescott Bush,
Jeb's eldest son, has a model political
resume for a 21st Century Republican. To add
to the recognition and donor base his
surname provides, he ticks the patriotic box,
having served in Afghanistan. He is from
Texas, the largest state the Republicans
control and one pivotal to their future . And
he is ideally suited to solving the
Republicans' Hispanic problem: Prescott's
mother is Mexican and he is a fluent Spanish
speaker.
George P is running for Texas Land Governor
next year, which may not sound like much.
But it will provide an excellent base for
future election campaigns – including, one
day, the biggest of all.
