Infinite Monkeys

2008 Watch: What Kind of Lameness is This?

Remember when many Republicans thought George W. Bush was a conservative? Ah, innocence!

So our friends on the right are most impressed with Jeb Bush. Word is he gave a fine speech to the National Review crowd over the weekend. Ed Gillespie said the other day that if George W.'s little brother "were former two-term governor Jeb Smith, he might be in Des Moines today."

Maybe. Jeb Bush could change his name to Jesus Horatio Christ, for all I care. I'd sooner vote for John McCain. If nothing else, America could use a break from people named Bush and Clinton eviscerating the Bill of Rights. At least McCain's contempt for the Constitution is well known.

But what is it about these Bushes? Conservatives swallowed hard and voted for George Bush the elder, professing how his administration would be "Reagan's third term," knowing otherwise. Eight years later, conservatives closed their eyes, mumbled a silent prayer, and cast their lot with George W. and his "compassionate conservatism," hoping for the best but secretly fearing the worst.

Now bummed-out conservatives detect something magical, something redeeming, in Jeb. Good grief! Remember the wisdom of W.: "Fool me once, shame on -- shame on you. Fool me -- you can't get fooled again.' "

Posted by H.L. Monkey at January 31, 2007 07:45 PM