There is always an opportunity for redemption, but, for Jeb Bush, I didn't think it would happen for him. But the year is 2016, and anything is possible.
Sunday night, during the only part of the Emmy's anyone watched (the intro), Jeb Bush was featured in a Jimmy Kimmel comedy skit as an Uber driver who’s “between jobs right now.” Commenting (sarcastically) on the effectiveness of positive campaigning to attain voter response and the placement of a Jeb Bush 2016/20 sticker, Jeb overcame his sullied (and sorta pathetic) image the one way he could—embracing the joke.
After one of the most embarrassing campaigns I’ve ever witnessed, Jeb’s seat at the presidential grown-ups table at the Bush house was forever compromised. Anyone reading the history books (including myself) was sure that this race would be a Bush v Clinton race, two powerful political names battling it out at last. But of course that was the furthest thing from the truth. Not only did he look miserable for most of the campaign, the numerous faux pas, the effective (and ultimately deadly) Donald-sponsored character assassination, the below 9 percent favorability numbers, and the quintessential moment in his decaying campaign—telling audience members, “please clap” before the New Hampshire primary, Jeb’s political capital fell and sunk swiftly.
In a strange twist on my usual anti-conservative rhetoric, that moment on the Emmy’s—a barely funny comedic moment—he became a real candidate. The best quality of an effective leader is being able to make fun of himself, and that’s what Jeb did.
Now, I am one of the last people that would ever claim a Bush as a good leader; H.W and W. left a sour taste in my family’s mouth and having Jeb as my state governor wasn’t the best time in my young life either. Despite George W. Bush’s ability to paint beautiful dog portraits or H.W’s alleged “likable” character, I never found myself backtracking in my view of them. But Jeb, poor “low-energy” Jeb, finally got the nod of appreciation from me. I feel more than the usual pity for him. Something maybe close to regret. Nor I would have never voted for him, but I cast him with the worst GOP members, when he was far from it. Perhaps it’s the radical right climate that has me feeling this way, but I’d rather have another Bush in my life than the upheaval of the GOP, even though it never really earned my respect in the first place.
Last night I realized so poignantly that I’d rather have a mild, awkward dad-selfie taking, low energy, miserable Jeb than any sort of Donald. I never thought I would ever think that a Bush "would be that bad", but the year is 2016 and anything is possible.
