Jeb Bush: Senate Run Is Off

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former Gov. Jeb Bush announced Tuesday that he won't run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 to replace the retiring Mel Martinez, saying that it was not the right time to return to elected office.

"I can play a role in helping to reshape the Republican Party's message and focus on 21st century solutions to 21st century problems," Bush told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "Not running does not preclude me from being involved in these things and I will be."

Bush seriously considered a run after Martinez said last month he wouldn't seek a second term. Bush spoke with senators, supporters and family, including his brother, President George W. Bush, and his father, former President George Bush.

He said his decision wasn't based on politics, but on his "personal journey." He said his brother's low approval rating didn't factor into his decision, and that Floridians are familiar with his record as governor.

"One of the benefits of being governor is people get to know you and I think people know I love this state," Bush said. "While I'm proud of my brother and I love my brother ... people know that I'm Jeb Bush and I don't think that would have been a problem."

Those close to him have speculated for years that he wouldn't be interested in the Senate because his personality is more suited for executive leadership. They said being one of 100 senators might be frustrating for Bush, though he said that wasn't a factor.

"I really felt like I could make a difference and it could have been a fulfilling job," Bush said.

Bush was governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and remains a popular figure in the state. His announcement clears the path for several other potential Republican candidates who had said they wouldn't challenge him.

"All of us are disappointed that Jeb didn't run, but now it's time to move on," said former House Speaker Allan Bense, who is among those interested in the job. Other potential candidates include Bense's successor, former Speaker Marco Rubio, along with Attorney General Bill McCollum and several congressmen.

Democrats considering a run include Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, state Sen. Dan Gelber and U.S. Reps. Allen Boyd and Kendrick Meek.

Bush won bipartisan praise for leading the state through eight hurricanes in two years. He used standardized testing to overhaul the education system, was credited with making government more efficient and lowered taxes.

"I understand his decision," said Martinez, who announced last month that he wouldn't seek a second six-year term. "Jeb would have been a great candidate and senator."

Comments

[debb3111]

Run for anything you want Jeb BUSH...does NOT mean you will win.
Not running for the senate...do you really think we care what you Bush people do.

[igorz]

I guess Jeb is the smart one in the family

[WorkingClass]

The Bush family is finished in politics thank Dog. Its sort of to bad they managed to ruin the country. Maybe if Jeb changed his name to Jesus Reagan?

[mergina]

Hmmm, let me see, would that be because they are already printing JEBB FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012 signs? Obama vs. Bush. Hmmm. Obama-Biden vs. Bush Palin. Hmmmmmm. In 4 years the American publics memories will have faded enough to embrace another Bush, and this is one who can finish a sentence and a thought. Ooohhhhhh does Obama have to have 4 good years to hope for a second term.

[democracy7]

Its kind of hard to forget billions of dollars in deficits, Katrina, unjust costly war, assult on our environment, the list goes on and on and on.

[waynesmyer]

But! But! i WILL RUN FOR YOUR NEXT GREAT WAS PRESINATOR, Just as soon as I can secretize my action as your beloved Florida Governator and my war record! JEB Bu$h
p.s. My brother Neil "Silvarado" Bu$h will also run, as soon as he clears up the case of clapp which he did not get from a Hong Kong prosty! Right?

[grf67]

Finally, a bush with a brain.

[maeme]

I am a Florida Republican. I do not love Jeb Bush. Florida is bankrupt; we have a billion dollar revenue shortfall. Our universities have limited enrollments because of no state funding. Our state’s short-term investment and pension funds lost $334 million because he invested in Edison charter schools. They paid $40.00 a share and sold it at less than 15 cents a share. Hundreds of millions of public money has been lost or stolen by his cronies; yet every tax advantage has been given to corporations and the wealthy. He privatized our state prisons, they are thriving businesses. He contracted Children and Families Services and many kids were lost. The FCAT preps were owned by brother Neil’s company, and we are about to see our public education system stripped bare. He pulled a “special Terrie Shiavo debacle session” to take the media heat off the Abramoff scandal. Jeb is great at the dog and pony show at hurricane season, but when $69 million in Fema money was flagrantly dolled out to 2004 good re-election voters he never opened his mouth to condemn the actions; while actual hurricane victims stood in lines for clean water waiting for help that never came. Family situation is no Brady Brunch; his wife got caught smuggling, didn’t declare fancy dresses from Paris, his daughter is a prescription shopper and in and out of rehabs, the son has anger management issues, the other son has a bevy of documents on Smoking Gun.

[naeldwyck]

hi maeme, props for posting here (I know non-lefties often get a lot of heat on this forum), but reading your post I can't help wondering – why do you consider yourself a Republican? This kind of stuff, particularly eroding public finance by wasting public money on private companies, has been integral to the Republican project since at least the Reagan administration.

[trisha08]

I keep hearing Jeb is still a popular figure in Florida but is that true? My family lives in FL and they can't stand Jeb. Many of those family members are Rebub.

So, is this just GOP spin or IS he popular? Is this the same as, "America is a center-right nation" quote from the GOP.

I think he will make a run in the future for Pres. Don't underestimate this family. They will do anything..­...anythin­g to keep the power. Look at the last election when Bush was reelected---who was in power in FL. Jeb. I wonder if that will ever be fully investigated.

[JRsNana]

He may not be running for Senator but he'll be back in 2012 or 2016 to run for POTUS! All he said was "now's not the time". NO MORE BUSH'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE. NO MORE.
We've lost enough. They all need to go away and not come back.

[sweetwhine]

He'll never win. His brother took care of that.

[naeldwyck]

You know what, we Europeans thought exactly that after Jr's first term, but then you lot gave him another one (and that one for real, by the way). Props to you for the results of the most recent elections, but never underestimate the potential stupidity of the American (or any other) electorate.

[mergina]

Anyone who can finish a sentence in 4 years will be able to defeat Obama. He is a shooin for a too close to call race in 2012.

[rabiddog6708]

The time is not right translates as not enough time has gone by for the name Bu$h not to be considered the four letter word that it is.

[BillMelater]

What was that? I thought I heard violins. My bad.

http://billmel8er.wordpress.com

[lmvd3]

They must have run the numbers.

[PDXTransplant]

He probably figures he'd lose and then daddy george would be disappointed in him so it's easier to just not try. Thank you Jeb for not trying. :o)

[janeinmia]

Well liked in Florida? Well-known, that's for sure, but as for being liked, that's just plain ridiculous.

[texasrodeoqueen]

omg does that mean he will be running for President? Please do! No matter how much the people of the state of Florida love him, the other 49 states will turn out in record numbers to keep him out.

[Sandnsea]

please don't take Jeb's word that the folks in FL love him...we're trying to dig ourselves out of a budget mess which was started in his administration with tax cuts and underfunding social services and education. yes, he's a Bush all right.

[trisha08]

My Florida family can't stand Jeb either. Spin?

[bayside]

Thank god.