Jeb Bush, the former Governor of Florida, is on a book tour across America. The book, Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution, discusses immigration reform which is an issue that many Republicans have seen the light. Especially since November 6, 2012: election day. What Jeb Bush says about immigration reform and what he said on the Sunday talk shows do not jibe. Jeb Bush denied on the CBS Face the Nation that he does not support a "path to citizenship."
What Jeb Bush said on Face the Nation and what he wrote in his book do not match.
Jeb Bush writes in his book, along with co-writer Clint Bolick that the "path to citizenship" should be denied across the board. He writes that a "grant of citizenship is an undeserving reward for conduct that we cannot afford to encourage." He went on to say that denying citizenship is "absolutely vital." He goes on to say in the book that there should only be "a path to permanent legal resident status" - in essence, a form of second-class citizenship. They only get there by "self-deporting." In his written words, "permanent residency in this context, however, should not lead to citizenship."
What is clear is that former Governor Jeb Bush has not seen the light. That viewpoint of no path to citizenship, according to the New York Times columnist Lawrence Downes, has passed the Republican party. Many Republicans have converted to the viewpoint that a "path to citizenship" must be created in the new immigration law. The only question is not if, but how long and complicated a road toward the "path to citizenship." The Bush view in this book is a view from the not-to-distant past. Even a fellow Floridian Republican, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) does not subscribe to this view. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) does not subscribe to that view. Nor does Senator John McCain (R-AZ). Many other Republicans have also do not subscribe to that view.
The New York Times writer Lawrnece Downes points out that the book was written prior to election day 2012. It may well have been too late to change what he wrote in the book. That is unfortunate. It is symbolic of the problems facing Jeb Bush and his hope for the presidency.
There is that other problem that the National White House Press Examiner detailed yesterday.
Two unnecessary wars and two unnecessary tax cuts. That is the George W. Bush legacy and it is a burden that his brother, generally considered a competent governor of Florida, will have to live with.
"Bush family baggage."
But perhaps the most devastating legacy that George W. Bush was the deepest recession in American history. In mid-2007, the big bubble of the high-flying housing market collapsed. Whether it really was George W. Bush's fault that it happened, the problem is it did happen on his watch. That may be the biggest legacy of all and which is why the candidacy of his brother, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush may never get off the ground.
It is that "Bush family baggage." More specifically, it is that "George W. Bush family baggage" that is the real problem.
"Bush family baggage."
It is too late, not only because of the book and immigration, but that also that "Bush family baggage."
Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions at johnpresta@att.net.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books. John has volunteered for many political campaigns.
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