WI: the GOP nominates Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2000

Let's suppose that the GOP establishment does picks the smarter of the two leading Bush brothers, and instead of going for Gov. George W. Bush of Texas they instead opt for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

How would the ensuing decade have turned out assuming 9/11 happens as it historically did?
 
Let's suppose that the GOP establishment does picks the smarter of the two leading Bush brothers, and instead of going for Gov. George W. Bush of Texas they instead opt for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

How would the ensuing decade have turned out assuming 9/11 happens as it historically did?

You'd probably have to switch the years they were elected as Governor in; GWB in 1998 for Texas, and Jeb in 1994 for Florida.
 
First of all he has to beat the unbeatable (in OTL) Lawton Chiles. That would create some slight butterflies in the '90s.

Quite honestly, I think the presentation, rather than the policy, will be the biggest change here. I also see him as relying on his Cabinet less than W, which could reduce neocon influence significantly. Or it could not.
 
I can quote myself:

Partially discussed in the Jeb Bush in 2004 thread and there's this older thread to check out.

S.V. Date also covers some thoughts on Jeb in the Washington Post.

Basically Jeb Bush beats Lawton Chiles (quite reasonable) and it really doesn't matter if George Bush wins or not in 1994 since Jeb was seen as the one.

If Bush eked out a victory then Jeb takes Florida easily plus a couple extra states. In office is an open question of course but OTL Bush is a basic guide. Certainly Jeb would do the detail work better and certainly work Congress much harder. School vouchers, privatized Medicare… those kinds of things Jeb might well get through.
 
I can quote myself:



Basically Jeb Bush beats Lawton Chiles (quite reasonable) and it really doesn't matter if George Bush wins or not in 1994 since Jeb was seen as the one.

If Bush eked out a victory then Jeb takes Florida easily plus a couple extra states. In office is an open question of course but OTL Bush is a basic guide. Certainly Jeb would do the detail work better and certainly work Congress much harder. School vouchers, privatized Medicare… those kinds of things Jeb might well get through.


Is it safe to say that a President Jeb Bush would be much more fiscally conservative than his brother?
 
Is it safe to say that a President Jeb Bush would be much more fiscally conservative than his brother?

If you mean stuff like tax cuts for millionaires and vouchers and privatized Social Security it really is a wash. The difference is that Jeb would be much more likely to push forward on, and be successful at, the stuff that OTL George Bush gave up on.
 
I'm sorry, but if Jeb Bush became president-elect in 2000, 9/11 would be butterflied away or at least turn out to be nothing more than a foiled attempt. For Jeb would not be so stupid as to virtually ignore the August 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Briefing the way Shrub did.

Jeb AIN'T his no-good, lazy, stupid elder brother, you know. He actually did something GOOD in Florida. :mad::mad::mad:
 
There would also be less bitterness over the election, since Florida would be clear, though some might bring up the Faux Felon Purge and similar stuff. (I'm not sure how Jeb would handle the poll closings in SC...if he calls for an investigation, the SC Republican Party may lose face...but Bush's opinion might rise.) He certainly wouldn't be as vicious against McCain.
 
If you mean stuff like tax cuts for millionaires and vouchers and privatized Social Security it really is a wash. The difference is that Jeb would be much more likely to push forward on, and be successful at, the stuff that OTL George Bush gave up on.

I meant tax cuts along with spending cuts in the name of shrinking the size and scope of the federal government like what the Tea Party is so militant about.
 
I meant tax cuts along with spending cuts in the name of shrinking the size and scope of the federal government like what the Tea Party is so militant about.

These budget cuts would have stirred controversy that the free spending George W did not face. If 9/11 is butterflied away Jen does not get the wave of public support Gus brother got. Since Jeb is more articulate, this helps his popularity.
 

NothingNow

Banned
Basically Jeb Bush beats Lawton Chiles (quite reasonable) and it really doesn't matter if George Bush wins or not in 1994 since Jeb was seen as the one.

To do it, you'd need to push the state's Motor-Voter law compliance back to 1993, you could have him win, and start the Republican Gerrymanderüng a good two years earlier.
 
Top