Will Jeb Bush Be Able To Win Over George W. Bush’s Supporters?

At first glance, it seems like a silly question. After all, it would seem that Jeb Bush and George W. Bush would have similar politics and positions on issues: They’re representatives of the same political party, and perhaps more telling, they’re both representatives of the Bush political dynasty.

But as the New York Times reported Monday, Jeb Bush is having more trouble gaining support from members of George W. Bush’s former team than one might expect. Peter Baker wrote as follows for the New York Times.

“… Many of the Republican foot soldiers who worked for the former president in his campaigns and his administration have not rushed to back his brother’s emerging operation.”

According to that article, about 120 former George W. Bush aides were sampled via email, and only 25 of those polled said they supported Jeb Bush in his run for the presidency, while 50 former aides said they were neutral or supported other candidates. The remainder of the aides did not respond. The Times story noted that, because of new jobs with other politicians or in academia, many of those polled opted not to share their views.

As reported by the Inquisitr, Jeb Bush has in recent weeks attempted to distance himself from the decisions made by his older brother and his father while they each were in office.

After stumbling over a question about whether he would have invaded Iraq in 2003, a la George W. Bush, Jeb eventually came out to say that, knowing what we now know, he would not have invaded the country. In addition, Jeb Bush said today that he believed his father was wrong about voodoo economics.

Jeb Bush, who has not yet officially entered the race for the Republican nomination, has discovered that, in some ways, being a Bush is more of a hindrance than a help. Even his own mother, Barbara Bush, said she thought there had been enough Bushes in The White House. (She later retracted the statement.)

She’s not the only one who initially felt that way, though. According to the New York Times article, at least one anonymous George W. Bush aide had this to say.

“I happen to believe the U.S. is Bushed and Clintoned out.”

Despite what some would consider to be lagging support, Jeb Bush has said that he absolutely intends to declare for the GOP race.

What do you think of another Bush making a run at The White House? Will Jeb Bush be able to win over George W. Bush’s supporters?

[Photo by Alex Wong / Getty Images]