Jeb Bush soon will enter the race for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.
However, he’ll be jumping into a crowded field, and having one of the most well-known names in modern American politics might not be an advantage.
That was the prediction made Monday by Matthew Corrigan, political science professor and chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Florida.
He said as many as 15 candidates will be vying for the nomination by February and the Iowa caucuses and the Bush family name will bring with it both benefits and challenges for the former governor of Florida.
Corrigan pointed out the last time a Republican was elected president without a Bush at the top of the ticket was 1984. The last time the GOP won the presidency without a Bush on the ticket was 1972.
With a crowded field for the party nomination, the Bush name could bring comfort to voters who might be prone to select a familiar name. But having a father and brother who are former presidents could bring back memories for some voters.
“It’s tough enough to be elected president without bringing your family baggage and drama,” said Corrigan. “One of the biggest things he needs to do is separate himself from his father and his brother.”
Playing up his record as governor of Florida would be a savvy campaign strategy, said Corrigan, who published in October “Conservative Hurricane: How Jeb Bush Remade Florida.” He said Bush will be remembered for many accomplishments as governor.
“Jeb Bush got a lot done when he was governor. That’s a rare example in politics these days,” Corrigan said.
He cited Bush’s conservative social and cultural agendas, ending affirmative action at Florida universities by executive order, privatization of several aspects of state government and creating a faith-based prison system.
Corrigan commented on the possibility that voters might face a choice in November 2016 between Bush on the Republican side of the ballot and Hillary Clinton on the Democrat Party ticket. Corrigan called on the research that led to another of his books, “American Royalty: The Bush and Clinton Families and the Danger to the American Presidency (The Evolving American Presidency). He said America’s founding fathers almost didn’t establish the office of president in order to preclude the long-term influence of any particular family.
“There were concerns over creating an elected monarchy,” said Corrigan.
Bush versus Clinton also could affect the country’s global image as well with two former first families on the general election ballot.
“It would be hard to make the argument that America is the sterling example of democracy when presidents have the same last name,” Corrigan said.
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