Friday, December 31, 2004
Jeb Bush Launches 2008 Presidential Campaign
The December 31 Wall Street Journal, in an article entitled "Debt Relief From Rich Nations Gains Momentum", provides some interesting facts.
First, President Bush feels he needs first hand assessments from the ground to coordinate relief efforts in the Indian Ocean after the recent tsunami. So he is sending Colin Powell, who is still the Secretary of State, and Governor Jeb Bush.
Now, the first question is why the President feels a need to coordinate relief efforts. The UN is coordinating relief efforts for every member of the UN. Member nations have pledged $500 million. France alone has pledged $57 million.
The US has pledged $35 million to UN efforts. But the US is vowing to spend millions more "as the food, housing and medical needs of the millions of survivors are assessed".
So, it would appear that the President will be funding a separate relief effort. Which, we can assume, will be paying US companies to provide US goods to the region. Or better yet, faith-organizations. Because why shouldn't the US economy and the Republican base get a boost from the tsunami? If we can run a war as a profit making, election-winning enterprise, why not humanitarian aid? The only thing sacrificed is a coordinated international effort that will make France and Kofi Annan look good. Who needs that?
And the US point man will be Jeb Bush. OK, Jeb Bush and Colin Powell are the point men, except that Colin Powell is retiring in a few weeks.
In all fairness, Governor Bush has had some experience in dealing with natural disasters, with Florida getting hit by four hurricanes this year alone. But so has the head of FEMA. But the head of FEMA did not give the President photo ops in an election year responding to natural disasters. And one of the principal criticisms of governors when they run for President is that they lack international experience. So Jeb's our guy.
A congressional delegation will also be heading to the region, headed by Iowa Congressman Jim Leach. Because Congress also needs first hand information. So it can advise the President on the President's separate aid campaign.
I can just see Jeb Bush and the Iowa Congressman hitting the Sunday morning talk shows.
Jeb Bush. Iowa Congressman. International issue.
Hmmm.
It's a disaster, all right.
First, President Bush feels he needs first hand assessments from the ground to coordinate relief efforts in the Indian Ocean after the recent tsunami. So he is sending Colin Powell, who is still the Secretary of State, and Governor Jeb Bush.
Now, the first question is why the President feels a need to coordinate relief efforts. The UN is coordinating relief efforts for every member of the UN. Member nations have pledged $500 million. France alone has pledged $57 million.
The US has pledged $35 million to UN efforts. But the US is vowing to spend millions more "as the food, housing and medical needs of the millions of survivors are assessed".
So, it would appear that the President will be funding a separate relief effort. Which, we can assume, will be paying US companies to provide US goods to the region. Or better yet, faith-organizations. Because why shouldn't the US economy and the Republican base get a boost from the tsunami? If we can run a war as a profit making, election-winning enterprise, why not humanitarian aid? The only thing sacrificed is a coordinated international effort that will make France and Kofi Annan look good. Who needs that?
And the US point man will be Jeb Bush. OK, Jeb Bush and Colin Powell are the point men, except that Colin Powell is retiring in a few weeks.
In all fairness, Governor Bush has had some experience in dealing with natural disasters, with Florida getting hit by four hurricanes this year alone. But so has the head of FEMA. But the head of FEMA did not give the President photo ops in an election year responding to natural disasters. And one of the principal criticisms of governors when they run for President is that they lack international experience. So Jeb's our guy.
A congressional delegation will also be heading to the region, headed by Iowa Congressman Jim Leach. Because Congress also needs first hand information. So it can advise the President on the President's separate aid campaign.
I can just see Jeb Bush and the Iowa Congressman hitting the Sunday morning talk shows.
Jeb Bush. Iowa Congressman. International issue.
Hmmm.
It's a disaster, all right.
