Bush Sr.: "Bush fatigue" has set in

Seems that former President George H.W. Bush think that country might be sick of politicians named "Bush." I can see that his 82 years have not diminished his sharp wit and wisdom.

"There's something to that -- there might be a little Bush fatigue now," said former President Bush.

Barbara and George were on Larry King tonight, and of course they were full of praise for their son, Jeb, the former governor of Florida.

Bush seems to think that there's a political future for Jeb.

"I hope that Jeb, who left office looking good, is not through with politics," the elder Bush said. " I think he's a good man, most other people think that, a man of principle. And I think he's got a future."

Considering Jeb's role in the 2000 recount, I hope his only future in politics is running his brother's presidential library or something.

I guess I can never think of Jeb without the bitterness of 2000 boiling to the surface.

Speaking of Jeb, I got a sick kick out of the University of Florida's attempts to honor him. About a month ago, the University of Florida, by a 38-28 vote, decided to deny Jeb Bush an honorary degree. Among the faculty senate's concerns were some of Bush's education initiatives while serving as governor of Floria.

However, when Republicans want to give a tongue bath to one of their own, they'll do whatever it takes, the will of the people be damned. Not to be denied, the conservative-controlled state legislature took things into their own hands. The House Schools & Learning Council voted a few weeks to force the university to rename its education school the "Jeb Bush College of Education."

How ridiculous and self serving. If Jeb had any balls, he would have turned this award down. I can't imagine being that shameless, showing up on U of Florida's campus to commemorate having the school being renamed in his honor. (I imagine that since the school is being renamed, there will be some sort of ceremony at some point.) However, maybe the school and/or Bush will eschew such a ceremony because of the controversy. (And the protests that would inevitably result.)

I really try to not be petty and cynical about politics, but sometimes it's very hard. The former president I can tolerate, and I even admire him in some ways. I almost always disagree with him politically, but he has a certain aura of respect around him.

However, I do not feel the same about the rest of the Bush family: Neil Bush and his role in the Silverado Savings and Loan scandal; Jeb and his role in the 2000 election; and Barbara Bush's well-earned reputation for saying absurdly insensitive things, such as:

telling the press that she could not say on TV what she thought of then Vice-Presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, but "it rhymes with rich."

However, nothing beats Barbara's all-time worst quote about Hurricane Katrina victims. (Picture at Right) "Beautiful mind"? Humph. What a churlish rube.

I hear Repubes complaining all the time about the Kennedy dynasty, and on some points, rightfully so. But, the Bush clan more than equals the Kennedys out, and then some.

Jeb is still pretty young - it will be interesting to see if he elects to jump back into politics at some point in the future. If he's anything like his big brother, I sure hope not.