Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

OTHER VOICES:

Republicans don’t look like they are quite ready to lead the country

To borrow a popular question from the swing era, “So you want to lead a band?” Well, a lot of Republicans apparently do, but the band they want to direct or at least play first trumpet in is the one that gets them to the world’s top political prize — the presidency of the United States. They should be prepared for some very sour notes.

Twenty-one months out, the crowd of wannabes is not only gathering, it is — at least for Republicans — like seeking to win an honor that could leave them black and blue. If they were fortunate enough to win the party baton lottery it could come at a great expense. So much so they might wonder if loosing isn’t the real first prize.

Already those dancing around the GOP bandstand are finding their privacy and reputations fair game.

Take Jeb Bush, for instance, his desire for personal political success during his father’s vice presidential and presidential days was so fervent, according to the national press, that it caused him to bolster his own electoral future by seeking influence through dear old dad. My, my ... how unusual. In fact, that’s never been done before by relatives of powerful politicians. Why, it even helped him be elected to the top job in the Florida Statehouse. Shame on him. He should have changed his name, at least.

Sorry to be so flip, but that seemed to be the implication of a front-page takeout by the New York Times about the man who is considered the best chance not only to win the GOP nomination but to recapture the White House for his party. Thus, even he of such noble ancestry is not immune from the slings and arrows of the press, if you’ll pardon the poor attempt at Shakespearian comparison.

While Bush’s political street savvy probably will see him through the expected rough patches that accrue to everyone who has made politics a career, his success might be tempered somewhat by having to seek the ultimate award by defeating Hillary Clinton, who is not only a household word but would be the first woman presidential nominee chosen by either major party. That fact alone in this day of burgeoning female success in politics makes her formidable.

It’s sort of like taking on Godzilla ... unless you’re as he is in possession of a name that is also a household word.

But hold on. Clinton, who hasn’t said she is running (does she need to?), certainly hasn’t been inoculated from the stomping and shouting that surrounds her as the only Democrat so far on the horizon. Her imperiousness and her first lady, senator and secretary of state careers make her an easy target from White Water to Benghazi.

Ask Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker how it feels to find himself suddenly the darling of the right only to experience continuing questions as to why he dropped out of college in the spring of his senior year. Is there something dark in his past? Why would one of the most popular students at Marquette University suddenly disappear? It is a script worthy of old time radio. We could even name it “I Love a Mystery.” No, wait. There was a very famous show called that. Maybe the answer is he just got tired of school.

Who really cares? He probably isn’t going to be the Republican nominee despite his so-called political hot streak that includes winning 11 of 11 state races from the Wisconsin legislature to the governorship. They even tried to recall him and failed. He is 47, smart, handsome and articulate. But he also is too far out of the electoral mainstream ... if tradition holds.

Could I be wrong about that? Of course. I have been any number of times. He is scheduled to give the Republican address at the spring dinner of the venerable Washington Gridiron club this month. It has been a stepping stone to greatness for many politicians over its 130 years, including Barack Obama, who was first touted as a potential contender after he spoke for the Democrats at the same dinner.

In this age of perpetual news, it is not necessary to say “stay tuned.” One can’t escape the noise, and before it is over one’s ears are likely to be ringing from the discordant notes of negativity in the race to lead the band.

Dan Thomasson is a columnist for Tribune News Service and a former vice president of Scripps Howard Newspapers.

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