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Republicans pathetic last resort: When Jeb and Mitt are your 2016 saviors
With Christie and Walker mortally wounded (again), the GOP establishments last hope rests with one of two retreads
Only last week, it seemed as if scandal-dogged GOP Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Scott Walker of Wisconsin might be back in the 2016 game. At Mitt Romneys Utah summit, Christie told big donors that his troubles are over, its done with and Im moving on. Walkers supporters crowed that in May, a judge put an end to the second John Doe probe hes faced, this one into illegal coordination between his anti-recall campaign and outside conservative groups like Club for Growth.
Then came Thursday, when shoes dropped for both men. An Esquire report alleged that U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman has close Christie confidants talking about all the New Jersey scandals, not just Bridgegate, and he may be close to indictments. The same day a Wisconsin judge released documents showing that John Doe prosecutors believed Walker was at the center of a criminal scheme two words no governor wants to see attached to his name.
Its important to note that the shocking documents were released because a judge found no grounds to continue the probe. Walker may not face any further legal trouble here. But his political trouble keeps getting worse. The most stunning piece of evidence was an email from Walker himself to Karl Rove, boasting about his political operation, which seems to indicate some effort to coordinate with outside groups like Roves American Crossroads though in the end, Rove did not wind up getting involved with the Wisconsin races.
An aside: Am I the only one who thinks someone stupid enough to send Karl Rove a personal email that at least smacks of an effort at illegal campaign coordination is too stupid to be president and maybe even to remain as governor? I thought that when Walker was pranked by a faux David Koch, too, but apparently Wisconsin voters are more forgiving. Still, Walkers in a tough race for reelection this year and he may have to fight hard just to stay in Madison; he sure cant look ahead to Washington.
At any rate, the continuing flow of bad news out of New Jersey and Wisconsin has to terrify GOP donors and the rumored establishment. Its increasingly unlikely that either governor can emerge as a pragmatic, pro-business 2016 alternative to Tea Party zealots like Sens. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. This ups the pressure on former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to run and may even swell the ranks of Republicans reassuring two-time loser Mitt Romney that the third times the charm.
http://www.salon.com/2014/06/20/republicans_pathetic_last_resort_when_jeb_and_mitt_are_your_2016_saviors/
Johnyawl
(3,205 posts)Once again his big brother unwittingly sabotages Jeb's dream. The situation in Iraqi will likely drag on, with some US involvement into and possibly beyond 2016. With it comes the rehashing of what led us into that godforsaken war, the assignment of blame, recriminations, etc, etc, etc. The Bush Brand, which they had been slowly trying to rehabilitate is going back in the toilet. All the Koch money in the world will not get him on the ticket.
Myrina
(12,296 posts).... If the ticket does turn out this way, and by some act of Dieboldery they win, Mittens better hire a food taster & not fly in planes.
brooklynite
(94,513 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,940 posts)brooklynite
(94,513 posts)Jeb Bush isn't as stupid as his brother.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)a wonderful field of Democrats.