Why Jeb Bush's endorsement is more important than you think

There was a bit of a collective yawn when the Republican Party of Florida announced Tuesday that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush had endorsed incumbent Gov. Rick Scott for re-election.

The presumption is that well, why wouldn't Bush endorse his fellow Republican for a second term? In his endorsement Bush touted Scott's handling of the state's economy and said he had "demonstrated leadership when Florida needed it most."

But there are other things about the endorsement, however, that are important.

The timing of the endorsement is unusual.

Since Scott really doesn't have a significant primary opponent the question is why announce it a full year before the election.

Some have speculated it's to remove any talk that Bush was holding back his endorsement _ because that would have generated unneeded talk about a Bush-Scott rift.

Let's make no mistake: The disconnect between the two is not something made up out of thin air.

There was already a less-than-cordial air between the two as evidenced by the fact that the Scott administration earlier this year couldn't find time to have the governor meet with Bush when he came to Tallahassee.

But Scott's decision to retreat from his previous strong support of Common Core State Standards _ and open the door for the possible abandonment of the standards _ has exasperated people who are connected to Bush and share his strong viewpoints on education reform.

For his part, Scott has tried to walk a thin line on the issue. He called for public hearings and raised the possibility of change amid a strong backlash coming from some in the Republican base who are passionately opposed to the standards and want them stopped. These are the same people that Scott will need in a tough re-election campaign that could likely hinge on turnout.

And there are those in Scott's orbit who remain annoyed that those around Bush think that he's still governor, or think at least that his agenda is what matters.

Some might say that that the endorsement shows Bush was eager to keep the standards intact so he endorsed now to show his loyalty.

First off, that's not really how Bush normally operates.

But more importantly the understanding is that Bush told the party and Scott he would support the governor. It was up to the Scott campaign when to announce the endorsement.

So that brings us back to why?

Since we are still a year out from the election the amount of news coverage that such an endorsement would bring is probably not that major.

But there could be other factors at work:

1. Such an endorsement would help cut off any lingering talk of a 11th-hour primary challenge to Scott.

2. It would communicate to GOP donors _ who may be getting wooed by the campaign of Democrat Charlie Crist _ that they need to back Scott. There have been concerns that major donors may not want to open up their wallets to a candidate whose poll numbers remain troubling, and just as importantly bankrolled his last campaign with more than $70 million of his own money.

3. Or it could be a sign that there remains a need to do anything that could boost Scott's poll numbers _ even with Republicans.

Whatever the rationale the endorsement was far from your run-of-the mill campaign related announcement. And it points to a fascinating year that lies ahead.

 

 

 

Comments

[A Facebook User]

Don't forget the battle over Common Core. This endorsement requires a quo to its quid.