While we’re mocking the Cheney family feud(s), save a little opprobrium for the other baronial clan of the Avignon Presidency. TNR‘s Isaac Chotiner goes dumpster-diving in Double Down and uncovers this gem about the guy who just couldn’t afford to challenge Obama in 2012:
“You don’t understand, [Jeb] Bush would say to the Republican poo-bahs begging him to run. I was in the real-estate development business in my state There was a huge bubble, but I missed out because I was governor for eight years. So I’m starting from scratch. If, God forbid, I’m in an accident tomorrow–I’m in a wheelchair drooling, saliva coming from my mouth–who’s going to take care of me? What are my wife and kids going to do? I’ve got to look after my family. This is my chance to do it…”
Chotiner treats this with due scorn, noting that, apart from the mere reported million or two in Jeb’s bank accounts…
Bush is a member: of…the Bush family. His parents are absurdly wealthy. His brother is absurdly wealthy. Both his father and brother are former presidents. Does Bush not have health insurance? Is his family without health insurance? Would it even matter if they were? The last question is the one to keep your eye on, because unlike the vast majority of Americans, the answer is no. Most Americans do not have multimillionaires spread throughout their family who could pay for any and all treatments in the case of any emergency…
Perhaps Jeb’s self-pity does say something about shared mindset of today’s Republican party, though. If they’re honest in their libertarian conviction that any form of social safety net is creeping tyranny, then the only thing standing between an incapacitated Jeb Bush and starvation is the generosity of his extended family. And from what we know about the Bush Clan, you wouldn’t want to rely on those people for help, either.
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Apart from our native criminal class, what’s on the agenda for the evening?
Monday Evening Open Thread: Pity Jeb, the Poor MillionairePost + Comments (45)