Pining Away For Brother Jeb

It's clear that many conservatives are unhappy with the current field of presidential hopefuls including Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich.

As a result, Republican insiders say that more and more activists are wondering whether former Florida Governor Jeb Bush can be persuaded to run in 2008 after all. "The grass roots would enthusiastically support Jeb Bush," says a Republican with close ties to the White House. "You can't say that about anybody else in the race."

Bush, brother of the current president and son of the former president, is a popular figure among conservatives because of his right-of-center policies as governor of Florida (he left office this year) and because he was elected twice in that mega-swing state, demonstrating wide appeal.

But Republican insiders say the nation may be suffering from "Bush fatigue," which could cripple a Jeb candidacy from the start. And if he ran, he would be far behind his competitors in organization and fund-raising. Of course, such speculation might be beside the point. Jeb has said he has no interest in running in 2008--so far.

By Kenneth T. Walsh