Jeb Bush hearts Rick Baker; says Baker is a future GOP leader in Esquire interview
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush lists Mayor Rick Baker as a future leader of the Republican Party in a new Esquire interview. From the interview:
Who are the leaders of the Republican party?
I think you need to put it in the proper context. Barack Obama was a state senator five years ago. So the next generation of leaders are going to be people we probably don't even know. I don't think we need to worry about that quite yet. If there's going to be a resurgence of the Republican party or the conservative movement, I think it's going to require some patience and some humility — less personal ambition and more advocacy of ideas and how they relate to people.
[That said, Bush reels off a list anyway.] Newt is fantastic. He's an idea generator. [Jeb says he e-mails him.] The guy has a twenty-first-century mind. [He mentions "the conservative mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Baker." Also, Mitch Daniels, governor of Indiana.] I love Bobby Jindal. He's the real deal. [Not on list: Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee.]
I think you need to put it in the proper context. Barack Obama was a state senator five years ago. So the next generation of leaders are going to be people we probably don't even know. I don't think we need to worry about that quite yet. If there's going to be a resurgence of the Republican party or the conservative movement, I think it's going to require some patience and some humility — less personal ambition and more advocacy of ideas and how they relate to people.
[That said, Bush reels off a list anyway.] Newt is fantastic. He's an idea generator. [Jeb says he e-mails him.] The guy has a twenty-first-century mind. [He mentions "the conservative mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Baker." Also, Mitch Daniels, governor of Indiana.] I love Bobby Jindal. He's the real deal. [Not on list: Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee.]
Read the entire interview here.
Aaron Sharockman, Times staff writer
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Shut up Jeb. You are a has been. Go home and stop foisting that loser Baker on any future generation.
Posted by: Done with Baker and Jeb | July 09, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Going, going and gone! Ding, dong the wicked witch is dead!!! Baker has absolutely zero statewide support from the people who count. Not gonna' happen
Posted by: Knowledgeable voter | July 09, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Can't wait for Baker to be out of the Mayor's office and not holding a public job. Numerous former City employees have tons of dirt on the way Baker behaved in City Hall. He took credit for never firing an employee but doesn't mention the fact that he had Deputy Mayor Eston fire or transfer over 100 employees on his behalf in the past 9 years.
Posted by: Former Employee | July 09, 2009 at 02:03 PM
When Baker's family were stealing from government contracts and making faulty parts for the military? Guess who was President of the United States? George Bush Senior.
Posted by: Ron Regan | July 09, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Caption contest!!!!!!
Rick: “Hey, check out that little hottie over there!”
Jeb: “Hmmmm, he is cute!”
Posted by: Entry #1 | July 09, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Mayor Bill Baker should take over Bill Young's seat when he retires.
Posted by: St Pete hearts Bill Baker | July 10, 2009 at 02:10 AM
What a crock! Baker is one of the biggest RINO's around...like Bush. Hmmmm. He's run this city like a Dem, arm in arm with the Uhurus. THIS is why we are no longer R's but I's and why the Republicans have lost major support from true conservatives.
Posted by: Truth | July 10, 2009 at 09:16 AM
A new generation of leaders - we have one waiting in the wings - her name is Sarah Palin. Jeb needs to realize that the Bush name is the past. His family has done enough to damage the GOP. Time for Palin and others like her to rebuild. The elites from ivy league schools have done enough.
Posted by: Bill | July 10, 2009 at 01:08 PM
He's gonna need a bigger chin.....
Posted by: Michael | July 10, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Are the kids still on the drugs and booze? oh and the wife still smuggling purchases from Paris?
Posted by: Betty Ford | July 10, 2009 at 03:02 PM
JEB HAS TO BE OUT OF HIS MIND. LET RICK DISSAPPEAR WITH CHARLIE.
Posted by: pops | July 16, 2009 at 07:20 PM