W's 2nd term agenda: Set Jeb up

There's this theory going around that President Bush will govern in his second term as a lame duck, with nothing more to gain or lose politically.
But that isn't how Bush is thinking about it. He has Jeb to consider.

Even before this year's election, Jeb Bush was being asked about his aspirations. On Oct. 17, he declared on ABC, "I'm not going to run in 2008. That's not my interest."

But last week, in a meeting with The Washington Times editorial board, Ken Mehlman, the new chairman of the Republican National Committee, put Jeb back in the race.

Responding to a question, Mehlman mentioned eight potential candidates for 2008: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Virginia Sen. George Allen, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, George Pataki, Rudy Giuliani - and Jeb Bush.

If Karl Rove could get Dubya elected twice, he can do Jeb with one shiv tied behind his back. If the red-state rubes don't wake up soon, this is going to become real and soon. And the best way to bury the sins of 43 is to make sure 44 shares his name.