Jeb Bush - America's Next Catholic President?

I admit I am intrigued by the prospect of President Bush's brother, Gov. Jeb Bush, running for office someday. It may be too soon for an extension of "the Bush dynasty," and Jeb himself has firmly ruled out the idea of running in 2008.

At the same time, as the International Herald Tribune notes, "Republican party leaders continue to talk seriously about a continuation of the dynasty, a Bush III administration, with Jeb as a candidate in 2012 or 2016, when the memory of the current president's dismal poll ratings will be less of a factor."

And the notion that we might have another Catholic president -- which is to say, a likely more substantially Catholic President than the "pro-choice" Kerry/Kennedy variety -- is heartening.

Some links on the subject:

• First Brother: Is There a Second Act for Jeb Bush? "Winding up his second term as Florida's governor, the other Bush says he doesn't want to run for President. Not everyone believes him," say Tim Padgett. Time Magazine, June 15, 2006.
  
• White House Letter: Like it or not, Bush III is being primed to run, by Elisabeth Bumiller International Herald Tribune. May 31, 2006.
  
• Stay Out the Bushes? Not so fast..., by Kathryn Jean Lopez. National Review May 24, 2006.
  
• Jeb Bush sent to Mass for the pope - President Bush taps his Catholic brother to represent the nation at Benedict XVI's installation in Rome. Steve Bosquet. St. Petersburg Times April 23, 2005.
  
• Florida Catholic Conference Applauds Governor Jeb Bush and Florida Legislators for Banning Execution of the Mentally Retarded, June 13, 2001.
  

LifeSiteNews.com recently compiled an extensive list of Gov. Bush's pro-life / pro-family record:

The Florida Governor has been featured in numerous LifeSiteNews.com stories as a defender of human life and family values. Jeb Bush is also a devout Catholic, and has joined the Catholic fraternal organization the Knights of Columbus which is known for its strong pro-life and pro-family stands.

He was a key reason why Terri Schiavo was able to live as long as she did, before the courts eventually ruled against "Terri's Law" - a law initiated by Gov. Bush to prevent the starvation of Terri Schiavo when her estranged husband attempted the manoeuvre in 2003. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/may/04050601.html)

In 2004, the Governor attempted to have the unborn child of a severely disabled woman be appointed a court guardian. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jan/04011202.html)

The Florida Governor was successful in implementing parental notification laws in the state, after nearly two decades of wrangling between the courts, the legislature, voters and governors. The law, which requires physicians to inform parents before their minor daughter is scheduled for an abortion, was signed into law by Bush last May. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/may/05052701.html)

The Governor lamented the loss of life of an unborn child when a 13-year-old in his state was given permission by a judge to have an abortion. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/may/05050405.html)

Last year, the younger of the Bush brothers unveiled a counselling plan for women considering abortion to help them consider alternatives such as adoption. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/mar/05030202.html)

The Governor has been on the cutting edge of pro-life initiatives. When a pro-life film by a Hollywood filmmaker was yet to be released, a copy had already been requested by Jeb Bush. The film, A Distant Thurnder, is a courtroom thriller which exposes the horror of partial-birth abortion. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/oct/05101105.html)

On the pro-family front, Jeb Bush has been no less active. The governor applauded the US Supreme Court last year for rejecting an appeal of the state's ban on adoption by homosexuals. Florida is the only state with a complete ban against same-sex adoption. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jan/05011004.html)

Source: US President Endorses Catholic, Pro-Life Brother Jeb for President, by Terry Vanderheyden and John-Henry Westen. LifeSiteNews May 10, 2006.