"I don't know why it is that one generation of Bush after another has to run for office,"

[IDemo]

Jeb Bush, having recovered a little bit, finally said Tuesday afternoon while back on the campaign stump. "But apparently nothing's changed."

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/texas-bush-father-son-hit-campaign-trial-26205463

Millions of us wonder the same thing, Jebbie.

[UTUSN]

1. Because the BFEE feed at the public trough. n/t

[yeoman6987]

2. Well if America elects another. What does that say

About our country. In all honesty, the Democratic Party should encourage this. America will not vote in a third.

[Lurks Often]

7. I think you are being naive

I think it is entirely possible for a majority of the voters who go to the polls to elect another Bush to the White House.

It could depend on who the Democrats run, it could depend on if there is a strong third party candidacy from the left or simply that the average American voter wants a Republican on office again.

[Sherman A1]

10. Agreed

[Lurks Often]

3. Sometimes politics becomes the family business

and the Bush family certainly isn't the only family to do this, they just happen to be the ones we don't like.

So one has to decide, is it ok for multiple members of a single family to run for office or not, either answer should apply to both parties.

[razorman]

5. You are right. But, I think perhaps the American people are

getting tired and leery of political dynasties. In the future, I believe it will be harder for the scions of political families to get elected on their names. This includes the Kennedys, Bushes, Clintons, and Obamas. It is obvious that the Bush family and the Clinton family are grooming the next generation to run for office. I would not be surprised if the Obama girls are also being prepared. To me, political family dynasties smack a little too much of royalty.

[tabbycat31]

6. I would not put the Obamas on the list

Barack so far is the only Obama to be elected to public office. Michelle would be an intriguing candidate for IL's senate race in 2016 but I'm not sure if she wants to run (and that's fine if she does not).

Malia and Sasha are both minors and who knows what their future plans are. They could use the name to run for office if they want to, but it would be years down the road.

[razorman]

11. Absolutely. I was not predicting that the Obama girls would run for office.

I just would not be surprised. From what I have seen, though, it appears that the entire Obama family is no longer very enchanted with the political world. It is probably very tempting for a family, once one of its members has reached the pinnacle of American politics (the presidency), to believe that a dynasty is starting (and warranted). It would be hard to resist, I think.

[tabbycat31]

12. Jury's still out on the Obama family

Malia and Sasha Obama are the youngest White House kids since Amy Carter. (Chelsea Clinton was 12 when her father was elected, Malia, the older Obama was 10). I believe only the Kennedy kids were younger. And I think Michelle's done an excellent job of keeping them out of the spotlight and only showing family pictures when appropriate (ie holidays).

The Obama family does not have the makings of a political dynasty that other dynasty families to. Other political dynasty families (Bush, Kennedy) had family dynamics where more than one sibling (in both cases brother) had a high level office at the same time. Barack Obama only has one (half) sibling and she's a college professor in Hawaii. Her only involvement in politics was brief campaign work for her brother. I doubt she's running for office anytime soon. The Clinton family has a wife that's long been interested in running for office and I don't see Michelle as wanting to be a senator like Hillary was (if she wants it, there's an opportunity in her home state in 2016 to run for her husband's old seat).

If an Obama dynasty starts, it won't be anytime soon. If Malia or Sasha want to run for office when they're older then they'll have a huge advantage given their last name. But given their ages now (16 and 13), I don't see that happening for at least another 20 years. Because Michelle's done a great job maintaining their privacy, we don't even know what the girls' interests are. (The only thing I found on Google about the girls interests was when the family got them the puppy that was promised to them). There's honestly no way to tell if two teenagers have (or want) a political future.

We also don't know how history will remember President Obama in 20 years and if the name will help or hurt a Malia or Sasha political career.

[razorman]

14. Very true. 20 years is a long time in politics.

When/if Malia or Sasha decide to run for office, the Obama presidency will be ancient history. Some people who will be of voting age at that time are small children now, and barely know what a president is. I won't be around, at any rate.

[Peacetrain]

4. Plainly put.. Hubris!

They want to have this place unique to them in history.. Presidents.. Father, and 2 sons..

[ladyVet]

8. Well, somebody has to be the royal family in the new America.

Might as well be them. Half the country already knows how to take a knee before them.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

9. To me it always seemed like the Bushes had 'Kennedy Envy.'

The Bushes never figured out how to properly separate personal gain and public service, though. You send one to a state dinner, you have to count the silverware afterward.

[hifiguy]

13. No Bush should be able to run for any public office

higher than parks commissioner for at least 100 years, though an "in perpetuity" ban would suit me better.