I had pre-planned this blog post. The differences were youth vs. age; energy and enthusiasm vs. exhaustion; 21st century vs 20th century; arms held at chest level vs. arms hanging down. I had even thought I would plan to photograph Bush hunch backed and haggard.
Through dumb luck and a bathroom delay I happened to enter the venue just as the event staff needed a final person to take the main backdrop seat. Maybe I fit a demographic need. Or maybe I was just the warm body needed just then. They escorted me right up to the empty chair front and center next to an empty chair marked Reserved for Jeb Bush. So when he came in I shook his hand, welcomed him to New Hampshire, overheard him saying the Pledge, then when he stood immediately in front of me I had easy opportunity to document my preconception.
And, yes, his default position for his hands is by his side. But that exhausted look I presumed is actually more gaunt nests from weight loss. His pants bunch in the back where the belt clinches up an inch or two of fabric.
And the big difference with Rubio is the contrast of poetic idealism in Rubio vs. governance in Jeb! Jeb Bush talks of programs and laws and process. He criticized Davis-Bacon in public works contracting, FDA drug approval process, the Florida gun background check rules and gun show loophole, marijuana rules, two revisions to Social Security (means test and limit for prosperous people and increase the age for retirement for younger people).
He talked about all this while sounding energetic and upbeat and while making self effacing comments and asides. He absolutely seemed to be enjoying himself and it was apparent to me that the contrast with Rubio is that Bush is imagining the work of governing while Rubio is doing inspirational campaigning.
Bush answered a question about guns speaking of regulations considered and in place in Florida. Rubio could easily do something different and probably rethorically better. Something like, "This president doesn't trust Americans and he doesn't understand and believe that our Constitution was written to protect us against tyranny. This is a right guaranteed us by the great men who wrote the Constitution, and I am not ashamed to say I believe it is a right given us by God, the right of an American to protect himself and his family." Something like that. Or better. And said with steely resolve and passion.
Insofar as a president is an inspirational communicator, then Rubio fits the bill. Insofar as the president attempts to manage a presidential agenda, then Bush better fits the bill.
The parallel between Obama and Rubio--inspiring communicators--and Hillary and Jeb!--agenda managers-- seems to me to be the real contrast I observed up close.
In 2008 Democrats had the two options and the choice was a near toss up, one that Obama won because his people better understood delegate selection rules. Republicans will have their chance to choose.
Through dumb luck and a bathroom delay I happened to enter the venue just as the event staff needed a final person to take the main backdrop seat. Maybe I fit a demographic need. Or maybe I was just the warm body needed just then. They escorted me right up to the empty chair front and center next to an empty chair marked Reserved for Jeb Bush. So when he came in I shook his hand, welcomed him to New Hampshire, overheard him saying the Pledge, then when he stood immediately in front of me I had easy opportunity to document my preconception.
And, yes, his default position for his hands is by his side. But that exhausted look I presumed is actually more gaunt nests from weight loss. His pants bunch in the back where the belt clinches up an inch or two of fabric.
And the big difference with Rubio is the contrast of poetic idealism in Rubio vs. governance in Jeb! Jeb Bush talks of programs and laws and process. He criticized Davis-Bacon in public works contracting, FDA drug approval process, the Florida gun background check rules and gun show loophole, marijuana rules, two revisions to Social Security (means test and limit for prosperous people and increase the age for retirement for younger people).
He talked about all this while sounding energetic and upbeat and while making self effacing comments and asides. He absolutely seemed to be enjoying himself and it was apparent to me that the contrast with Rubio is that Bush is imagining the work of governing while Rubio is doing inspirational campaigning.
Bush answered a question about guns speaking of regulations considered and in place in Florida. Rubio could easily do something different and probably rethorically better. Something like, "This president doesn't trust Americans and he doesn't understand and believe that our Constitution was written to protect us against tyranny. This is a right guaranteed us by the great men who wrote the Constitution, and I am not ashamed to say I believe it is a right given us by God, the right of an American to protect himself and his family." Something like that. Or better. And said with steely resolve and passion.
Insofar as a president is an inspirational communicator, then Rubio fits the bill. Insofar as the president attempts to manage a presidential agenda, then Bush better fits the bill.
The parallel between Obama and Rubio--inspiring communicators--and Hillary and Jeb!--agenda managers-- seems to me to be the real contrast I observed up close.
In 2008 Democrats had the two options and the choice was a near toss up, one that Obama won because his people better understood delegate selection rules. Republicans will have their chance to choose.
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