Former president George W. Bush wasn’t around when his little brother Jeb announced his candidacy for president this week. W, as he’s known, was probably busy painting a tranquil scene, Hamid Karzai or another picture of himself — or clearing some brush, as he likes to do. For his part Jeb is trying to paint a picture of himself too, a fresh one that the public will vote for. It’s most assuredly not a family portrait, despite the dynastic ring of his surname.
In fact, Jeb wants to be a Bush and not be a Bush in equal measure. (Much like Hillary Clinton would like to both be — and at times not be — a Clinton. It’s Hamlet, 2016! “To be, or not to be…”) If W is clearing brush, then Jeb is clearing Bush. Even his campaign logo skips the surname — it’s just “JEB 2016”. But making things clear is still his older brother’s job. George W. helpfully explained and predicted all Jeb’s difficult maneuvering back in April when he said Jeb Bush has a problem running for president. What’s the problem, according to W? “Me,” the former president answered. He’s like Claudius.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) June 14, 2015
