THE VISIBLE JEB – AT 9:42 A.M. ET:  Have you noticed that Jeb Bush seems to be suddenly in the news a great deal?  While he denies any interest in running for president, he has certainly kept his options open by refusing to endorse any candidate in the Florida primary.  He is, of course, an influential former governor of Florida.

We noted yesterday a fine column in National Review urging Bush to run.  And now there's this, from Bush himself, in the Washington Post.  Why do I think it's kind of an advertisement for what he can do for the GOP?

In the 15 states that are likely to decide who controls the White House and the Senate in 2013, Hispanic voters will represent the margin of victory.

For the Republican Party, the stakes could not be greater. Just eight years after the party’s successful effort to woo Hispanic voters in 2004, this community — the fastest-growing group in the United States, according to census data — has drifted away.

Although Democrats hold the edge, Republicans have an opportunity. We also have a record of winning Hispanic voters in certain statewide and national elections.

By that he means Florida, where he did very well among Hispanic voters in his gubernatorial runs.  Say what you will, but this sounds very much like a campaign pitch.  Bush is proclaiming, "I've done it before and I can do it again."

We need to connect immigration to other pro-growth policies, so that new Americans can apply their talents here and succeed. The United States needs an economy that is vibrant and dynamic, open to the contributions of new entrants. We have to reduce regulations across our economy, whenever they impede economic dynamism and flexibility in the labor market. We need secure energy supplies, radical tax reform and a reduced footprint of power of the state.

Immigration reform requires economic reforms. We must be able to assure new Americans the opportunity to succeed and contribute their talents.

And when they come, as surely they will, we must welcome them, no matter whether they speak Spanish or Creole or Portuguese. When we hear foreign languages in the streets of America, that is a validation of the Republican vision to create a place where people want to come and make their lives. Hispanics here speak or are learning English — not French, Chinese or Hindi. There is a lesson in that, and Republicans should be the ones to champion it.

COMMENT:  Very well done.  Look the guy over.

January 26, 2012