Jeb Bush: A bipartisan punching bag

By Mitchell Blatt
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, December 30, 2014
Adjust font size:

First, the idea of another Bush is one that most Americans will have to warm to. Americans aren't too happy with the Bush name, after George W. left office with a 34 percent approval rating. The power of a name will be highlighted by that of Bush's likely opponent (if he wins the primary) on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton. Although her husband's presidency is remembered warmly for its economic prosperity, the couple is viewed by many as being dishonest and politically calculating after some of the scandals that occurred during Bill's presidency. Nor do Americans like the idea of one family dominating politics for so many years on end.

Both Jeb and Hillary have accumulated massive wealth. Mitt Romney, who made his fortune as a venture capitalist, was slammed as an out-of-touch fat cat. Bush has previously worked for Lehman Brothers and as an advisor to Barclays. You will be sure to hear about that from his opponents, as well as his deals with the Cordina Group, a real estate company that also invested in multiple other enterprises.

Business dealings

One particular relationship that will face scrutiny from both Tea Partiers and Democrats is his job with MWI Corp in the 1990s, selling water pumps to Nigeria. In 1992, Nigeria got a US$74 million loan from the government-run Export-Import Bank to purchase pumps from that company. George H.W. Bush just happened to be president at the time, and MWI just happened to be owned by Republican fundraiser David Eller. In 2002, the Justice Department filed suit against the company, alleging that US$28 million of the Export-Import Bank funding was used to pay a Nigerian sales agent. The case hasn't been fully adjudicated - and Bush isn't involved in the trial - but nonetheless it leaves quite a stench that his opponents won't shy away from attaching to him.

The case presents a unique challenge because it represents just the kind of supposed corruption that Tea Partiers see at work with the Export-Import Bank. In their minds, the bank is a slush fund to help big businesses and politically connected firms with tax payer money. You couldn't think of a much better example than this one. Tea Party Republicans tried to kill the bank in September, but it was extended for the short-term. They will be back in 2015 to try to kill it again.

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
   Previous   1   2   3   4   Next  


Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter