A few years ago, Jeb Bush spoke at a lecture series I attended in Manhattan Beach, California. He was articulate, energetic, and had a wealth of ideas that really impressed me. He earned my respect and even my prospective vote if he decided to run for president. FYI… I’m not a democrat or a republican. I vote for who I think is the best person for the job.
A year later, Jeb decided to run. We all know what happened. Donald Trump publicly humiliated him. Why? How?
First, let me give you a little of my back-story. I am somewhat obsessed with the idea of one man battling against great odds to survive and be successful. The caveat is always to do it with ethics and honor — fight hard and never give up! Winning is not winning if you’re a dirty fighter.
Donald Trump sucker-punched Jeb Bush and Jeb never recovered. Trump called him names and publicly mocked his gentle and studious style. True, Trump has an innate ability to find someone’s weakness and exploit that weakness. But, it’s a twisted gift that many bullies exploit, mainly in grade school.
Bush and his fellow republicans didn’t know how to deal with all Trump’s low blows. Politics, as they knew it, was not practiced that way.
Okay, so Trump won that round. Now what?
If I were Jeb Bush, I’d pull in every chit that anyone in power owed me and speak at the Republican National Convention or in a parallel venue. I would openly admit that I was sucker-punched and behaved poorly. I didn’t fight back in a way that made me proud. I would throw politics down the crapper and point out my true opinion of Donald Trump. His insensitive, juvenile mocking style and his aggressive, narcissistic personality make him a dangerous choice for President of the United States. I would advise ALL delegates to vote with their heart and mind and to realize that by supporting someone who behaves the way their chosen delegate behaves is IN THE LONG RUN a big mistake.
Art Smukler is an award-winning psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological murder mystery, Skin Dance, a mystery, and The Man with a Microphone in his Ear. All are available as paperbacks and eBooks.
Art Smukler, MD - Books & Thoughts 
Jeb wasn’t electable—period. He raised enough money to send thousands of kids to decent schools and he fell flat on his face because he just didn’t have the staying power. Whether it was his name or not, he didn’t get votes. People are fed up with the status quo. You can say it was because he was bullied…but votes matter. If he was bullied, then he ran away like a scardy cat and hit behind his momma. Really…people didn’t want him because of his old school, political ways. Nothing more.
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Happy Birthday Enjoy the day fondly Barbara and Hank
Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2016 16:41:12 +0000 To: barbarakoffman@hotmail.com
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Art,
I think you hit several good points. As most of us were all taught at a young age, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. Unfortunately, not everyone learned that.
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Thanks! I heartily agree.
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I agree 100% I was likewise impressed with Jeb when he spoke at the Distinguished Speaker series. His manner and his apparent sincerity along with his accomplishments made him a great choice. Of course, he did have the drawback of name since many people are really fed up with anyone named Bush, which is, of course, unfair to Jeb. Who knows? Maybe the rules will be altered at the convention and Jeb could yet emerge from the fray…stranger things have happened…
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Thank you. We can both fantasize
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