WASHINGTON, Jan 31: Jeb Bush, former Florida governor is said to be the Republican Presidential nominee as Mitt Romney has announced he will not make another White House run in 2016, political strategists have said.
61-year-old Bush, son of former US president George HW Bush is considerable to be a formidable Republican presidential candidate to take on any potential Democratic nominee in the 2016 elections, political experts said.
Even as no announcement has been made, Hillary Clinton is considered as the strongest Democratic nominee for 2016.
Romney’s sudden withdrawal from the already packed Republican presidential race, which among others also includes Indian American Bobby Jindal and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie gives Bush an immediate advantage as he has the necessary resources and fund raisers for a presidential run, main stream media and experts pointed out.
“I think it is hard to argue that today’s news did not help Gov Bush,” Matt Moore, chairman of the Republican Party in South Carolina was quoted as saying by CNN.
The Wall Street Journal reported that most of the big money men who would have gone to Romney seem to be turning towards Jeb Bush.
“Fundraisers said Bush stands to benefit the most from Romney’s departure from the field, but many also pointed to the brightened prospects for Christie, who would also seek support from donors in the party’s “establishment wing,” the daily reported.
“Unless Chris Christie can show he is more viable than he has demonstrated at this point, we are going to have one establishment candidate versus an entire conservative field,” Steve Deace, a syndicated conservative radio talk show host based in Lowa was quoted as saying by the FoxNews.
The Washington Post said Romney’s decision spares the Republican Party a potentially bruising battle between its past nominee and its rising stars.
“It poses an opportunity not only for former Florida governor Bush, but also for New Jersey Gov Chris Christie, Wisconsin Gov Scott Walker and other GOP presidential aspirants,” the daily said.
“There are few people who have worked harder to elect Republicans across the country than he has. Though I’m sure the decision was not easy,” Bush said.
“I know that Mitt Romney will never stop advocating for renewing America’s promise through upward mobility, encouraging free enterprise and strengthening our national defense,” he added.
“Mitt is a patriot and I join many in hoping his days of serving our nation and our party are not over. I look forward to working with him to ensure all Americans have a chance to rise up,” the former Florida Governor said.
A Fox News poll released Thursday said that Bush will gain the most with Romney’s exit. (PTI)
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