With all of the early prounouncements about what kind of president Barack Obama already has will have been, along with all of the hand-wringing about the future of the GOP, I feel that I have to weigh in on the issue of the moment.  What's that you say?  Deuteronomy lupus?  Lobotomy cupid?  I can't understand what you're saying when you talk with your mouth full.  Say, what's that you're eating?  Gubberman cheese?  I'm not sure I've had that variety.  Wait, what?  "It's the economy, stupid?"  Well, I don't appreciate your tone one bit.  Besides, I'm trying to talk about the future here.

To that end, allow me to re-introduce George Prescott Bush, son of Jeb and potentially the next, next President of the United States of America.  Now, before you say that I'm getting ahead of myself, allow me to get ahead of you by saying that I'm getting ahead of myself.  Good, that's out of the way.  May I continue, please?

Thanks.  Why George P. Bush?  Could this handsome fella really be the future of the GOP?  Let's take a look at some the possible factors:

Factor the first: Age. George P. is young.  Born in 1976, he'll be 40 in 2016.  However, at the tender age of 12 he spoke at the 1988 Republican National Convention that nominated his grandfather.  He also campaigned prominently for his uncle in 2000 and, somewhat less prominently, in 2004.  Though it has been speculated that his relatively low public profile of late may have had something to do with this military service record during wartime, or lack thereof, rest assured that by 2016 he will have completed his eight year contract as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve.  If 40 sounds young, let's remember that Barack Obama was just barely 47 this November 4th.  Also, if it is true that a generational shift either is occurring or has occurred, then we should probably be willing to entertain the thought that this could potentially be a plus for George P. rather than a minus.

Factor the second: Race. George P. is the son of Jeb Bush and Columba Bush.  His mother is from Mexico.  George P.'s heritage has already proved popular among Hispanic voters.  Also, if Wikipedia is to be believed, he went to high school with Enrique Iglesias.  Okay, quit swooning and consider this: The U.S. Hispanic population is the second largest after whites and it is growing.  George P. could conceivably enjoy a very comfortable electoral environment in states like Texas, Florida and, quite possibly, California.  California's population is one-third Hispanic by recent estimations.  If a red California sounds improbable to you, then perhaps you've gotten too complacent with a California that seems perennially blue.  When was the last time that California went for the GOP?  1988, when George P.'s grandfather won a ticket to the big chair in the Oval Office.  If Barack Obama's election truly marks a break with the past in terms of what the face of political power looks like, then George P. will be in good graces come 2016.

Factor the third: Dynasty. Even in the world's oldest democracy, you cannot discount the role of dynastic power.  If you doubt this premise, then I will ask you if the names Adams, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Clinton or, ahem, Bush ring a bell for you.  No?!  You are hopeless.  Have some more cheese.  As I was saying, though we'll have to wait and see what the elections between now and 2016 look like, George P. may just be the perfect candidate for a post-Obama GOP.  He's the old boy who looks like the new boy.

Factor the fourth: Bush fatigue? As of right now, George P. is a Texas attorney and real estate developer.  He's working on his military credentials.  He's young enough that he's got time.  2012 is too soon.  In fact, 2016 might even be too soon.  However, he'll be 48 in 2024.  That gives him 16 years to make a name for himself.  That's plenty of track to run.  His uncle didn't seem to be too hurt by a bit of a late start, but he's got an even bigger advantage in several respects.  Perhaps being so young actually works in his favor here by giving him some distance from what appears to be a very dismal conclusion to his uncle's presidency.

So, is George P. Bush the face of the future GOP?  I'm going to go ahead and say: Absolutely.  That way, if I'm right, confirmation bias will allow you all to think back and say to yourselves, "Damn, that DF was like some kind of blogosphere Nostrodamus or, to a lesser extent, Jim Cramer."  Either that, or I will be dead wrong and no one will remember this by-then-ancient blog entry.

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Cross-posted @ dagblog.com, where you can read what Genghis has to say about the future of Polish Olympic athletics and something or other about Canada.  Oh, Canada!