Jeb Bush presidential bid challenge: Not being 'only adult in the room'

IforwhenJeb Bush enters the Republican primary presidential race, he will facea much deeper political bench than in 2012, when former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was seen by many asthe only responsiblechoice for the party.

"This is not going to be, as they called it [then], Mitt Romney and the seven dwarfs. This is going to be a legitimate field of contenders," said Tom Bevan, co-founder of the political websiteRealClearPolitics.com. "I think that might prove a littlebit more problematic for Bush because it's not going to be like he's the only adult in the room."

The other "adults" could include the party's rising stars, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker,New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, libertarian-mindedKentucky Senator Rand Pauland Tea Party favourite Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

And while the potential of a 2016 Bush/Hillary Clinton match up willcause most politicalobservers to salivate, Bush, who announced on Tuesday he will"actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States," could have a challenging timeslogging through theprimaries.

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"I think hes a formidablecandidatebut I dont think theres anybody thatcanstepinto the Republicanrace and become what we would traditionallythink of as a front-runner,"said Republican strategistVinWeber, who has worked on a number of Republican campaigns, including Romney's."I think its too wide open this time."

Last time on a ballot was 2002

"His biggest competition is not Rand Paulor Ted Cruz, it'swhat we call the establishment wing of the Republicanparty," said Republican strategist Ford O'Connell. "Hes trying to box out Chris Christie, Scott Walker, and also tamp down the potential pining forRomney. And this is very important because youhave to realizethe last time he was on a ballot was 2002."

Not only will Bush have to dust off his political chops, the former governor will have to brace for a bashing from the the far-right conservative wing of the party, which is opposed to his approach to illegal immigration, hissupport for the conservative-reviled Common Core academic standards and his refusal in the past to sign a pledge not to raise taxes.

"I think a big problem for JebBush will be some of the Tea Party base is just going to find his candidacy to be anathema," said political analyst Geoffrey Skelley, who is associate editor at Sabato's Crystal Ball at theUniversity of Virginia Center for Politics

And then, of course, there is the name he shares with two former presidents: his father Bush Sr., who has become a popularelder statesman, and his brotherGeorge W.,who left the White House with dismal approval ratings and alegacy that continues toremaincontroversial.

Yet Jeb Bush, a policy wonk, is not his brother, and althoughit has been years since he ran for office, his political legacy in Florida, a must-win state for a Republican presidential contender, isstrong. His wife Columba was born in Mexico and Bush isfluently bilingual, a major advantage in for a member of a party trying to attract agrowing demographic that continuesto flockto the Democrats.

As for his conservative credentials, the anti-abortion, pro-gun rightsBush endeared himself to the right as governorby cutting taxes and slashingbillions from the Florida state budget.

"The buzz aboutJeb Bush for decades alwayswas that he was the most conservative of the Bushes," said Weber."I wouldn'tbeginby saying he has no credibility on the right. He does.Lots ofthings he did as governor on educationalreformand on taxes and social issues that arequiteconservative put him in good standing withthe right wing of the party."

Top-tier candidate

Bevan said that despite some of the "warts" he may be perceived to have amongthe more conservative wing of the party, Bush would still be one of the top-tier candidates.

"Hesgot the name, hes got the fund-raising ability, he's going to be able toput togethertheorganization. So he will be formidable."

Added Skelley: "Looking at theprimary, I thinktheres no questionthat the establishment loves Jeb Bush, and typically the establishment candidate wins the Republicannomination in the end."

As for his last name, it's definitely "a double-edged sword" that comes with baggage, said Bevan. On the other hand, "he's got name recognition that other candidates would kill for."

Time, as well, has helped bolster his brother's presidential reputation from where it was when he left office.

"Look to see where George Ws numbers are today," O'Connell said. "Obviously not sky highbut they'reabove water and Obamas are in the drain.They're notan albatross around his necktheway theywerefouror eightyears ago."