Republicans celebrate Jeb!'s possible run for Senate ... well, most do

Merely by saying he was "considering" a run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, Jeb! Bush has the state GOP all in a lather. Thinking they've figure out how to placate the batshit crazy wingnut side of the party, the radical right is falling all over themselves to get out of Jeb!'s way.

The news also gave pause to at least some of the hopeful GOP politicians mulling a run. U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, who was among the potential candidates identified by Republican insiders on Tuesday, issued a news release titled "Jeb Bush Would Make an Outstanding United States Senator" Wednesday afternoon.

Interestingly, though, not every prominent Florida Republican is overwhelmed with excitement.

Gov. Charlie Crist's response to the possibility was a marked departure from the enthusiasm expressed by other Republicans.

He called Bush a "great Floridian" and gave a tepid response when pressed about whether he'd like to see Bush run: "I would like to see him do what he wants to do."

How's that for a ringing endorsement?

Actually, I see these Senate feelers a lot like Sunny does. She commented here yesterday, "I bet somebody got to Mel [Martinez]. These guys are setting the table for 2012 already."

Even more to the point, I'm sure it's no coincidence that a potential Senator Jeb! would be completing his first six-year Senate term in 2016 ... right when President Obama could be wrapping up his second term in the White House.

The Republicans just don't give up on the Bushies, do they? Well, they don't -- or they can't.

But, if the all-powerful Bush machine propels Jeb! to the Senate, we in the reality-based community can take solace in one historical fact: the only Republican President to be elected directly from the U.S. Senate was Warren G. Harding, in 1920. And, if you know your history, you know that didn't turn out very well -- for the country or for Harding personally.