Even before Jeb Bush announced he was exploring a run for the presidency in 2016, the question emerged: Could Mr. Bush win the nomination without pandering to the Republican party’s conservative base in the primaries? The answer from many strategists was an uncomfortable no.
Moreover, these same strategists are quick to point out that shifting to the right during the primaries is exactly what helped cost Mitt Romney the Oval Office in 2012. It seems Mr. Bush can’t win the nomination without pandering and can’t win the general election if he does. What’s a centrist to do?
For starters, don’t believe these myths. Both are untrue, particularly as they relate to Mr. Romney’s run in 2012. CONT.
Lynn Vavreck (UCLA), New York Times