Obama, Jeb Bush, and a Miami High School Visit

President Obama visited Miami Central High School today, and cited its "improvement" as an example of desirable institutional progress. The Miami Herald has some details about the visit, including Jeb Bush's role in it. The Washington Post version of events, however, offers much more political juice.

The story's intrigue involves Obama and the Bush clan. Why would 44 play ball with the GOP's resident family dynasty? Why would the Bushes cooperate with the Big O, when the Hawaiian-born president harshly criticized President 43?

To some extent, la famille Bush and Obama have managed a truce beyond the political practicalities of rhetorical stances. Obama's defense secretary, Robert Gates, comes from the Bush camp. It's not a coincidence that Obama has been relatively safe from right-wing criticism of defense matters. (Let's see what happens once Gates retires.) The Obama administration, which intended to shut down the Guantanamo prison, has kept it open. Desperately needed inquiries into the so-called "war on terror" have been largely avoided. The Bush administration's handling of the American financial crisis never seemed like an issue Obama wanted fully aired. The disturbing usurpation of civil liberties through the aggressive use and manipulation of national intelligence assets, to the shame of the American conservative movement, remains largely unaddressed.

While Obama could be characterized as understandably wary and cautious about the Bushes, it does not explain why Jeb Bush would interject himself into an issue essential to Obama's re-election bid. However, Obama might have one eye on the GOP presidential primaries. To win the party primaries, GOP candidates typically veer hard toward the political right. That tilt, along with the fanaticism of the Tea Party faction, means Obama has an opportunity to convince centrists and moderates that he, again, is The One. The Bush clan represents the GOP establishment that has a perspective that Obama has already demonstrated he can live with, while not necessarily liking it. As represented by 41 and brightest son Jeb, the Bushes offer a world view in which religiously inspired foreign policy and combative domestic agendas don't mix with practical issues of governing, economic strength, and diplomatic-military jiu-jitsu.

Jeb Bush, through his olive branch to Obama, has set the groundwork for continued cooperation. Its vision extends to the 2012 election, and beyond.

The photo, from Life, shows former president George H.W. Bush, Barbara Bush, and to Mrs. Bush's left, Jeb Bush.