Running Against The Family Dynasty

Kilgore compares how Rand Paul is trying to differentiate himself from Ron Paul to how George W. Bush veered away from George H.W. Bush:

It’s hard to imagine Rand Paul pulling off this sort of parricidal coup, particularly since these days there is no figure like Robert Novak around to signal a consensus “movement” blessing on a suspected heretic. It might require an actual public admonishment from Ron Paul to make Rand Paul kosher, so to speak.

The whole subject is also a reminder of the exceptionally tough challenge facing Wall Street’s current favorite, Jeb Bush, if he decides to take their money and run. How does he simultaneously distinguish himself from his father and from his brother, without casting some doubt on his credentials as a “family values” man? “Bush 3.0” doesn’t sound like a very compelling signature, and “Vote for the smart one” or “Vote for the REALLY conservative Bush” wouldn’t look too good on bumper stickers. I honestly don’t know how he pulls it off, unless he changes names.