Why is Jeb Bush in Asia?
On January 3rd, Florida Governor Jeb Bush arrived in Southeast Asia along with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, heading a delegation of experts charged with assisting relief coordination in tsunami-stricken regions. With rumors already abounding concerning a possible run for president in 2008, Governor Bush’s visit raised eyebrows, and, in some circles, questions of whether the trip is, at least in part, politically motivated. On the surface, Governor Bush’s appointment as leader of the delegation is logical enough: as governor of Florida, he has seen and responded to more than his fair share of natural disasters, including three major hurricanes this past fall alone. The major complication in the affected region thus far has been a logistical one. In many of the stricken areas, relief materials such as food, water, and medicine are available, but relief organizations have been unable to deliver them. With aid money already pouring in at unprecedented levels, the United States is
