You betcha?

Former Florida Republican Governor Jeb Bush said recently he isn't running for president. When CNN's John King asked if he'd support former Alaska (Half) Governor Sarah Palin if she were the Republican presidential nominee in 2012. "You betcha!" he replied with gusto.

That answer momentarily left me breathless.

As a boy, Jeb attended the Phillips Andover Academy, an elite private boarding school in Massachusetts. He made the honor roll in his first semester. He attended the University of Texas (at Austin), where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He completed his course work in only two and a half years. He was a well regarded governor of Florida, the first Republican to serve two full four-year terms. His approach to politics has generally been moderate and pragmatic.

In short, Jeb Bush is a smart, sophisticated man who is a political realist. And yet he would endorse Palin? Since it doesn't really cost him anything, I assume he's just playing politics. Why make an enemy of Mama Grizzly? Let's hope it's just that. For if the day ever comes when reasonable pols like Jeb Bush can get behind an empty-headed charlatan like Palin, we really will be in deep kimchi.