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By Jennifer Cooper
Contributing Writer

Was Jeb Bush dropping out because of the constant cruel attacks by other candidates, the climate of others, like Fiorina, Christie and Rand Paul, dropping out or something else entirely? Or was he just staying in the race because of his family’s legacy, deep pockets and determination to compromise?

John Ellis Bush, better known as Jeb Bush, was one of the first announced Republican candidates in June 2015 for the presidential election. The announcement was no surprise to those who follow the election.

Bush had spoken about running for a long time, Jeb’s father and brother (George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush) presided between 1989-1993 and 2001-2009, respectively. Between the first Bush’s war in the Persian Gulf and his son’s war in Iraq, the United States has suffered grueling foreign policy decisions at the hands of the Bushs.

Jeb’s legacy was a frequent topic of the GOP debates so far, with much ridicule towards the debt amassed by the wars. Jeb claimed to regret the wars and showed remorse for all of those who have lost family because of them. He may not have started either, but, his name had a strong association with them and the losses that have resulted.

“The World Trade Center during your brother’s reign, remember that,” “Embarrassment to his family,” “Dumb as a rock” and “the weakest person on the stage” are only a few of the things said by Donald Trump to Jeb Bush throughout the campaign season.

Perhaps this was because of the difference of views on foreign and domestic affairs. While the only major political statement Donald Trump has made is the idea of building a wall, Jeb, the governor of Florida, has had his ideological platform developed over time. Donald Trump, who only speaks of his foreign policy, actually has similar views to Jeb on abortion, health care, LGBT rights and social security.

Bush was well known as one of the more moderate candidates, with views that swing towards the middle or even left on environmental policy, drug policy, tax reform and immigration.

During the primary season, candidates tend to polarize their views to get the nomination. However, Jeb stuck to his more reasonable moderate views. Unfortunately for liberals, democrats and even moderate republicans, hope for a reasonable Republican candidate is gone.

One of the biggest problems with the election so far, as well as modern politics in general, is candidates that are unwilling to budge on their views.

While this is good in the sense that it shows tenacity, these polarized views will hinder legislation and cooperation within the government. Many moderate voters have expressed that they would even prefer Hillary to any of the three Republican front-runners.

Jeb dropping out of the election may be a result of low approval ratings within the party race, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have made a decent president capable of compromise.

Moderates and liberals now have no good representative from the Republican Party. This perpetual problem will continue to alienate Americans from their neighbors until compromise is learned. Jeb’s drop out may signal something about this ongoing problem of unwillingness to find a middle ground in modern American politics.

Moderates and liberals now have no good representative from the Republican Party. This perpetual problem will continue to alienate Americans from politics until people can learn how to compromise. Jeb Bush’s drop out may signal that this ongoing problem of unwillingness to compromise needs to find a middle ground in modern American politics.