December 10, 2014 1:45PM 

# Jeb Bush and Lyndon Johnson 

By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) 

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Former Florida governor — but Texas native — Jeb Bush [told](http://www.wsj.com/articles/jeb-bushs-five-policy-areas-that-washington-should-focus-on-1418099627) the *Wall Street Journal* CEO Council:

> Republicans need to show they’re not just against things, that they’re for a bunch of things.

Which reminds me of a quotation from Lyndon B. Johnson that George Will [often cites](http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/george-f-will-the-slow-decline-of-america-since-lbj-launched-the-great-society/2014/05/16/21f70a8c-dc5c-11e3-b745-87d39690c5c0_story.html):

> We’re in favor of a lot of things and we’re against mighty few.

Let’s hope Bush’s “bunch” is different from Johnson’s “lot.” We can’t afford another such escalation in the size, scope, and power of government.

##### Related Tags 

[Government and Politics](https://www.cato.org/government-politics) 

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