Dynasties looking back to old guard

America’s rival political dynasties, the Bushes and the Clintons, are about to resolve a mutual dilemma, what to do with their family presidents.

For Democrat Hillary Clinton, it’s what to do with husband Bill. For Republican Jeb Bush, it’s what to do with brother George W.

A lot is riding on this because a wrong decision could cost Hillary or Jeb the chance to become the next president in 2016.

As both seek to drive up their poll numbers and boost their chances, they’re weighing whether Bill can help Hillary to win or lose on the campaign trail and whether George W can help Jeb to score a White House hat- trick or doom his campaign?

Bill, of course, is a proven political master, having won the presidency twice. He is a campaigner par excellence, the great communicator- in-chief. Whether you like it or not, he feels your pain.

But he also carries some personal baggage from the Lewinsky affair, the kind of baggage Hillary would like to see locked away in a wardrobe. So bringing him along carries its risks as well as its rewards.

George W is also quite a polished political performer, having secured the presidency twice. But he also carries a certain amount of baggage for propelling America into the Iraq war — the kind of baggage that scares the hell out of many people.

Then again, Jeb says that his big big brother has “kept us safe”.

Still, like Bill, bringing George on the campaign trail carries its risks as well as its rewards. Clearly, it’s a tough question. But then, politics is about grappling with tough questions.

Jeb, however, hasn’t been doing too well on that front.

So far he’s got himself into hot water with women (“women’s health” programmes are overfunded); with blacks (they like “free stuff”); with workers (“people need to work longer hours”); with the elderly (“phase out” Medicare); even with the dead (“stuff happens” after the Oregon massacre).

Would George W help him? Maybe, but his record isn’t too glowing either. In fact, it was George who bequeathed us the word “Bushism”.

On August 5, 2004, we heard him make the following remark when signing into law the Department of Defence Appropriations Act 2005: “Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”

But as White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at the time: “Even the most straightforward and plain-spoken people mis-speak.”

Indeed, and perhaps it could be sold on the campaign trail as part of the common touch, a kind of Bush bonding, a fun twist to spice up the campaign.

Like the Bushes, though, the Clintons too can sometimes be gaffe-prone. Last time Hillary ran in 2008, Bill was known to drop a few clangers.

He called Obama’s anti-war position “the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen”, which infuriated blacks because they said he was calling Obama’s candidacy a fantasy.

Hillary, too, has put her foot in it. Her comment last year that the family was “dead broke” after they left the White House triggered accusations that she was out of touch with average Americans.

She was right, however, because in 2000, the couple had $2m (€1.8m) in assets but were $10m in debt, but it wasn’t a politically savvy point because by 2014 when she made the comment they had amassed about $139m.

Another danger for both campaigns is that using their respective family presidents will remind voters that both are dynastic candidates, possibly with a certain sense of entitlement to the White House.

Nevertheless, something will have to be done since both need a boost, Jeb in the polls and Hillary in her coffers where Jeb’s racing ahead of her, having so far raised $133m (117m) compared with her $97.7m.

Not surprising, perhaps, since Jeb was born into generations of old money, while Hillary’s and Bill’s wealth is of a more recent vintage.

But money aside, the question remains should both presidents be set free on the campaign trail, will they wreak havoc or could they catapult their candidate into history? Hillary’s team may already have cast the die.

Bill took to the airwaves recently saying Hillary’s email scandal was being hyped by Republicans to undercut her campaign.

And now comes news he’s planning to speak at a rally for her in Iowa tomorrow.

Jeb’s team has also begun to tap his brother’s skills. This weekend, George W, along with their father, former president George HW Bush, is hosting a major fundraiser for Jeb.

Donors must raise at least $50,000 if they want to attend and a photo with the two former presidents will set them back $100,000.

George W urged them in an email to back his brother. “I wanted to make sure I asked for your support on behalf of my brother, Jeb.

“He’s got a tough road ahead, take it from someone who’s been there. With his strengths and your support, he will succeed. But he needs you.”

Yes, but does he need you. And does she need him?