I know we haven’t even had the ’10 midterm elections yet, but just hear me out, please. I was talking to a savvy politico last night. And he told me something that surprised me greatly: He believes that Gov. Rick Perry, the Texas Republican, will run for president in 2012. And not only that — win. Both the nomination and the general.

I said, “Really? But you know the conventional wisdom: It’s way too soon for another conservative Texas governor who’s a little rough around the edges.” The politico said, “That was definitely true a year ago. Not now.”

And you know what was also “definitely true” a year ago? That it was too early to contemplate another Bush — I mean, another member of the Bush family. The time for the next Bush would be . . . probably never.

Nuts to that. Jeb Bush is possibly the ablest, most appealing Republican politician and official in the country. He should run. Dynasty, schmnasty. Let the people decide who should or should not be president, and when.