Back in December, I asked if the close relationship between the Bush and Clinton families would impede Jeb Bush’s ability to really battle Hillary Clinton in a 2012 matchup: “Her record in public life — and that of her allies, and her party — has been an absolute disaster for the country for the past six years, and the 2016 Republican nominee needs to be able to make that case and win that argument six days a week and twice on Sundays. Perhaps Jeb Bush can be that man. But to do so, he’ll have to bring his A-game to the task of thoroughly defeating his metaphorical sister-in-law.”

The anti-Jeb video put out by Brent Bozell’s PAC also emphasizes Bush’s past praise for Hillary Clinton and giving her an award, warning, “Hillary will use this event to blunt any criticism that Bush levels against her.”

It may take a while for Jeb Bush to dispel the perception that he wouldn’t fight Hillary Clinton with everything he has… but he’s taken a key step with his hire of Tim Miller to be his communications director. Miller leaves his position as executive director of America Rising PAC, an opposition research group that has been absolutely ruthless and relentless in its criticism of Hillary Clinton since its inception.

This is like Troy Polamalu joining the defense of a team known for finesse.