It appears the Bush boomlet is over before it really even started.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will not run for the open Senate seat of Sen. Mel Martinez, he announced in a statement released moments ago.

"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to run for the United States Senate in 2010," said Bush. "While the opportunity to serve my state and country during these turbulent and dynamic times is compelling, now is not the right time to return to elected office."

This news almost undoubtedly makes it easier for the Democrats to win the open seat Senate contest to succeed unpopular one-term Republican Senator Mel Martinez -- though at the cost of depriving the party the opportunity to make 2010 yet another election about the Bushes. At this point, despite the prattling of George Bush the elder, my guess is that talk of a Bush comeback will occur nearly every two years into the future, talk that isn't backed up with any real movement towards a restoration of the clan's electoral success (or even real attempts at such a restoration).