by Mark Silva
Now that President Bush has shown his hand -- all but endorsing Republican presidential candidate John McCain in a Fox News interview held at Camp David over the weekend in which Bush called McCain a true conservative -- the president's younger brother has stepped forward.
Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida, added his name today to McCain's campaign endorsements. However, while the endorsement was made public by the campaign today, Bush tells the Swamp that he wrote a check to Sen. McCain last week.
"John McCain is a patriot and devoted conservative leader," Jeb Bush said, in a statement distributed by the McCain campaign. "Like no other candidate in the field, John McCain has made tremendous sacrifices for this nation.
"He is beholden to no interest other than that of the public good,'' Jeb Bush said. "He is determined and steadfast in his commitment to reducing the burden of high taxes, restoring the people's trust in their government, and winning the war against radical Islamic extremists.''
This Bush had remained mum throughout much of the primary campaign season -- though he had steered many of his closest political advisers and allies to Republican Mitt Romney. He had arranged a meeting with Romney for his lieutenant governor, Toni Jennings. And his top political strategist, Sally Bradshaw, had gone to work for Romney.
The president too had remained mum until it was apparent that McCain had the clear advantage for his party's nomination, but started speaking out at the Conservative Political Action Convention last week in Washington and then Sunday on Fox News.
The sitting governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, had come out in support of McCain days before the Florida primary -- when it was apparent that McCain had an edge over Romney - and that and other endorsements there may have helped propel McCain's all-important win there.
"I am very proud to have Jeb Bush's support,'' said McCain. "He has a distinguished record of conservative leadership and I admire his dedicated service to the people of Florida. He makes a great addition to our growing team of Republican leaders."
Comments
Dear President W.:
On behalf of Democrats everywhere, please, PLEASE go out and campaign for Senator McCain. Any way that we can link him to you would be an advantage to us. Just reminding the American public that 4 years of McCain would be like 4 more years of you will make our job much easier in November.
Posted by: BobinATL | February 11, 2008 2:53 PM
Here's hoping that this coming January the Bush family can just fade into the annals of history, that is, after W stands trial in The Hague for war crimes.
Posted by: DD | February 11, 2008 3:02 PM
The Bush's sure are determined to plant their kiss of death on Sleapy McCain. Thank you, Bush family. Your judgement of other people's skills and qualifications (Katrina, Iraq, etc.) has a wonderful track record.
Posted by: john | February 11, 2008 3:18 PM
This is great news...for the Democrats!
I can't wait for old man McCain to spend the next 6-8 months trying to get the Bush stench off of himself.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1188858/posts
Posted by: MARINE | February 11, 2008 3:22 PM
McCain: The Audacity Of Gloom
Sing along everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gwqEneBKUs&eurl=http://www.dailykos.com/
Posted by: Dr Strangelove | February 11, 2008 3:49 PM
"JEB BUSH SPEAKS"
SEE DADDY I STOPPED CRYING, CAN I PLAY PRESIDENT NOW. YOU LET GEORGE DO IT FOR 7 YEARS, WHY CAN'T I?
SEE DADDY I STOPPED CRYING, CAN I PLAY OUTSIDE AGAIN? PLEASE DADDY, PRETTY PLEASE.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH JOHN JOHN. I DON'T WANT TO PLAY WITH HIM, HE IS MEAN, AND ANGRY ALL THE TIME. HE DOESN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT AND I'M REALLY SCARED OF TRAINS DADDY.
I JUST WANT TO PLAY LIKE GEORGE DID. CAN I, CAN I CAN I DADDY.
I PROMISE NOT TO TAKE YOUR CREDIT CARD, I MEAN HALLIBURTON'S DUBAI DEBIT CARD. I PROMISE DADDY. I JUST WANT TO PLAY PRESIDENT TOO!
"GOD WANTS WORLD CUP NOT FALSE PROPHETS"
Posted by: Roger Morris | February 11, 2008 4:41 PM
I'm thinking a McCain/Bush ticket. And if it happens, I guarantee you the media won't scream dynasty as much as they do with the Clintons.
Posted by: Paul | February 11, 2008 6:08 PM
No way - McCain would be a total idiot to even acknowledge Jeb Bush's endorsement or even as a running mate. He has already made one stupid acknowledgment - Lieberman It would be quite a roster of endorsements for the 72 year old, still living in the mental war zone of repressed agression. Five years in a POW camp have left an angry, old man in its wake.
Posted by: the truth | February 11, 2008 6:33 PM
Another true conservative for McCain! The race could be officially over after the winner take-all Virginia primary tomorrow. Now on to November!
Posted by: Jeff | February 11, 2008 9:02 PM
Bill/Jeff,
This race was over before it started, regardless of which republic won the tallest midget contest.
Posted by: Bubba | February 11, 2008 11:51 PM
John McCain voters are actually required to watch this video.
CLICK ON THE LINK TO WATCH IT ON YOU TUBE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y395Tftgz0E
Pass this on to ten friends.
Posted by: Lawrence | February 12, 2008 12:19 AM