Posted on 12/22/2011 11:38:12 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Less than two weeks before Iowa Republicans make their crucial caucus choices on the night of Jan. 3, George H.W. Bush offered words of support, if not an official endorsement, to an old friend, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, according to a story today in the Houston Chronicle.
“I think Romney is the best choice for us,” former President Bush told the newspaper. “I like Perry, but he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere; he’s not surging forward.”
The former president’s choice is a blow to native son Rick Perry, the Texas governor who has had a long-standing feud with the Bush family and no doubt would have preferred that Bush remain neutral.
Bush said he had known Romney for many years and also knew his father, George Romney, a former Republican governor of Michigan who ran for president in 1968. He praised Romney for his “stability, experience, principles,” and added, “I just think he’s mature and reasonable – not a bomb-thrower.”
But he said he did not mean to imply that the other candidates are bomb-throwers. “I’ve got to be a little careful, because I like Perry; he’s our governor,” he told the newspaper.
Joe Householder, a Houston-based political consultant, told he Chronicle that with his not-an-endorsement statements, the former president probably was drawing a distinction for voters around the country who may not be aware of the historic antipathy between the Bush and Perry camps. In last year’s GOP gubernatorial primary, when Perry sought a history-making third term as governor, the Bushes endorsed Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas...
Why wouldn't any sane person snub Texas Congressman Ron Paul?
But snubbing him in favor of Mitt Romney...???
And notice the reasons they give for their support - weak as mitt.
Perry is better off without rino G.W.Bush.
He really should have had the class to keep his mouth shut. I remember how bad he felt when Reagan wouldn’t endorse him, and here he is doing the very same thing to the governor of the state where he lives. It was a classless, crude move and I’m embarrassed for him.
Not a surprise.
Romney’s a placeholder for the Bush family until Jeb runs in 2016.
I’ll say it here and I’ll keep saying it. The GOP is part of the “deal” to keep obama in. The republicans can’t be as stupid as they act.
Take cutting unemployment back to 59 weeks. What will be the true result? More people will fall off the rolls making the unemployment number go down. Obama gets credit. There can’t be any other reason.
Give Romney the nomination. He loses. Why? According to the press it will be because the “right wing tea party” stayed home whether they stay home or not.
The GOP volunteered for this and it started with “Read my lips” Bush.
I’m NOT(embarrassed), the is CLASSIC BUSH Family. The Bush’s are NOTHING but yet ANOTHER N/E LIBERAL Family of Grifters.
If I were Perry, I’d be thanking the Good Lord for that snub. That’s the LAST person I’d want an endorsement from.
Strange that his is now being released to or by the Houston Chronicle. Romney met with the Bushes at their home back on Dec. 1 while he was in Houston for a fundraiser. I guess this is a timing thing as to the release of the favorable support to Romney. Heck the Chronicle has a series of 10 photos on their website from the Dec. 1 meeting.
That is too bad. For those of us who have defended Bush 41 and 43 as decent, patriotic Americans - this endorsement was undignified and indecent. Bush Sr. should have waited until after the primaries and endorsed the standard bearer.
Bigger questions - why now? & was it necessary?
Romney must be in deep doo-doo if he is running around begging for endorsements.
Perry & Newt are better without the GOP elite country clubbers.
Rick Perry and Newt - two men who don’t play golf - can’t be all bad;)
Where's the news in this? One Chi-Com stooge supports another Chi-Com stooge?
I like Bush I as a person, but WOW, man-up and get a real dog.
Almost everyone who’s endorsed Romney is either a potential contender for his V.P. slot or someone who’s obviously going to be backing someone else like Jeb who might run in 4 years after Obama’s 2nd term. The question is how many gullible Republicans are going to fall for all of this and for Romney’s 4-Pinocchio ads.
It makes me like Perry much more! The bushes would NEVER, EVER support a conservative.
“Romney’s a placeholder for the Bush family until Jeb runs in 2016.”
A place holder or a palooka? There is no doubt they want Romney in, but I think the intention is that he will fail.
I am a Newt supporter but find this disgusting. Bush is another establishment republican that raised our taxes. Shame on Bush!
‘The GOP is part of the “deal” to keep obama in. The republicans can’t be as stupid as they act. ... The GOP volunteered for this and it started with “Read my lips” Bush.’
Agreed. Since ‘New World Order’ Bush was inaugurated we have had an unbroken succession of globalist administrations. Almost a quarter century of expanded government, expanded global missions, diminished personal liberty, and diminished national sovereignty. The two parties are rivals within the same franchise. They are not enemies.
you forgot the great Bob Dole
Surprise surprise.
The Bushies have been pissed at Perry since he wouldn’t step aside so their chosen “Governor” Kay Bailey Hutchison could assume the throne bestowed on her by the Bush Clan.
Just doing Roves bidding. His boy Romney needs some help.
If Romney wins, the country is likely to get sick of Republicans again like they did after Bush.
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