Former President George W. Bush has taken a rather unconventional stance by deciding not to endorse a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. This decision was confirmed by his office in response to inquiries about whether he or his wife, Laura, would publicly support a candidate or reveal their voting intentions. The office made it clear that Bush had distanced himself from presidential politics for quite some time.
On the other hand, Bush’s former vice president, Dick Cheney, took a different route by publicly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for the election. Cheney expressed strong criticism towards President Donald Trump, labeling him as a threat to the republic. Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, also declared her support for Harris, highlighting the disapproval of Trump within the Republican party.
Bush’s decision to refrain from endorsing a candidate stands in contrast to his past actions. In previous elections, he had publicly backed candidates such as Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008. However, in 2016, both Bush presidents opted to stay silent on the topic of Trump. The younger Bush took a different approach by supporting Republican senators instead of the party’s nominee.
Despite their policy differences, several prominent moderate Republicans and former Trump administration officials have chosen to support Vice President Harris in the upcoming election. The Harris campaign has gained endorsements from a significant number of Republicans, including former Governor Bill Weld, former Rep. Denver Riggleman, and former Trump administration press secretary Stephanie Grisham. Additionally, over 200 former staffers for Bush, McCain, and Romney have expressed their support for Harris.
The decision of former President George W. Bush to not endorse a candidate, coupled with the endorsements of Vice President Harris by prominent Republicans, highlights the ongoing divisions within the Republican party. The varying stances taken by key figures reflect the complexity of the political landscape leading up to the 2020 election. It remains to be seen how these endorsements and public statements will influence the outcome of the election and the overall trajectory of the Republican party in the future.
Leave a Reply