February 11, 2008
Posted: February 11th, 2008 03:00 PM ET
Jeb Bush formally endorsed McCain Tuesday.
Jeb Bush formally endorsed McCain Tuesday.

(CNN) – Jeb Bush was one of the most sought-after endorsements ahead the presidential primary season. But the former Florida governor stayed neutral, despite reports many of his close associates were gravitating towards Mitt Romney.

Now, Bush has become the latest establishment Republican to formally throw his support behind John McCain. In a statement released by the McCain campaign, he called the Arizona senator a "patriot and devoted conservative leader."

"Like no other candidate in the field, John McCain has made tremendous sacrifices for this nation," said Bush. "He is beholden to no interest other than that of the public good. 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."

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Jeb Bush


Carressa, Florida   February 11th, 2008 4:26 pm ET

I knoew it would be a matter of time before he resurfaced. He screwed Florida and we are still feeling the underbrush!!! Glad he is gone. I don't understand why he was here in the first place.

Ian   February 11th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Just goes to prove my theory that no matter what McCain will be your next president.

jose   February 11th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

great, maybe Jeb will steal the election for McCain too

James Martins   February 11th, 2008 4:23 pm ET

James Martins (GA): Now that Obama is winning all the caucus states, Hillary’s excuse here is that they are dominated by activist. She could say anything to win an election, if she gets nominated for the democrats, America get ready for the republican machine.
She has not attracted republicans and independents.
She is part old folks dominated by lobbyist and special interest
She talks about her universal healthcare ($150 Billion annually)
Where is she getting this money from
People are voting for her because of old Bill
Obama has caused a nightmare in her campaign
They never say it coming
Hillary get ready, its not easy to be president of the United States
We are not going to vote for you, just because you were first lady
Wake up America, Snr Bush (4), Jnr Bush (8), Clinton (8) and Governor for 8+ Yrs
America is bigger than just 2 Families (Clinton and Bush)
GO McCain
GO Obama

Pat Canada   February 11th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

This should be enough for Americans. How clear can McCain make it?
He is Bush in and Bush out. A Bush Siamese Twin they are joined at the hip!
Wake up McCain supporters!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   February 11th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

The plan has always been for Jeb Bush to run for president, but George W. Bush's failed policies ruined that opportunity. Bush 41 has tactfully figured out a way to get Jeb in office. GWB endorses McCain and McCain agrees that Jeb will be his VP running mate. McCain does 4 years and Jeb runs for president. People get ready for more Bush's in the White House, only you can stop them.

charles   February 11th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

I am a very dissapointed in the failure of the state of Washington to make sure that all the votes were properly counted. This is very scary. I hope this is resolved today. I mean, really how hard is it to count 1500 votes? Do it already! If there is a even a question. All the votes should have been counted at least once. Huckabee is not even calling for a recount, just a first count. Why is Washington dragging its feet. Do they have something to hide?
It seems very strange to me. I think vote minipulation might be a big problem anytime the stakes get high. After all if Huckabee had swept all three states it would be really hard for the Republicans to rally around McCain.
I also am getting tired of the"Huckabee can't win" theorey, I've heard from most sources of media on the television that he can't win the nomination. The truth is he could easliy keep McCain from getting the delegates he needs. If Huckabee can do this, then he would have a very good chance of winning the nomination. Because the base of the republican party thats in the South pretty much rallys behind the Huckster.
Its time that the media start reporting truth instead of a spin. It all seems so fishy.

KenZ   February 11th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Barack is a loser wearing a costume!

kathe oakland, california   February 11th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Jeb, Jeb, Jeb. Are you looking to be VP to McCain????????

WATCH OUT FOLKS don't let this Bush family throw us our with the bath water along with brother George. NO MORE BUSH in white house – are you joking, my Lord, if that happens................
...........................I cannot even think of it. WOW I may have a heart attack – that is AFTER I CAST MY VOTE IN NOVEMBER FOR O B A M A!!!!!!!!

See Jeb, we know old George has kept you out of the political light when he allowed such an awful event as Katrina – where were you? You too were speechless, how could you enter race of anything after that failed Presidential care for his fellow Americans and, now that old George is going it is your turn again huh.

I CERTAINLY HOPE, yes I used that word HOPE, I certainly HOPE you are not put in the White House.

Richard, St. Paul, MN   February 11th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Jeb Bush endorsing anything other than some cheap beer is pretty ludicrous. He has about as much political clout as his idiot brother in the White House. Anyone that would accept a 'Bush' endorsement has got to have a political death wish.

c   February 11th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

As long as they are pro-Iraq invasion/occupation they will never win.

WMW   February 11th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Bushed again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aristocrats caused a revolution in France and the Ron Paul evolution is in part to the backward or forward move to Socialism and Communism of the liberals and neo-cons like the Bush bunch!

Lisa H., Ann Arbor, MI   February 11th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

That green tie is fierce.

Angela   February 11th, 2008 4:07 pm ET

bucking for a vp spot – saw that one coming....-

Alice   February 11th, 2008 4:05 pm ET

Wowee – lucky McCain!

I say keep that Bush name connected to McCain – get ALL the Bushes to back him! Maybe they can all appear on TV together – LOL!

A Democrat (preferably Hillary) is going to win in November anyway, but pushing ANY Bush in our faces right now will ensure that the Republicans REALLY get buried!

And it certainly is about time! The entire planet has suffered enough for the last eight years.

Caroline   February 11th, 2008 4:04 pm ET

Gross.... makes me dislike McCain even more. Bad connections, bad connections...

Praetorian, Fort Myers, FL   February 11th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

Two Bush's endorsements equals= peck of prickly pears for the Arizona boy.

I don't imagine for a minute that Republicans will rush to fall in line behind either of these two.

aware   February 11th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

I like McCain because he is a maverick! He will be a moderate president, and if the Democrats anoint obama, McCain will most certainly be our next president. :)

Hillary the HOPE of 08

NewPatriot-Arizona   February 11th, 2008 4:03 pm ET

McCain said ;

" We will stay the course in Iraq even if it takes 100 more years."

The choice is clear …… Ron Paul for President 2008 !

Jonathan, Florida   February 11th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

No Jeb no!

I thought you were above this?

I am truly dissapointed in this endorsement. :o (

I can't believe the Bush brothers are calling McCain a "true conservative".

Anonymous   February 11th, 2008 4:01 pm ET

relax robin lol....jeb bush is not available to be the running mate for McCain, so reports say....but It would be a bad ticket lol

Dave C - N.J.   February 11th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

Nice tie, Gomer.

GREGORY THEOBALD KLINE   February 11th, 2008 4:00 pm ET

LIKE HE NEEDS IT. Huckabee's just sticking in to keep the debate alive.

David   February 11th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

Relax Robin, chances are very slim that Jeb Bush will be anything after his very unpopular brother. McCain will get a young republican that compliments his lack of economic concerns and popularity among social conservatives. A good fit is Mitt Romney but I don't think they like each other very much and Mitt doesn't like being No. 2. It doesn't matter a whole lot because I doubt any Republican duo can beat Barack Obama this year.

J. Dean, Juno Beach, FLORIDA   February 11th, 2008 3:56 pm ET

YET ANOTHER OPPORTUNIST IS SURFACING. FOR THE REST OF OUR LIFE IT SEEMS WE WILL BE HEARING THE NAMES OF EITHER "BUSH" OR "CLINTON".
IS THIS THE WAY WE HAVE TO DEFINE "DEMOCRACY" ? OR IS THIS THE WAY WE HAVE TO FACE THE SAME "EL SIKO" FAMILIES ?
BOTH FAMILIES MADE ENOUGH MONEY (LEGALLY AND ILLEGALLY, OF COURSE) FAR MORE THAN THEIR NEEDS. WHY DON'T THEIR GIVE SOME TO THE NEEDY PEOPLE. LET US SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF EITHER FAMILIES, OR MAY BE THEIR ARE SO SELFISH AND STINGY THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE NEEDY PEOPLE OF OUR SOCIETY, HEY !

Jeanine G   February 11th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

I gotta believe he's just thrilled to get the backing of another Bush. That name is SOLID GOLD right now...a sure fire way to the White House! *rolling eyes*

mike   February 11th, 2008 3:54 pm ET

hahahaha!!

"Jeb Bush"... you guys ever see that comedy central cartoon about bush? Jeb is the retard with downs syndrome!! hAHAHAHA

windrider   February 11th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Oh gag me, not another Bush in the wings! If the Bush and Clinton families want to establish and maintain dynasties, let them go buy themselves one country apiece and then they can rule as they darned well please until one country nukes the other...in which case we'll be rid of BOTH.

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   February 11th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Can't wait for the Bush family to fade away.

They've raped the coffers to fatten their own nests.

George got something by being installed president he couldn't get on his own – a pension!

- OR -

Maybe Jeb is going to apologize to McCain for the shenanigans in SC in 2000?!

Well........I can imagine, can't I?!?!?!

Brad   February 11th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

whooop-dee-doo

Ommi   February 11th, 2008 3:47 pm ET

True, we all new this was coming a Bush back on the road to the white house . If this happens again I am moving to Europe. No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike   February 11th, 2008 3:45 pm ET

God please not jeb bush. I will vote for a democrat now.

MK   February 11th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

Oh Good Lord NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Justin   February 11th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

Say NO to BUSHCLINTONISM

Ken, Suitland MD   February 11th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

"Hi, my name is Jeb. I used to be governor of Fla. I screwed up that state even more than my big brother did in Texas. And my big brother tells me I did it with even less brains. That should rank me pretty high as a [R] choice for national office in 2012! Daddy and brother tell me the true-believers just love someone who can't think for himself, and I'm to do just as I'm told now! Don't tell them, but I do have some of my own thoughts: I want Paula Jones as a running mate in 2012.

"They did tell me to back this McCain fella; but I'm confused because some of big brother's friends told me back in 2000 that he was a traitor ... or something, and that he had illegitimate children... so now I'm confused...during the Vietnam war, while my big brother was running the air national guard, this feller McCain was laying around in Hanoi with the enemy....and now I'm supposed to like him? Well, like usual I'll just do what big brother says, and listen closely to these new lawyer-boy buddies he has looking out for me now.

"Dang!! President Jeb. Who woulda thought.....??? I couldn't even build legos, and now Daddy says I could be president. I love this country."

Chevyk   February 11th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

this is just ridiculous, I am a democrat but my support for huckabee is outstanding, he is comparable to Barack obama only as a democrat. yes i said it, He represents the youth. anyways Obama 08. A bush endorsing McCain? yep the republicans dont want to win the white house.

Jo R, Buena Park, CA   February 11th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

The bushes are a joke now.

Grif   February 11th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

Great Expectations, after the problem in Florida, and all the miss counted votes some years ago... For his Brother????

I'm just a learner... And I have one agenda. The rights put back in Bill Clintons, past Presidencyt.

Maybe his spouse can do a job, that can't be equalled....

They all. We all have past experience's we wish had ne3ver happened..

That's Government. And the Media....

Why is this Eledged murder trial on TV now,, Simpathy to help Oboma win some more.... What about the victim????????????

Robin Wagner from ct   February 11th, 2008 3:37 pm ET

MORE TEARS MORE BODY BAGS > MORE SONS AND DAUGHTER DEAD>>> BUSH AND MCCAIN> TICKET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aggiemom   February 11th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

OMG I like JEB BUSH but I don't think the name Bush will help McCain, too many people against George.

Nick, Austin, TX   February 11th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

I'm a Democrat but I always had some respect at least for McCain. If Jeb Bush is for him though I know McCain must be worse than I thought.

ben   February 11th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

Wow!! The same guy who helped steal the first election .
Will he try to steal this one?

HP Boston   February 11th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

If any one can keep McCain alive Jeb can, OR CAN HE? I vote for life support FOREVER! lol lol

James, Houston   February 11th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

Jeb Bush like Barb can't see the forrest thru the Bushes !

Eryn in SC   February 11th, 2008 3:28 pm ET

Maybe if he HAD endorsed Romney we wouldn't be in this mess with McCain!!!

skyhawk   February 11th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

McCain hates the Bush family. There will be no Bush on the McCain ticket.

James   February 11th, 2008 3:27 pm ET

Just what America needs in the picture right now another ( BUSH )...............lmao.

Shane,NY   February 11th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Jed Bush..another bad political leader...thank you for getting your brother elected and destroying the country

Darth Vadik, CA   February 11th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Jeb,

I know what you're thinking, but it ain't gonna happen.
You will never be president of the US, your dear brother has ruined the name of Bush for generations.

Plus no president of the US is going to be named Jeb, go head a banjo club or something.

Robin Wagner from ct   February 11th, 2008 3:25 pm ET

Betwheeen the 3 new wars and our son and daughter will never come home .
I been saying this in blog all over . Never ends. ... My SON WILL NEVER COME HOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne, Greenville TX   February 11th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

Someone needs to get behind Jeb Bush – and give him a swift kick in the pants.

Another useless member of the evil Bush Family.

Robin Wagner from ct   February 11th, 2008 3:18 pm ET

Oh no no no no no!!!!! Bush again .. McCain and Bush ticket .?? NOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is even more reson why we have to have Barack in because in 4 years Bush will run again . Clinton , Bush , Clinton , Then Bush . Where dose it stop .????
If we don't stop it now . Bush will be in next 4 years ,
OHHHHHHHHHH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim   February 11th, 2008 3:15 pm ET

Doesn't he look like a mix between George and McCain?

WHO CARES!!!

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