Barbara Bush: This is the 'worst campaign I've ever seen'
(CNN) – Former first lady Barbara Bush on Monday said she was not a fan of the current presidential race.
"It's been, I think, the worst campaign I've ever seen in my life. I hate it," Bush said at a conference at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. "I hate the fact that people think 'compromise' is a dirty word."
CNN LIVE:Go to CNN.com, and CNN Mobile for the CNN Election Roundtable, a live video chat hosted by Wolf Blitzer and the CNN political team, on Tuesday at 12 p.m. ET. Tune in this week for live coverage of the primaries on Super Tuesday on CNNPolitics.com, on the CNN apps and on the CNN mobile web site. Follow CNN Politics on Facebook and on Twitter at #cnnelections.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
Her comments, recorded by CNN affiliate WFAA, came during a conference on the impact of presidents' wives.
With her daughter-in-law, former first lady Laura Bush, sitting by her side, Mrs. Bush argued the level of political discourse has declined over the years.
"I think the rest of the world is looking at us these days and saying, 'What are you doing?'" she said.
But her apparent disgust with the race hasn't kept the feisty former first lady out of the 2012 presidential cycle.
On Sunday, robo calls went out to voters in Vermont and Ohio featuring her voice and endorsing Mitt Romney.
"We have known the Romneys for years and believe Mitt is the best man to lead the country for the next four years and Ann will make a great first lady," Mrs. Bush said on the call.
Her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, officially endorsed Romney in December.
- CNN National Political Correspondent Jim Acosta contributed to this report.
Also see:
Poll: All tied up in Tennessee
Romney gets backing from key Republicans
From CNN Politics
- Senate rejects Obamacare repeal July 27, 2017 01:17 am
- The Republican health care strategy: Pass bill first, fix it later July 27, 2017 05:06 am
- Cabinet members beware: What Trump is doing to Sessions can happen to you July 26, 2017 08:44 pm
- Trump announces US military ban on transgender individuals July 27, 2017 01:23 am
- Lawmakers, LGBTQ groups divided over transgender military service July 27, 2017 01:51 am
- California secretary of state on turning over voter data: 'No' July 27, 2017 02:58 am
Whether you agree with her or not, Mrs. Bush always speaks her mind, and lets the chips fall where they may. Refreshing.
barb has always been outspoken and what she said is the truth
A half-way reasonable voice from the Repubs. Who'd have guessed that would ever happen.
Well, Mrs. Bush, this is what your Republican party has become. And in the face of all of this, you lend your voice to support Romney? You are no better than this crop of clowns.
now the dems like a Bush,
Thanks for advertising Mitt and his Wife. That's what you want.
Of course, very hard to understand the Modern Day Civilization and the energetic debaters in the old time eyes.
Mrs.Bush, you did Great in President Bush time. You had all my Family votes. Thanks for contributing.
Mother knows best! God knows she knew how horrible her husband and son were. Her son was so bad at campaigning it took the Supreme Court to "appoint" him to the office.
Looks like the Illuminati back Mitt Romney.
If none of the idiot republicans would win their party's nomination, America would be better off. T-Paw has to be kicking himself each day.
Good for Barbara. She's a Republican and calls it like she sees it. She is correct...this has been the ugliest campaign I think in the history of the world. The train is full of clowns headed over a cliff!
Mrs. Bush seem to be suggesting its coming from both parties and overlooking the elephant in the room like what's different now than ever before!!! That might be why the republicans are crazy, because it's just the republican party that's went off the deep end. And.... I think the rest of the world knows what's going on, what's behind the craziness . Since she dosent seem to want to say it I will, RACISM!!!!
Another rich out of touch old person
AMEN, Barbara! Please, get out there and let it be heard! While I may not be a fan of your son or your husband, but I could not agree with you more! Compromise is the job of legislators and the executive branch. It appears this new breed doesn't understand how work actually gets done!
Since Obama cannot be re-elected unopposed, the GOP has resolved to nominate the least unelectable candidate.
Crazy to think that the GOP has gone so far to the right that Laura Bush sounds like a liberal.
I've always admired Barbara and Laura Bush (can't say the same for their mates). I have to disagree with Barbara on Romney "being the best" for the GOP candidate. There are NO good candidates running on the GOP with the possible exception of Ron Paul.
And she yet felt the need to endorse Robmey.
The elite endorsing the elite. No surprise there. Next.
►"We have known the Romneys for years and believe Mitt is the best man to lead the country for the next four years and Ann will make a great first lady,"◄
Yep, especially Ann – she encouraged Romney to run and I really believe she is tired of her many homes and now wants to accomplish living in the HIGHEST residence you can reside in – The White House!! Actually Mrs. Bush, President Obama will be right for the next four years – Thank You!
Obama 2012 – The Only Trusted Way Forward!!!
HAHA let me get this straight. She says that we should all compromise more and then makes robo calls for Mitt Romney? Sorry, Mitt Romney is a fine candidate. But the behavior of the Republican Party is abysmal (not the Blue Dog Democrats) are any better.
You can't complain then participate in the chaos. Robocalling is one of the most time-wasting political ideas ever invented. They have never changed my mind nor influenced what candidate I plan to vote for. I will hang up everytime.
"Ann will make a great first lady" ... hahaha
And given who her husband and son are, she's seen some bad ones.
"I think the rest of the world is looking at us these days and saying, 'What are you doing?'" she said.
Barbara Sorry to be the one to tell you. The world said that when your son was elected President. And then again when he invaded Iraq looking for WMDs.
Holy cow!!! That's rich coming from the one who gave birth to the evil little troll that wrecked this country??? Is now asking for more??/...Oh h e l l no!!