Jeb Bush endorses Romney, calls on party to unite
(CNN) - Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose endorsement has been highly-sought during the 2012 GOP primary contests, announced Wednesday he was backing presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
In a statement, Bush congratulated Romney on his win in Illinois's primary, held Tuesday, and said it was "time for Republicans to unite behind Governor Romney."
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"I am endorsing Mitt Romney for our Party¹s nomination," Bush wrote. "We face huge challenges, and we need a leader who understands the economy, recognizes more government regulation is not the answer, believes in entrepreneurial capitalism and works to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to succeed."
Romney campaign senior adviser Eric Fehrnstrom said Bush called Romney Wednesday morning to alert him of his endorsement.
In a statement, Romney praised Bush as a unifying force.
"Jeb Bush is synonymous with good government and with conservative policies that yield results," Romney said. "He has long demonstrated an outstanding ability to bring people together. I therefore take tremendous pride in having earned his endorsement. This is a key moment in the presidential contest and Jeb’s counsel and support will be critical in the coming months in my effort to defeat Barack Obama and turn around our country."
Bush served as Florida's governor from 1999-2007, and is the son of former President George H.W. Bush. His brother is former President George W. Bush.
Jeb Bush was considered a favorite to jump into the 2012 GOP contest, but stated firmly in May 2011 he would not be a candidate for his party's presidential nomination.
Bush declined to endorse a candidate ahead of Florida's January 31 primary, saying he wanted to allow a candidate to "earn" his victory in the state.
In January, Bush told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King about the challenges Romney faced ahead of the Sunshine State's contest, suggesting the former Massachusetts governor needed to connect more personally with voters.
"His challenge is also to show his heart," Bush said of Romney "He has a great record, and he's been a successful man in every way, and I think people can relate to that if he expresses himself in the right way."
George H.W. Bush and his wife, former first lady Barbara Bush, publicly backed Romney in December, and Barbara Bush recorded robo-calls for the candidate that ran in Ohio ahead of the state's Super Tuesday contest.
George W. Bush has not yet endorsed a candidate for the 2012 GOP nomination.
Responding to news of Jeb Bush's endorsement of Romney, a spokesman for rival candidate Newt Gingrich said "It's a completion of the establishment trifecta."
R.C. Hammond was referring to Romney endorsements from George H.W. Bush, former Kansas senator and presidential candidate Bob Dole, and Jeb Bush.
CNN's Chris Welch and Peter Hamby contributed to this report.
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Get-Real: You are not an independent. It's obvious you are a Repub. You rather vote for one of the GOP clowns and more then likely the Cayman King.
Actually WIBeth it's true. CNN won't allow posts that include links. Ironically, raygun was shot by a mental patient who was released thanks to HIS Mental Health Patient Bill of Rights.
If Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination, I hope he selects Jeb Bush to be his VP nominee. That would be a "perfect" ticket for the Republicans to run against Pres. Obama. If past actions and recent history teach us anything, then Republicans are crazy enough to do it.
It would be a perfect storm for an Obama landslide. At the top of such a ticket would be their economic savant whose brain child, RomneyCare, formed the model for the Affordable Care Act. Backing the ticket would be the lone Republican Governer who said that The Stimulus was a success, and appeared on stage with Pres. Obama saying so while asking for more funds. Perfect!
Romney 2012 !!! We need him more than ever.
If you had any doubts about Romney, his being backed by a Bush ought to clear things up for you. Sheesh.
To Get-Real.......What an intelligent decision that is. If Obama doesn't get a 2nd term you deserve to get what you voted for. Unfortunately the rest of the country will suffer right along with you.
Let's have a smart person for President again–a second term for President Obama and his very smart vice-president
will cement the progress toward ending that ill-conceived war in Iraq and getting us (even more) on track for a managed recovery with good results for all strata. Americans are better than most of these comments indicate.
All you need to remember is jeb was governor when those 9/11 hijackers came to Florida and learned to fly at his buddy's flight school.
Republicans are ruining America.
Actually WIBeth, raygun singed the Mental Health Patient Bill of Rights which allowed people who had no business living among the populace to check themselves out of mental health facilities. Ironically, he was shot by a guy who was released BECAUSE of that bill!
Of course Jeb is endorsing Mitt now, as it would appear that Mitt is going to be the nominee come November, proving once again that the number one quality Republicans are looking for in their candidate is whether or not he can beat President Obama. Not his views, not his qualifications, not his beliefs, not his record..............but his electability. How utterly pathetic. Romney has changed positions on so many issues more times than gas prices have changed in the past 30 days to appeal to whatever audience he happens to be talking to at the time, his record on job creation as Governor of Mass. was horrendous, and he's winning this primary only because he has the most money to spend. He's buying his way into the nomination and this $250 million "rich boy" is going to relate to the average American how?
Everytime I see a picture of Jeb Bush those mugshots of thieves that the Post Office used to put up comes to mind.
Blaaagggghhhh... I'm done with this campaign. None of these candidates bring anything to the table - especially Mitt Romney and his "I'm more electable than everyone else" campaign. That's great Mitt, but what does that do for ANYONE other than YOURSELF!
Poor FAT BOY gingrich, get a life and go home and bring Barbie with you. Better yet go back to the ZOO and see your relatives
A Bush, Romney... all kind of makes one feel queasy.
I will always despise Prescott Bush for unleashing his evil spawns on us.
Get-real.. You'll vote for Obama over anyone? You sound independent.
If our country keeps the deficit growing our country will never be the same in 4 years. Thats the only issue that needs to addressed right now besides ending the wars.
tonyl
Get-Real: You are not an independent. It's obvious you are a Repub. You rather vote for one of the GOP clowns and more then likely the Cayman King.
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Wrong, Tonyl, but believe what you will and believe there are thousands of Independents voters that will not vote for Obama this time around.
this guy is another nonsense. No new bush read my lips.
Mitt Romney reminds me of Tom Dewey. A northeastern governor who looks like a priesident. When they talk they say nothing. They have no core values or beliefs except that each thought they should be President. In 1948 the USA rejected the empty suit of no belief. Let see what happens in 2012.
the arrogant, volture, hypocrite whatever his real name is...will never be elected to the highest office in this great land...he will send other peoples children to war, but not his own, SHAMEFUL ....think of that voters, your own children but not his.....
@Get-Real
As an Independent voter I'll be voting for whom ever the person is that's running against Obama.
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Me too! Looks like Romney!
Worried
To Get-Real.......What an intelligent decision that is. If Obama doesn't get a 2nd term you deserve to get what you voted for. Unfortunately the rest of the country will suffer right along with you.
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We're suffering now and it's time to get someone in the White House that can stop the suffering.
Big endorsement? More like the kiss of death. The media will say anything to keep this farce going. We all know that the Republicans are headed to the oblivion they so richly deserve.
Luke, the dens had control of the white house, and all of congress for obamas first two years and still have 2/3 rds. Your party is in control.
What are they doing? How is Obama care going? How is the " change" going