Former U.S. President George W. Bush has decided not to endorse any candidate for the upcoming presidential election, as communicated by his office to NBC News. When asked about endorsements from either Bush or his wife, Laura, the office stated, “no,” emphasizing that Bush has retired from presidential politics.
Notably, former Vice President Dick Cheney has backed Vice President Kamala Harris, criticizing former President Donald Trump as a significant threat to the republic, accusing him of attempting to subvert the last election. Cheney’s daughter, former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, also announced her support for Harris, maintaining a critical stance against Trump.
Bush’s decision not to endorse is striking, considering his past endorsements for Republican candidates Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008. In contrast, neither Bush nor his wife supported major party candidates in the 2016 elections, with Bush opting to write in former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2020.
The Harris campaign has been actively courting Republican endorsements, securing support from several prominent moderate Republicans and former Trump administration officials. This includes endorsements from former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, ex-Representative Denver Riggleman, and former Trump press secretary Stephanie Grisham. More than 200 former staffers for Presidents Bush, McCain, and Romney have also endorsed Harris.
In a recent outreach effort, Harris’s campaign appointed a national Republican engagement director to focus on independent and moderate GOP voters and launched a “Republicans for Harris” initiative.
Former President Bush’s abstention from endorsements underscores a significant divide within the Republican Party, as many prominent members, critical of Trump, rally behind Harris.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/07/george-w-bush-trump-harris-election-no-endorsement.html
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