George W. Bush, the former U.S. President, has opted to withhold his endorsement of a candidate in the forthcoming 2024 presidential election. His decision arrives in a politically tumultuous climate, with other high-profile Republicans adopting diverse positions concerning the election.
An official statement from Bush’s office was shared with NBC News, stating: “President Bush retired from presidential politics years ago.” This remark reveals the 43rd President’s current perspective on political involvement, maintaining his recent conduct concerning presidential elections.
The decision of Bush not to endorse is in stark contrast to that of his former Vice President, Dick Cheney. Cheney surprised many by expressing his support for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, in the upcoming election. Cheney’s reasoning for this choice was unambiguous and assertive. He argued that Donald Trump is a unique threat to the American Republic, accusing him of attempting to hold onto power unlawfully after losing the previous election via dishonest and violent methods. Cheney adamantly declared that Trump should never again be given a position of power.
Abstaining from presidential endorsements isn’t a novel move for former President Bush. He similarly refrained from publicly endorsing any candidate during the 2020 election. Later, during an interview with People magazine, it was revealed that Bush had written in Condoleezza Rice, his former Secretary of State, on his ballot. In the 2016 election, Bush’s spokesperson disclosed that the former president had left the presidential portion of his ballot empty.
Since leaving office, Bush’s approach to presidential politics has changed. During his post-presidency years, he endorsed Republican candidates John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. However, he hasn’t attended a Republican National Convention since 2004, when he was the incumbent President running for re-election. His last convention appearance was in 2008, when he addressed the convention remotely from the White House.
Bush’s decision not to endorse a candidate comes as the Republican Party grapples with internal discord and the ongoing influence of former President Donald Trump. As of July 2024, a majority of currently serving Republican senators and representatives have endorsed Trump’s 2024 campaign. This includes 42 of the 49 Republican senators and 192 of the 220 Republican representatives.
Notable Republican figures such as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, and Representatives Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan have endorsed Trump. At the state level, 25 of the 27 incumbent Republican governors have endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign.
However, Bush isn’t the only figure to abstain from endorsing. Of the living GOP presidential and vice presidential nominees, only Sarah Palin, who was McCain’s running mate in 2008, has publicly expressed her support for Trump in the 2024 race.
On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris has received endorsements from various party leaders and officeholders. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Tim Kaine have voiced their support for Harris, as have Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Kathy Hochul of New York.
The 2024 presidential race has seen some interesting cross-party endorsements as well. Apart from Dick Cheney, several other Republicans have declared their intention to support Harris, including former members of Congress and state legislators. On the other hand, a handful of Democrats, including some former governors and state legislators, have crossed party lines to endorse Trump.
As the 2024 presidential race moves forward, the endorsements or lack thereof from political figures like George W. Bush will likely become a key point of discussion and analysis. While some express their support vocally, others, such as the 43rd President, opt to remain on the sidelines.
