Republican president candidate Jeb Bush has scored the endorsement of South Carolina Sen. Graham was polling at a few tenths of a percent north of zero when he called it quits, so his endorsement won’t do much for Jeb’s own anemic support, and it’s unlikely that Graham’s approval will alter the trajectory of the Bush campaign. However, the implication of his statement that Mr Bush would be “ready on day one” to fill the role of commander-in-chief was that they would not be.
Advertisement
Graham praised Bush’s approach to immigration reform and suggested the former governor would be able to build partnerships with moderate Muslim countries in the fight against terrorism.
While Bush is struggling in Republican polls, Graham said the former Florida governor can revive his candidacy in SC, which hosts a pivotal Republican primary on February 20. “I’d urge him to get out after New Hampshire if he doesn’t do well, but he probably won’t”, a “disappointed” Bush donor from Wall Street told Politico. On the morning Graham dropped out, Bush texted him immediately and later made a hard pitch over the phone – that he was best equipped on Graham’s top issue of national security. He added that it’s not enough to criticize President Barack Obama, “you have to have an alternative to leading from behind” – something which he argued Bush has. “Lindsey Graham embarrassed himself with his failed run for President and now further embarrasses himself with endorsement of Bush”.
Many of Graham’s fans jumped to Bush after the senator left the race, including at least 10 of his campaign staff members, among them former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins, Reuters reported last month. “He will be the president that can reset the world, bring us together and solve hard problems”, Graham said. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who withdrew after struggling to muster any support in the polls.
Advertisement
This weekend the three remaining Democratic presidential hopefuls will meet for a debate Sunday night in SC. “And along with it come a lot of friends and supporters of his”, Bush said.
