George W. Bush, the former U.S. President, has opted to withhold his endorsement for any candidate in the forthcoming 2024 presidential election. This choice has been made within a highly politically charged environment, with other notable Republicans adopting diverse positions on the race.
A statement from Bush’s office to NBC News briefly outlined the ex-President’s position. “President Bush retired from presidential politics years ago,” the statement read. This succinct remark expresses Bush’s ongoing attitude towards involvement in presidential races.
Bush’s decision to refrain from endorsing a candidate stands in stark contrast to his former Vice President, Dick Cheney. In a surprising move, Cheney has announced his endorsement for the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, for the upcoming election. Cheney’s rationale for this decision was emphatic and unequivocal. He stated that Donald Trump represents an unparalleled threat to the American Republic, accusing him of trying to illegitimately maintain power after his previous election loss through dishonest and violent measures. Cheney firmly declared that Trump should not be granted a position of power in the future.
This isn’t the first time that the former President has decided not to publicly endorse a presidential candidate. He also refrained from endorsing a candidate in the 2020 election. It was later revealed in a People magazine interview that he had written in the name of Condoleezza Rice, his former Secretary of State, on his ballot. In the 2016 election, it was confirmed by his spokesperson that the presidential section of his ballot remained blank.
Bush’s engagement in presidential politics has undergone a transformation since his departure from office. During his post-presidential period, he endorsed Republican nominees John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. However, he has not attended a Republican National Convention since he was the incumbent President seeking re-election in 2004. His last convention appearance was in 2008 when he addressed the audience remotely from the White House.
Bush’s decision to abstain from endorsing a candidate comes as the Republican Party grapples with internal discord and the ongoing influence of former President Donald Trump. As of July 2024, the majority of currently serving Republican senators and representatives have endorsed Trump’s 2024 campaign. This includes 42 out of 49 Republican senators and 192 out of 220 Republican representatives.
Notable Republican figures endorsing Trump include Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, and Representatives Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan. At the state level, 25 of 27 incumbent Republican governors have endorsed Trump’s bid for the presidency.
However, Bush is not alone in his decision to abstain from endorsing. Among the living GOP presidential and vice presidential nominees, only Sarah Palin, the 2008 running mate of McCain, has publicly endorsed Trump for the 2024 race.
On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris has secured endorsements from a variety of party leaders and officeholders. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Tim Kaine have all expressed their support for Harris, along with Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Kathy Hochul of New York.
The 2024 presidential race has also seen some significant cross-party endorsements. Besides Dick Cheney, several other Republicans have announced their intention to support Harris, including ex-members of Congress and state legislators. Conversely, a few Democrats, including some former governors and state legislators, have crossed party lines to endorse Trump.
As the 2024 presidential race continues, the decisions of political figures like George W. Bush to endorse or abstain are expected to be a key point of discussion and scrutiny. While some publicly voice their support, others, like the 43rd President, opt to remain on the sidelines.
