As the 2016 presidential election nears, more and more people are starting to talk about who they will vote. Of course it is natural for people to wonder about the voting plans of past presidents, and having a former United States president publicly claim that they will vote for you can really help to boost a candidate’s campaign. Unfortunately for Donald Trump, he is having trouble getting endorsements from many of the Republican party’s political heroes.
In a shocking turn of events, George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has declared his support for Hillary Clinton. At first, both Bush and his son had declined to share any of their opinions on the presidential race. Bush spokesman, Jim McGrath released an email that said, “The vote President Bush will cast as a private citizen in some 50 days will be just that: a private vote cast in some 50 days. He is not commenting on the presidential race in the interim.”
However, there have been many rumors swirling through the Republican party that both of the Bush presidents did not agree with Trump or support him. They did not attend past convention events designed to focus on Trump, and they have not been seen in any campaign events with Trump. Despite being staunch Republicans, they never attacked the Hillary Clinton campaign on Trump’s behalf.
Though he stayed quiet at first, Bush is finally coming forward and making his opinions on Trump clear. Bush has finally allowed Clinton’s supporters to make a public statement that he plans to vote for her. The granddaughter of Robert Kennedy and the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend, posted a Facebook post that shows her shaking hands with the 92 year old former president. The caption of the post states, “The President told me he’s voting for Hillary!”
Bush made this statement in Maine, but he also makes it clear that he is not actively endorsing Hillary Clinton’s campaign or policies, and many of her policies go against his Republican sentiments. However, when faced with a choice between Clinton and Trump, Bush has clearly decided that Clinton is the better option.
President Bush’s decision is a shocking blow to Trump’s campaign. Instead of getting support from his predecessors, Trump has only managed to get endorsements from past vice presidents. Many Republicans greatly admire George H.W. Bush, so they may follow his lead and not vote for Trump either. The fact that one of the great political leaders of the party is disappointed in the person they chose shows just how far the Republican party has gone from its roots.
Without Republican support, Trump may find it surprisingly hard to get the votes he would need to win the election. Though many extremely conservative people support his xenophobic views, his ridiculous policies and unpleasant personality has driven away many of the moderate Republicans. Even though most people would not classify George H.W. Bush as a moderate, even he no longer supports the Republican party’s choice for the 2016 election. This may result in even more Republicans flocking to the Democratic party’s choice.