George Bush Takes a Jab at Trump During His 2016 Campaign Debut

Rallying in South Carolina, George W Bush reacted to Trump’s comment on his presidency.

Republican candidate Jeb Bush, former President George Bush and his wife, Laura Bush. (Photo: AP)

George W Bush never mentioned Donald Trump. But with his folksy touch, the former president unleashed a tough take-down of the billionaire businessman who has upended the Republican Party.

I understand Americans are angry and frustrated. But we do not need somebody in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration.

<b>George Bush Campaigning for his brother, Jeb</b>

Former President George W Bush introduces his brother, Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, during a campaign stop in North Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo: AP)

Trump’s rise has confounded the Bush family and its allies. But despite predicting the brash billionaire would fade, it’s Jeb Bush whose White House hopes are in peril, particularly if he’s unable to pull a strong showing in Saturday’s South Carolina primary.

The race has entered an increasingly nasty phase in South Carolina, with numerous negative ads airing on local television, following an unusually caustic debate this past weekend in which Trump confronted Jeb Bush about his brother’s record as President.

Trump has led polls in South Carolina but is trying to fend off attacks from his chief rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who describes himself as “a consistent conservative” who can be trusted.

Republican presidential candidates from left to right, Ohio Gov John Kasich, former Florida Gov Jeb Bush, Sen Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Sen Marco Rubio and Ben Carson. (Photo: AP)

Bush is trying to pull ahead of Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Ohio Governor John Kasich to emerge as the mainstream alternative to Trump and Cruz, both of whom the party establishment considers unelectable.

George W Bush emerged from his self-imposed political hibernation to try to give Bush a boost. He layered each validation of his younger brother with an implicit critique of Trump.

He urged voters to back a candidate who will be “measured and thoughtful” on the world stage. A candidate whose “humility” helps him understand what he doesn’t know. A candidate who can win in November’s general election.

All the sloganeering and all the talk doesn’t matter if we don’t win. We need somebody who can take a positive message across the country.

<b>George Bush</b>

Jeb Bush and Donald Trump argue as Marco Rubio looks on during the New Hampshire debate. (Photo: AP)

With his brother as a strong warm-up act, Jeb Bush delivered an impassioned version of his campaign speech, touting his experience as Florida governor and vowing he could put Republicans back in the White House for the first time in eight years.

I can beat Hillary Clinton. I can promise you that.

<b>Jeb Bush</b>

Republican candidate Jeb Bush. (Photo: AP)

The former President’s return to presidential politics has been met with blistering attacks from Trump about the unpopular Iraq war and the economic recession that began at the end of his administration. Trump has also repeatedly reminded voters that the 9/11 terror attack happened on Bush’s watch.

If the ex-President is campaigning for his brother, I think he’s probably open to great scrutiny, maybe things that haven’t been thought of in the past.&nbsp;

<b>Donald Trump</b>

Trump speaks during his campaign in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo: AP)

As the crowd fell into a hushed silence, he recounted in detail his whereabouts on the morning of the attacks and praised the troops that served in the two wars he started in response, instead of glossing over it.

Your most solemn job as voters is to elect a president who understands the reality of the threats we face.

<b>Jeb Bush</b>

As he praised South Carolina’s Republican Governor Nikki Haley, the daughter of Indian-born parents, Bush pointedly said, “Thank goodness our country welcomed her parents when they immigrated here in 1969.”