As the Feb. 20 South Carolina primary nears, Jeb Bush is planning to bring out his brother former President George W. Bush on the campaign trail in an effort to woo Republican voters.
George W. Bush’s legacy has hovered over Jeb throughout the campaign, with the Florida governor at times distancing himself from his brother. Jeb has struggled with questions over whether he would’ve authorized the invasion of Iraq had he been president. At times he said he would, other times he said wouldn’t.
Following five separate interviews in which Jeb changed his mind and gave non-answers, George W. reportedly called his brother to tell him, “Stop it with this shit.” He added, “Say whatever you have to say.”
His most recent answer was that while he admits his brother “made mistakes,” Jeb admires his “dogged determination.”
Jeb told Bloomberg that his brother is one of the most popular Republicans around, “George, if you look at his favorability among Republican, it’s pretty serious.” (RELATED:Jeb Bush: George W. Bush Is ‘A Popular Republican [VIDEO])
One of Jeb’s biggest applause lines at a debate so far this race was when he defended “Dubya” from Donald Trump’s attacks saying, “As it relates to my brother, there’s one thing I know for sure: He kept us safe.”
Three out of four Republicans view George W. Bush favorably in recent national Bloomberg Politics poll. When the poll is including all American, 50 percent view him unfavorably.
The Florida governor said that throughout his campaign travels he has been inquired about his family.
“The anecdotes just accumulate — people saying, ‘How’s you’re brother doing, How’s your father doing?,” said Bush.
When asked if he plans to bring the 43rd president along with him in South Carolina, Jeb said, “That’s my hope.” The former president’s support is strong in the Palmetto state, and some believe it will be him who has the ability to effectively take down Trump.
The former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, Katon Dawson, said, “You gotta know who 43 is to know that you can punch him once, but you won’t punch his ass twice.”