Jeb Bush on Endorsing Trump: Yeah, No.

Well, anyone who thought that everyone would fall right in line behind Trump after he won the nomination was pretty much dead wrong. Thus far the names that have come out and said explicitly that they would not endorse Trump, or that they were not willing to endorse Trump yet, have run roughly equal to those who have not – including both former Bush presidents, Paul Ryan, and others.

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So much for all the awesome party unity Trump promised us that we were gonna have. Makes you wonder what else Trump has been unduly optimistic about… such as, maybe, his chances against Hillary? Jeb Bush’s full statement below:

I congratulate Donald Trump on securing his place as the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee. There is no doubt that he successfully tapped into the deep sense of anger and frustration so many Americans around the country rightfully feel today.

The tremendous anger of the current U.S. electorate – whether Republican, Democrat or independent – is a result of people fearful about the future, concerned with the direction of our country and tremendously frustrated by the abject failure and inability of leaders in Washington, D.C. to make anything better.

American voters have made it clear that Washington is broken, but I’m not optimistic that either of the leading candidates for President will put us on a better course.

The American Presidency is an office that goes beyond just politics. It requires of its occupant great fortitude and humility and the temperament and strong character to deal with the unexpected challenges that will inevitably impact our nation in the next four years.

Donald Trump has not demonstrated that temperament or strength of character. He has not displayed a respect for the Constitution. And, he is not a consistent conservative. These are all reasons why I cannot support his candidacy.

Hillary Clinton has proven to be an untrustworthy liberal politician who, if elected, would present a third term of the disastrous foreign and economic policy agenda of Barack Obama.

In November, I will not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, but I will support principled conservatives at the state and federal levels, just as I have done my entire life. For Republicans, there is no greater priority than ensuring we keep control of both chambers of Congress. I look forward to working hard for great conservatives in the Senate and House in the coming months.

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For whatever Jeb Bush’s failings, he understood the menace of Trump from day one, and unlike some others, that hasn’t been changed.

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