The fact that former President George H.W. Bush has endorsed GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney should come as no surprise because both represent the status quo, Jamelle Bouie writes in a blog entry at American Prospect. What would be surprising is an endorsement from the younger Bush, who remains unpopular.
… The right-wing is ascendant in GOP politics, and Romney already has the support of Republicans from the traditional establishment. If anything, Bush’s endorsement reinforces the view that Romney is a party insider, even as he continues to pander to the conservative base.
What would be interesting is an endosement from George W. Bush, who has been silent since leaving office nearly three years ago. Although the younger Bush has seen an uptick in his approval ratings since leaving office (which happens for all presidents), he is still an unpopular figure among all Americans, including the Republicans who seek to continue his legacy in 2013. An endorsement from Dubya would be among the worst things to happen to a Republican presidential candidate, which is why it won’t happen.
Read Jamelle Bouie's entire blog entry at the American Prospect.