Bill Clinton Defends George W. Bush’s Decision Not to Endorse in 2024 Presidential Election

Former President Bill Clinton has come to the defense of his Republican successor, George W. Bush, regarding Bush’s decision not to endorse either candidate in the 2024 presidential election. In an interview with CNN, Clinton praised Bush for his stance, highlighting that Bush has spoken out on important issues such as immigration and has chosen not to publicly endorse either GOP nominee Donald Trump or Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

In September, Bush’s office announced that he would not endorse Trump for a third consecutive election cycle, nor would he support Harris. Clinton, who has endorsed Harris and has been campaigning on her behalf since July, appreciated Bush’s decision, noting that it reflects a different dynamic when former presidents are no longer in active political life. Clinton emphasized that Bush’s actions are consistent with his long-standing commitment to the Republican Party and his desire not to alienate it.

Bush is the only living former president who has refrained from publicly supporting either candidate in the 2024 election. Despite this, his daughter Barbara Bush has voiced her support for the Harris-Walz campaign and has been actively canvassing for them. Additionally, nearly 240 former staffers of Bush, as well as those of Mitt Romney and the late John McCain, have endorsed Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Clinton also shared that Bush has been quietly working to maintain GOP control in the Senate and has expressed support for Democratic Texas Senate hopeful Colin Allred, who is running against incumbent Ted Cruz. This nuanced approach by Bush underscores his continued engagement in politics, albeit in a more subdued manner).