Jeb Bush Makes it Official With #NeverTrump
“In November, I will not vote for Donald Trump”
Friday afternoon, former Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate, Jeb Bush congratulated Donald Trump on becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
Bush went on to explain that while he believes Trump successfully tapped into an undercurrent of anger and dissatisfaction, he will not vote for either Trump or Clinton in the upcoming election. Like many on the #NeverTrump bus, Bush committed to supporting Republican candidates down ballot.
Bush’s entire statement:
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.
And here it is as it appeared on Facebook Friday afternoon:
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Comments
As a Floridian and also someone who is not a Trump fan, I am smart enough to know that a 3rd party vote is a vote for Hillary.
JEB! go away and stay away!
During the imbroglio concerning Trump running as a third Party Candidate, the entire Republican field pledged in writing to support the Republican Party Nominee. Jeb Bush has now demonstrated that his written word means nothing.
By the way, for the more cavil among us, — Trump is supporting the Republican Nominee.
Add another car to the Sore Loser Train.
Trump doesnt need the RINO GOPe votes anyway, as he’ll swing left enough to pick up all the Bernie people and crush Hillary in November.
It’s so huge I’m already bored with how presidential he is.
I’m surprised that “Low Energy Jeb” had the stamina to compose such a lengthy Facebook post!
You, Jeb, and your establishment ilk are the reason that Trump is the nominee. You prove it by sticking your figurative thumb into the eyes of conservatives who, despite not nominating you, have contributed mightily to your success. You’re a shameful excuse for a politician, and that’s a fairly low bar.
I’m a Cruz guy, but will happily vote for Trump. You should reconsider.
For once I agree with Jeb’s sentiments.
Seeing no material difference that I can believe between Hillary and Trump, at this point I do not see a reason to vote for Trump. His supporters over the last few months on LI helped me reach that conclusion.
Here’s a difference between Hitlery and Trump:
National Reciprocity for Concealed Carry–
Understands Concealed Carry As ‘A Right, Not A Privilege’
Opposes ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban–Trump views attempts to ban “assault weapons” as a prime example of the left’s attempt to use language and demagoguery to limit the freedoms of the people. He said:
Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like “assault weapons,” “military-style weapons” and “high capacity magazines” to confuse people. What they’re really talking about are popular semi-automatic rifles and standard magazines that are owned by tens of millions of Americans. Law-abiding people should be allowed to own the firearm of their choice.
Opposes Expansion of Background Checks–Trump believes background checks have failed to live up to the hype surrounding them at the time they were enacted and, therefore, ought not be expanded. He observes that the U.S. has had background checks since 1998, yet they have not prevented numerous high profile shootings and terror attacks against our country and our stateside military personnel. He says we have a situation where criminals get guns when they need them–background system or not–while law-abiding citizens are burdened with going through a check that was supposed to “be instant, accurate and fair,” but isn’t.
Supports ‘Harsh Penalties’ For Gun Crime—Trump said:
Several years ago there was a tremendous program in Richmond, Virginia called Project Exile. It said that if a violent felon uses a gun to commit a crime, you will be prosecuted in federal court and go to prison for five years – no parole or early release. Obama’s former Attorney General, Eric Holder, called that a “cookie cutter” program. That’s ridiculous. I call that program a success. Murders committed with guns in Richmond decreased by over 60% when Project Exile was in place – in the first two years of the program alone, 350 armed felons were taken off the street.
Arm U.S. Troops On Military Bases–Trump strongly opposes the policies that disarm troops and make them sitting ducks on military bases.
if you don’t see a difference between Trump & Shrillery, you’re either not looking, or you need to see your optometrist.
Quick to get personal, I see, which is typical of Trump supporters, who follow his lead on that.
Maybe you should read my comment again, to see where you made your mistake.
I said I see no material difference that I can believe.
Trump says a lot of things, some of them listed or summarized above by Fiftycaltx. The problem with examples like those is that, based on what Trump has said and done in his campaign, I can’t believe any of Trump’s stated positions.
nothing personal about it, just stating a truth so obvious that even Helen Keller could see it.
Trump may do some things i don’t like, or disagree with, but he isn’t inherently evil.
Shrillery is.
pointing out that you refuse to acknowledge the difference isn’t getting “personal”. i’m just pointing out the obvious to the willfully oblivious.
HTH.
and, BTW, i’m not a “Trump supporter”… hell, i live in #Failifornia and we haven’t even had our primary yet.
doesn’t matter who i might have wanted for the GOP candidate, because Trump is it.
it’s now about who wins in November. you can either have him, or Hillary. one candidate is obviously worse than the other, by any rational, ethical standard.
pick one, because those are your options. if you don’t vote for Trump you ARE voting for Hillary.
I agree that Hillary is inherently evil. I’m not sure how to characterize Trump’s character, other than to know it does not appear to be such that I want him to be president. Perhaps his multiple, knee-jerk, bullying personal attacks are not evil, but they are indicative of some deep flaw. As many have said, it is likely that he is a narcissist, just like obama.
If the downsides of the two candidates are close, at this point I am not prepared to vote for who may be the lesser of two evils.
If you believe that was a personal attack – you need to quit posting on adult boards.
I don’t need you to tell me what I need to do.
Poor baby.
I do not see a reason to vote for Trump. His supporters over the last few months on LI helped me reach that conclusion.
Interesting. I read the same stuff here; it was the persistent sophistries of the Cruzers which made me start to suspect that Trump had virtues—and Cruz had liabilities—which were worth examination.
Rick… Maybe a RINO plant?
You see no difference between Clinton and Trump?
Conservative, actually, and not a plant.
For example, I am against raising the minimum wage. How about you?
We already know that Hillary is employing an army of trolls to disrupt pro-Bernie sites. Expect those people to be posting here soon.
We know a lot about Trump trolls on LI.
Conservatives don’t hand the SCOTUS over to an ideological leftist like Hillary Clinton by refusing to vote against her.
Trump says his sister would be a “phenomenal” justice on the Supreme Court. You can look her up.
Trump has since then said that he would publish a list of persons from which list he would appoint Supreme Court judges. Even if Trump did publish such a list, is there any reason to believe him? Trump flip-flopped on the minimum wage. Why wouldn’t he do so regarding a supposed commitment about the Supreme Court?
I think Hillary is despicable. Nevertheless, I have not yet seen any behavior from Trump, nor heard anything from him that I should believe, that suggests he would appoint better Supreme Court justices than would Hillary.
“Trump says his sister would be a “phenomenal” justice on the Supreme Court.”
What did you expect him to do, declare his sister unfit?
He has already said what type justice he would nominate, one in the mold of Scalia/Thomas.
I bet your sister hates you.
You see ‘no material difference’ between Trump and a corrupt, talentless, deranged alcoholic?
Rick, wake up.
I suppose you are right in that Trump says he does not drink.
If you can’t see a material difference between an unaccomplished, incompetent, leftist pathological lying, thieving swine selling out her country like the cheapest of whores, and who raised one lazy, spoiled child, and a spectacularly successful, flamboyant businessman, who raised amazing children, and who is probably just right of center, well…you really need to think things over.
Or else you’re a democrat.
I agree with your characterizations of Hillary: she is detestable. I cannot imagine any circumstance in which I would vote for her.
You must not understand that Trump is also a pathological liar, and you may think that Trump’s most recent position regarding the minimum wage is “just right of center.”
Trump has not yet been in a position to sell out America, but his “America first” theme weakened by his hiring history and his choices of where to have his products made.
The only time I voted for a democrat was when I switched parties to vote against Bobby Kennedy in the June 1968 California primary.
In his campaign, Trump has not demonstrated positive character traits or a set of moral or governing principles that suggest that he would govern any better than would Hillary.
Based on what I have seen and heard, at this point I do not see any reason to vote for Trump.
BUSH’S BURGERS
Today’s Special
Nothing Burger – due to low demand, no ones buying it.
Drink special ; Choka Chola – low energy fruity drink, Open to negotiation.
While I am no Trump fan, one of the things that Trump got hammered for was in the first debate he refused to pledge that he would vote and support the Republican nominee.
Jeb Bush and others said they would.
Bush’s statement today is indictment of his character.
If you stand up and make a pledge,stick to it.
And politicians wonder why people don’t trust them.
If you promise to do something bad, keeping the promise only makes things worse.
If you make a promise to do something, even if it’s bad, breaking your word doesn’t make it better.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Jeb was wrong to make the promise — either because Trump is so awful he shouldn’t have promised to support him *or* because he made it knowing he wouldn’t keep it if Trump were the nominee.
Then Jeb was wrong again to break his word.
Both these things were still wrong, even if it’s true that Jeb is right not to endorse Trump.
ANY promise by the GOPe is worthless the moment it is made. Jeb!’s promise is just that, worthless. Like all the other GOPe promises made.
Most passion Jeb has shown since he hired Perry Como as his campaign manager.
Say what you want about Jeb’s! At least he’s not a fascist. And Hillary is reaching out to his donors.
Don’t know what a fascist is, do you. It’s a “corporatist”. One where the government controls the means of production but picks winners and losers. You know, like Fiska, Soyandra, coal powered “electric” cars, carbon tax schemes, etc. I wonder how many millions the Bush cabal made off fascist deals.
That’s one aspect, and Trump is doubtlessly guilty of it.
“And Hillary is reaching out to his donors.”
LOL, and you’re taking up for the promise breaker. In other words, there is so little difference between jeb! and Hillary, jeb!’s donors will now support hillary.
So she’ll reach her grubby hands out to his donors. Lots of good that’ll do – as we see how it worked wonders for Jeb Bush.
Guilt by association: Bush’s donors tying in with Clinton will help Trump.
Jeb! is a whiny pissant of a RINO sleezbag…
he’s butthurt because it was his turn, damnit, and we rejected him.
STFU and go away, pendejo
Edge o t s
Do you even realize what you’re saying?
Who is Jeb Bush?….ack….(said bill the cat)
Not too cringe-worthy, as such statements go. I’ve never had a really bad impression of any of the Bushes. I just don’t think of them as terribly Presidential. (Except maybe Barbara Sr.)
I’m a little puzzled by this part, though—
Donald Trump … is not a consistent conservative.
True enough. But since Bush isn’t a consistent conservative, either, it’s not clear why Trump’s lack of conservative bona fides should cause Jeb any major disquiet.
Was thinking the same thing. Bush was in a position to be a true conservative with majorities in the house and Senate and he blow it. Even worst, Judges could not be appointed and he did not get the House and Senate to change the rules so Obamacare passes on a technicality. He had 4 year and what did we get – a busted economy and Obama.
Here is a nice picture of who controlled what. You have to go back to the 1920’s to get the same level of control. Looks like the GOP screwed that up too.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Combined–Control_of_the_U.S._House_of_Representatives_-_Control_of_the_U.S._Senate.png
Yup. Dubya, as everyone recalls, was a “compassionate conservative”: that is, a big government conservative in the same mold as Nixon and Eisenhower. Nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want, but he was no Reagan.
I’ve not been a Trump booster (as everyone here knows) but if you are a fan of George H.W., George W., and Jeb, then philosophically you can’t be that opposed to Trump. He’s going to use government in the same way the Bushes did and would.
This isn’t about philosophy, it’s just politics. The GOPe is unhappy and they’re letting Jebbers have a tantrum on their behalf.
Goodbye and good riddance to the entire Bush clan. Maybe they should all move to Mexico. They’d fit in much better down there.
Whether he wins or loses, at least The Donald has driven a stake through the heart of the Bush Dynasty. For that, America owes him a debt of thanks.
They’ll be back.
There is George P. waiting his turn.
There ARE alternatives to that
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCbfMkh940Q
This is exactly why low energy Jeb lost to Trump.
He is a back stabbing politician who won’t support
the party because he did not win.
Please just go away Jeb!
Hey how do you guys feel about Paul Ryan about now?
Get him!
He sucks. He’s Boehner, without the alcohol.
My, my.
Jeb (along with many other purist #NeverTrump folks) is showing indecision.
If Jeb, as a Republican, cannot vote for Trump, then he is signaling that he thinks Hillary is better than Trump. (Not voting for either when you would normally vote for Trump is effectively a half vote for Hillary.)
But, if he truly believes that Hillary is better than Trump, then he should, in conscience, vote for Hillary.
Hence, Jeb is showing indecision. If this is an example of Jeb’s thinking process and action process, I’m glad he suspended his campaign.
I have been in the corporate world for many decades. If my boss at work were this wishy-washy, I’d be looking for another boss and perhaps another company. I wouldn’t be confident that such a boss would stand up for me in performance/promotion meetings, nor would I be confident that such a boss would make the right decisions for my company. If I were in the military world, I would likely feel even more strongly about this obvious hesitancy in a superior.
Let your actions boldly reflect your beliefs.
(Come to think of it, I believe Trump used Jeb’s tentativeness on Jeb’s position regarding GWB’s Iran strategy. Trump went around saying it took Jeb 5 days to come up with a consistent position. I didn’t check the veracity of Trump’s claim, but the talking point was effective.)
I’d have more respect for Jeb if he simply and directly supported Hillary.
Indeed, I’d have still more respect if Jeb simply said, as Reagan did, that his party has left him, that he can longer agree with the beliefs of the people who make up the Republican party, and that he now identifies with some other party (Independent, Democrat, Libertarian, Conservatarian, Green, or whatever).
Depending on what happens in the coming months, the Bushs will be gone virtually completely or they will be stronger then ever. Another reason to support Trump.
( Aside: It is not the biggest. )
One thing that Trump has already accomplished is to throw the Bushes, as least temporarily, on the ashcan of history. I think it is up to us though to put a stake through their hearts. ( Especially Babs who I suspect was the biggest driving force ion the #neverTrump campaign. )
Our old pall Lindsey Graham will not support him either.
Here is Trumps reply to him.
I fully understand why Lindsey Graham cannot support me. If I got beaten as badly as I beat him, and all the other candidates he endorsed, I would not be able to give my support either. Every time I see Lindsey Graham spew hate during interviews I ask why the media never questions how I single-handedly destroyed his hapless run for President. As a candidate who did not receive 1% in his own state – compared to my victory at nearly 40% with many others in the race – he has zero credibility. He was a poor representative and an embarrassment to the great people of South Carolina. Judging by the incompetent way he ran his campaign, it is easy to see why his military strategies have failed so badly — we can’t even beat ISIS!
While I will unify the party, Lindsey Graham has shown himself to be beyond rehabilitation. And like the voters who rejected him, so will I!
OTOH, rumor has it that Rand Paul is endorsing Trump.
A bit of a surprise there. I would have supported him, but for his isolationist policies. I even in general agree with them, but with the mess Obama has made: I think for now we need a more interventionist president.
MY apologies. The quote was meant toi be in italics, not italics and bold. Must have messed up the closing bold. Too bad the site does not have a way of fixing such mistakes.
Well, considering that Trump has claimed that Jeb’s brother 1. Knew that 9/11 was going to happen and did nothing about it, and 2. Lied to get us into Iraq (and should have been impeached for it) I really can’t say I’m surprised.
I’m pretty sure number two happened.
The best news about the GOP convention is that neither Bush nor Mittens Romney will be attending.
Two less losers for the democRat media to exploit on national tv.
Good for you, jebbie.
So, the true nature of Jeb Bush comes to light. Here is a card carrying member of the GOPe who refuses to support the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee who was ELECTED to that position by the Rank and File membership of the Party. What elitist hubris. And, look for a significant number of other elitist Republican snobs to thumb their noses at the Rank and File membership, just as they have for the last 20 years. Is anyone STILL unclear as exactly WHY Trump was elected to this position?
Well Bob Dole just came out and endorsed Trump. So there’s that anyway.
😀
Folks who want to oppose Trump, even advocate Republicans not vote for him, don’t understand what the largest difference between President Trump and President Hillary. This is it, in a nutshell: like Obama, Clinton will play the “woman card” any time a genuine basis to impeach her or otherwise truly and effectively oppose her arises, just as Obama did with the race card. Trump has none of those “cards” and so must by force of circumstances compromise and work with the Congressional GOP caucus to pass legislation. Trump and the eGOP should work together with every grass root GOP organization in the nation to elect as many GOP Representatives and Senators as possible to keep control of Congress. No matter who, no matter how distasteful or unlikeable they may be to each other, every faction of the GOP must work together in the general election toward two goals: elect and re-elect as many Republicans to Congress as possible and elect Trump as President. It doesn’t matter if the folks elected to Congress don’t like Trump or vice versa. In fact, that is a feature, not a bug because then he knows they will hammer him if he pushes too hard. It does matter than Congress can successfully oppose Trump, but not Clinton! Trump doesn’t have a “race card” or “woman card” or any of that crap and so will either compromise with a GOP-controlled Congress or face impeachment. No, not on everything, but on the big items: Executive Orders, repeal of ObamaCare, passing a budget that won’t kill the rest of the economy, and cutting out agencies and cabinet departments that are both unconstitutional (Education and Energy come to mind as first on that list). If we don’t do this, Hillary will win and the Dems may very well regain control of Congress. Yes, it stinks all around. So what? Put on your big girl and big boy pants and act like adults. Keep your eye on the ball, which is stopping the destruction of our Republic and our society. You all and each can cry in your beer, after the election and we have regained the White House and kept the Congress.
Your point about impeachment seems good to me.
I see I omitted a part of a sentence. The sentence ought to read, “…agencies and cabinet departments that are both unconstitutional .. and money wasters…”, as I left out the second part after writing “both”.
So much for his pledge to support the GOP candidate. Jeb! undoubted though he was going to force Trump to support his (Jeb!s) candidacy but he doesn’t believe in turn about. We missed a bullet on this one folks.