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A4 U.S. NEWS
Thursday 13 sepTember 2018

Bush boosting Republicans in places where Trump isn’t strong

By LAURIE KELLMAN and A former CIA agent, Hurd
GARY FINEOUT criticized Trump in a New
Associated Press York Times op-ed in July af-
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — ter the president’s deferen-
Former President George tial news conference with
W. Bush is quietly helping Russian President Vladimir
boost Republican candi- Putin after their meeting in
dates in places where Pres- Helsinki. Trump, Hurd wrote,
ident Donald Trump has was guilty of a “failure to
struggled. In so doing, the defend the United States
former two-term president intelligence community’s
is raising his profile, ever so unanimous conclusions”
slightly, in the national poli- that Russia meddled in the
tics he eschewed for years. 2016 election.
On Wednesday, Bush held “His standing idle on the
an event in Fort Worth, Tex- world stage while a Rus-
as, for Republican Rep. Will sian dictator spouted lies
Hurd in a congressional dis- confused many but should
trict Trump lost in 2016. On concern all Americans,”
Friday, Bush is set to appear Hurd wrote. “By playing into
in Florida, which Trump nar- Vladimir Putin’s hands, the
rowly carried in 2016, on leader of the free world ac-
behalf of Gov. Rick Scott in tively participated in a Rus-
the state’s expensive Sen- sian disinformation cam-
ate race. paign that legitimized Rus-
Former Florida Gov. Jeb sian denial and weakened
Bush, who will also attend In this June 23, 2017 file photo, former President George W. Bush speaks during “Stand-To,” a the credibility of the United
the Scott event, said in an summit held by the George W. Bush Institute focused on veteran transition, in Washington. States to both our friends
email that his brother “is Associated Press and foes abroad.”
helping Senate candidates looms large over the elec- spokesman for the House speeches, but collectively Trump urged Scott to run
across the country.” tions. He has pledged to Republicans’ campaign the ceremony was seen as against Nelson, but Scott
These events are a focal campaign as many days committee. “His support of a rebuke by official Wash- has publicly kept his dis-
part of Bush’s re-emer- as possible to help Repub- accomplished members ington of his divisive ap- tance from the president.
gence in national politics licans defend their ma- like Will Hurd are critical to proach to the presidency. In April, Scott skipped a
ahead before the Nov. 6 jorities, including in Texas, our effort.” “John’s voice will always Trump discussion of the tax-
election that will help de- where Republican Sen. Ted The GOP chairman in Flor- come as a whisper over cut package in South Flori-
termine control of Con- Cruz is defending his seat ida, Blaise Ingoglia, said our shoulder: We are better da, heading out of state to
gress. against a strong challenge Bush will be a “plus” for than this. America is better raise money for his Senate
Another former president, from Democratic Rep. Beto Scott’s bid to defeat the than this,” Bush said from campaign instead.
Barack Obama, also has O’Rourke. Democratic incumbent, Bill the pulpit of Washington In late July, Scott traveled
come off the political side- The president has dem- Nelson. National Cathedral. on Air Force One with the
lines for the upcoming mid- onstrated that with one “There are still plenty of The Bush family has long president when he visited
terms. Tweet, he can sway the for- people in the state of Flor- had a complicated rela- Florida.
Both parties have much tunes of Republicans who ida who love and admire tionship with Trump. But the governor skipped
at stake. Democrats want dare cross him. That puts President Bush,” Ingoglia During the 2016 Republican Trump’s campaign rally
to capitalize on Trump un- Republican candidates in said. presidential nomination, held in Tampa, opting in-
popularity and gain the 23 places where voters don’t It’s not Bush’s first move Trump said Jeb Bush was stead to hold a fundraiser
seats they need to regain love Trump in sticky posi- back toward national poli- “low energy” and argued in nearby Clearwater.
a majority in the House and tions. tics. that George W. Bush had The governor split with
launch investigations of the So Bush is stepping in, offi- Bush re-emerged with a failed to keep the nation Trump over the administra-
administration and, poten- cials in Washington, Florida message that echoed with safe after the attacks of tion’s policy of separating
tially, impeachment hear- and Texas said. Doing so politics at the Sept. 1 fu- Sept. 11, 2001. Trump didn’t families at the border but
ings. could help with voters such neral of Arizona Sen. John attend the funeral this year did not sharply criticize the
Republicans are increas- as independents and wom- McCain in Washington. of Barbara Bush, the wife president. Instead, he sent
ingly concerned about en who want Congress to The late senator had asked and mother of former presi- a letter to federal authori-
their ability to fend off Dem- stay in Republican hands. Bush and Obama to give dents. First lady Melania ties calling for an immedi-
ocrats aiming to retake the “We’re beyond grateful eulogies. Trump attended. ate end to the policy and
Senate and win complete that President Bush is help- Trump wasn’t invited to the Both Hurd and Scott have demanded that state offi-
control of Congress. ing in the fight to keep the service and his name was tried to distance them- cials be told about children
The presence of Trump House,” said Matt Gorman, rarely mentioned in the selves from Trump. brought into Florida.q