Former Florida governor and erstwhile 2016 presidential contender Jeb Bush becomes the third member of the family to publicly announce he won’t support presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump in November, joining the 41st and 43rd Presidents of the United States.
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 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.
One presumes family matriarch Barbara won’t be voting for Trump, either, although it’s conceivable she’ll support Clinton.
The Bushes have the luxury that we pundits have, of being able to take this stand without cost to their future careers. The vast majority of Republican office holders or would-be office-holders will likely rally around Trump, as supporting him in what is quite likely to be a losing bid to Clinton is far less risky than supporting Clinton or even just sitting the contest out. The base despises Clinton and the Establishment has to at least pretend that her presidency would be more disastrous for the country than Trump’s.
