TAMPA, Fla. — President George W. Bush didn’t attend Mitt Romney’s Republican convention here this week, but he had a strong defender in his brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Thursday night.
The kind words about the former president didn’t appear in advance remarks of Jeb Bush’s speech, though he hinted he would be speaking about him in TV appearances earlier in the day. When he stepped to the mic, he delivered an addition to his original text that took on President Obama for blaming George W. Bush for the nation’s economic woes.
“Mr. President, it is time to stop blaming your predecessor for your failed economic policies,” Bush said. “You were dealt a tough hand, but your policies have not worked. In the fourth year of your presidency, a real leader would accept responsibility for his actions, and you haven’t done it.”
Jeb Bush had promised to speak about George W. before his speech Thursday. His lines Thursday were similar to statements he made Sunday on “Meet the Press.”
One doesn’t hear much about George W. Bush in Tampa, beyond Jeb’s words Thursday and a short video Wednesday night that honored both Bush presidencies.
Recent polling has shown Americans still blame George W. Bush more than Obama for the state of the economy. A June poll found Bush to be the most unpopular living president.
