How Jeb Bush's endorsement helps Romney

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Analysis; Updated 1:15 p.m. ET

It goes without saying, but if Mitt Romney is going to close the door on this contest, he's going to need help from people like Jeb Bush, Haley Barbour and Mitch Daniels. There aren't many wise men left in either party, but those three are the closest thing we have to modern day wise men who can weigh in and generate a few news cycles of coverage. (Sarah Palin generates coverage, but of a different sort.)

Bush's endorsement is not exactly a ringing endorsement of the man Mitt Romney -- "it's time to close ranks" is less powerful than "we love Mitt" -- but it comes at just the right time.

Why might it help? Romney doesn't lack for establishment support so you could argue that it won't help much. If it does, it won't be because Jeb Bush convinces people to suddenly start liking Mitt Romney. But it will help people accept the idea that the ugly fight has gone on long enough, and it's only hurting the inevitable nominee to keep calling him a liar and a person without a core. 

...Plus we should see a reduction of at least 15 percent in stories about how Jeb Bush is going to be the white knight at the 2012 convention who will swoop in and take the nomination.

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[DebbieCorona]

It's good for Romney but great for Jeb. Jeb will be Romney running mate. Jeb will run the Romney Presidency like Cheney did GWB and in 2016 Jeb will run for President.

[watkinsjr2000]

I see Jeb Bush's endorsement of Mitt Romney as one more good reason not to vote for him.

[starving1968-3]

ANYTHING having to do with the name "Bush" is a death knell in my book.

[markag55]

I've said it earlier; I'll repeat myself now: Jeb Bush has nothing to lose backing Romney. He's no longer the governor of Florida; he's not in any politically elected nor appointed position. Even though it's doubtful that Romney will win the Presidency (read about the LDS Church and if you don't think that evangelical Christians or policially motivated Democratic PAC's will bring some, if not all, of their very strange beliefs to the fore), it would benefit Jeb Bush to be his running mate.

That would give him a head-start for the 2016 Presidential election. Again, he comes from a very political family, both from his father's side as well as his mother's side (she is the great-great-great, etc. niece, or grand-daughter of whatever, of President Franklin Pierce). They will do nothing to stop the dynasty that they've begun. You think the Kennedy's had a "dynasty?" Forget it. The Bush dynasty began in the early 1800's; it's just taken them a bit longer to continue that dynasty into the 21st century. Beware!

[retiredgustav]

In 2016 the bush name will still be mud. Besides Bush is too liberal for the republican party.

[sharkboy234]

Jeb Bush is helping Mitt Romney win the nomination and this could be over if he gets LA state this could be over! Herman Cain will endorse Romney. Everybody loves Romney!

[shurch4truth]

...there's only one thing you have to remember - especially if your name is perish_1 - the republicans brought the US to the brink of economic collapse.

are you going to let them do it again?

They take from the middle class and give to the poor.

But Why!?!? because that's where their money for political campaigns comes from.

[retiredgustav]

And bush vetoed everything for the first time.

[manfromutopia]

Guess I will have to pull the chain on this floater and vote Obama..

[shurch4truth]

...don't forget who brought us to the brink of economic collapse, the republicans.

...don't forget how they did it, by allowing the rich to get richer and the middle class to loose status..

guess what, they want to do it again

Why? because the rich give them money for their campaigns.

are you going to let the do it to you again?

[mrsdualcitz]

WHO GOT BIN LADEN!????Not bush,too busy starting a war of choice!

[retiredgustav]

mrsdualcitz... You need to rephrase that question so that perish can understand it. You should have asked "Who gave the order to get Bin Laden"?

[shurch4truth]

do yourself a favor and constantly remind yourself who put the U.S. at the brink of a depression when it lead us to the great recession - the republicans.

do yourself a favor, don't let them do it to you again.

[retiredgustav]

perish_I ... LBJ's Great Society and the union paid for my apprenticship 40+ years ago. It got me out of poverty and into the middle class.

[rc00213]

Romney - The liberals' favorite GOP Candidate. Don't vote for Romney. Please tell all your friends to vote, we need a big turnout.
These are a few reasons why Romney is considered liberal:

1) Romney created RomneyCare which ObamaCare is based on. Romney said he would repeal ObamaCare. Why would he if he supports RomneyCare, he is not telling the truth.

2) Most decisions Romney made as Govenor was liberal, not conservative. So, what make you think he will be conservative all of a sudden?

3) Romney lost to McCain by a landslide last GOP Primary, and McCain lost to Obama by a landslide. So, how is Romney going to win this time?

4) When Obama wishes Romney well in the election and name calls and villianizes the other candidates, beware!

5) Have you noticed the mass press and critics have shredded apart every GOP candidate except Romney? That is because they know Romney fits their agenda.

Please, if you love the USA, vote for anyone but Romney.