HOUSTON — Former President George H.W. Bush is backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
“I think Romney is the best choice for us,” the former president told the Houston Chronicle. “I like Perry, but he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere; he’s not surging forward.”
Bush said he supported the former Massachusetts governor because of his stability, experience and principles.
“He’s a fine person,” Bush said. “I just think he’s mature and reasonable — not a bomb-thrower.”
A spokesman for Bush said that while his comments in the article did not constitute an official endorsement, the former president’s thoughts “stand as they are written.”
Speaking with reporters in Berlin, N.H., Thursday, Romney confirmed that the two had spoken by phone.
“I’m very encouraged by the support of President Bush for my campaign,” he said. “I thanked him for his support, his leadership.”
“I must admit that this is much more important to me personally than politically. He’s a real hero to me,” he added.
Politico reported that although there would be no press conference forthcoming, Bush’s words were indeed meant to signal his support for Romney’s campaign.
Bush and Romney met at the former president’s Houston home earlier this month, a meeting described by Bush’s spokesman as a “courtesy drop-by.”
On Dec. 6, Romney secured the backing of Bush’s Vice President Dan Quayle in an event in Arizona. Quayle called Romney “our best hope for the future” and a “conservative’s conservative.”