George H.W. Bush endorses Romney

March 30, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES

In a further closing of Republican ranks, former President George H.W. Bush formally endorsed — or, rather, re-endorsed — Mitt Romney on Thursday and said it was “time for the party to get behind” the former Massachusetts governor.

Appearing with Romney and former first lady Barbara Bush at his office in Houston, the nation’s 41st president alluded to the 1970s country music hit “The Gambler,” by Kenny Rogers, mangling the lyrics somewhat. “I do think it’s time for the party to get behind Gov. Romney,” Bush said. “Kenny Rogers sang, ‘It’s time when to hold ’em and time when to fold ’em.’”

Praising Romney’s rivals — who went unnamed — Bush said, “Some of ’em waged a very good fight.” But, he went on, the couple had known Romney for “a very long time” and “we’re so convinced ... that he’s the man to do this job and get on and win the presidency.”

Romney and the Bushes sat together in a set of matching brown leather chairs — imported from the White House, the former president said. He thanked the couple and restated his familiar criticisms of President Barack Obama.

“I think we’re on a very dangerous path,” Romney said, “and I think it’s important for us to select a nominee and get on with a campaign that will focus on two very different visions for America.”

Bush’s backing of the Republican front-runner was no surprise. The two met at Bush’s Texas home in December, not long after the elder Bush told CNN that Romney was a “reasonable guy, a conservative fellow” and that he would make a “very good president.” Bush later told the Houston Chronicle that he thought Romney was “the best choice for us.”

The next vote is Tuesday, when Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia have primaries.