Free Republic

Former president George H. W. Bush offered an informal endorsement of Mitt Romney in remarks published Thursday, saying that Mr. Romney “is the best choice for us.” The former president told reporters for The Houston Chronicle that he supported Mr. Romney because of his “stability, experience, principles. He’s a fine person,” Mr. Bush, 87, said. “I just think he’s mature and reasonable – not a bomb-thrower.” The paper reported the comments, made this week, on its Web site Thursday afternoon. A spokesman for Mr. Bush confirmed the accuracy of the comments and said they fully reflect the views of the...

George W. Bush-era energy policy wonks are finding a new home with Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor can count on support from a who’s who of former Bush officials willing to raise money, brainstorm policy ideas and generally help spread the word among the ranks of like-minded GOP energy experts. Already on board the Romney train are Jim Connaughton, who ran Bush’s White House Council on Environmental Quality for all eight years; former Assistant Energy Secretary Andy Karsner; former EPA air chief Jeff Holmstead; and former EPA congressional affairs liaison Edward Krenik. The former Bush officials all told POLITICO...

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) denounced the Bush family as "blue bloods" in an interview posted Wednesday and remarked that a mentality like theirs helped to cause the economic downturn. Her comment came in response to a statement made by former first lady Barbara Bush during an interview with CNN's Larry King earlier this week. Asked for her take on Palin, Bush told King: "I think she's very happy in Alaska, and I hope she'll stay there." Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham followed up with Palin, asking if she thought Bush's comment had been planned ahead of time. Palin...