2020 election: Hundreds of staffers for Bush, McCain and Romney back Biden in remarkable GOP rejection of Trump
Hundreds of former aides to the last three GOP presidential nominees before Donald Trump took the party's mantle are rejecting his campaign and voting for the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, this fall.
On Thursday, more than 230 former officials from the George W Bush administration — including some from Cabinet-level positions — publicly endorsed Mr Biden. Ex-campaign staffers for the late Senator John McCain and Senator Mitt Romney, the 2008 and 2012 GOP presidential nominees, respectively, have also thrown their public support behind the former Democratic vice president.
Mr Bush's Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman were among Mr Biden's endorsers from the 43rd president's camp.
The Bush staffers indicated Mr Trump's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as Mr Biden's superior competence and character informed their decision to go public with their endorsements.
“While we all may have our differences of opinion on specific policy matters with the Democratic Party, we firmly believe that Joe Biden can bring us together to help heal the divisions in our country and find solutions to our problems,” said former senior Bush aide Suzy DeFrancis.
“Donald Trump has failed to keep Americans safe during this pandemic, but Joe Biden will listen to our scientists and doctors when making life or death decisions. With lives and livelihoods at stake, our nation needs a leader with the experience, competence and character of Joe Biden,” Ms DeFrancis said.
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