A meeting between two members of American political dynasties caused a campaign tremor Monday night when the daughter of Robert Kennedy said that former President George H.W. Bush intends to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton in November.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who is also the former Lt. Gov. of Maryland, posted a picture of herself with the former president on her Facebook page Monday -- along with the caption proclaiming that he told her he will cast his vote for Clinton. Kennedy Townsend has confirmed that account to NBC News.
The former president's spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement only that "the vote President Bush will cast as a private citizen in some 50 days will be just that: a private vote cast in some 50 days. He is not commenting on the presidential race in the interim.”
While it appears that Bush has no plans to publicly endorse, he does share a personal history with the Clintons.
The Bush's and the Clinton's relationship have defied political lines. With three former presidents spanning the families, a post-presidency life has led to a closeness between them.
Even after blocking the first President Bush’s attempt at re-election in 1992, President Bill Clinton and the elder Bush developed a close relationship out of office, at times traveling the world together on humanitarian missions. That has trickled down to President George W. Bush, who also has an affinity for Clinton. The two former presidents are the same age and have children and grandchildren of similar ages as well.
The 43rd president has joked that Clinton is his “brother by another mother.” And First Lady Barbara Bush told C-SPAN in 2014, “I love Bill Clinton.”
And despite being members of the same party, the Bush family has shown their dissatisfaction with Donald Trump.
Trump soundly defeated Jeb Bush in the Republican primary after lobbing personal insults against him, calling him “low energy” and criticizing his wife, Columba.
None of the three Bushes attended the Republican convention, breaking with tradition for the party's nominee.
Former President George W. Bush has been on the campaign trail but not for Trump. Instead he’s been campaigning on behalf of Republican Senate candidates.
