Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush suggested Friday that GOP presidential rival Donald Trump’s behavior on the campaign trail is unbecoming, saying the symbolism of the job demands more decency than the New York billionaire has shown.
Mr. Bush, speaking at the “Faith and Family” presidential forum in South Carolina, said that “public persona of the presidency has power.”
“I think how you lead your life as a president is as important as the five-point plan you have to deal with whatever subject it is, and restoring decency back to the public life,” Mr. Bush said.
“I mean is anybody here worried about the front-running candidate shouting out obscenities in front of children? It’s like what is going on?” he said, sparking applause from the crowd.
Mr. Bush said that he could not imagine his father or brother, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, acting in a similar fashion, saying his brother “walked in there and he thought this is hallowed ground.”
At this week’s rally, Mr. Trump won headlines this week for repeating a supporter who dubbed Sen. Ted Cruz a “p—-y.”
The next day Mr. Trump won the New Hampshire primary by a landslide, and is polling first in South Carolina, which holds its primary on Feb. 20.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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