- The Washington Times - Thursday, February 18, 2016

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said he would have loved to win the support of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — who endorsed Sen. Marco Rubio for president Wednesday — but pointed to the 2012 GOP primary in the state as evidence that endorsements don’t always matter.

Mr. Bush said he “absolutely” would have loved to get the endorsement, which came just days ahead of Saturday’s Republican presidential primary in South Carolina.

“If it’s meaningful, having [a] popular governor endorse you is the best you could get, so kudos to Marco for garnering that endorsement,” he said on Fox News’ “The Kelly File” Wednesday evening.

“But it may not matter, because endorsements sometimes don’t,” he said. “Governor Haley endorsed Mitt Romney last time, and he came into the state with a big lead and Newt Gingrich won by 20.”

“It’s a volatile time, and I’m focused on telling people that I have a steady hand, that I have the ability to lead, that I have a proven record and I have ideas to lift [them] up, and I have the support of people that understand that we need a commander-in-chief that is capable of leading this country and … showing the support to the armed forces,” Mr. Bush said.

• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.

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