Brothers in arms: George W. Bush stumps for Jeb in South Carolina

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.— Sixteen years ago, South Carolina saved George W. Bush’s presidential aspirations, and on Monday, he made a triumphant return to the political stage here, hoping to convince Republicans to work the same magic for his brother, Jeb.

In his first political rally since leaving office in 2009 and his first public appearance on behalf of Jeb Bush’s bid for the GOP nomination, George W. Bush pointedly acknowledged the “anger and frustration” that has pushed Republican voters toward frontrunner Donald Trump. But he argued the country needs a president like his brother who can be a “steady” and calm hand in the White House in order to fix the country’s problems — not someone who offers empty “bluster.”

“I understand Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our frustration,” George W. Bush told a crowd of at least 1,000 people at a convention center. “We need someone who can fix the problems that cause our anger and frustration … and that’s Jeb Bush.”

Former President George W. Bush campaigns for his brother Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday in North Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP)

The former president did not mention Trump — or any of his brother’s rivals, Republican or Democrat — by name. But in a 20-minute speech, the elder Bush repeatedly alluded to the business mogul and former reality star whose insurgent candidacy has thrown the GOP race into turmoil, urging voters to choose a candidate who offers more than slogans and who can appeal across party lines in order to win the general election in November.

“All of the sloganeering and all of the talk doesn’t matter if we don’t win,” George W. Bush said.

The former president’s appearance came just days before Saturday’s pivotal South Carolina GOP primary, which could be make or break for Jeb Bush’s struggling presidential bid. After losses in Iowa and New Hampshire, the former Florida governor trails badly in the polls here — well behind Trump, who has a 20-point lead over his closest rival, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. According to many polls, Bush is running in fifth place, behind Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Slideshow: Republican candidates duke it out in South Carolina >>>

But Bush aides hoped to spark a comeback for their boss by bringing in the former president, who remains incredibly popular here seven years after leaving office — particularly with veterans and members of the military, who make up a significant part of the state’s Republican electorate.

It’s a change in strategy for Jeb Bush, who has not always embraced his family legacy on the campaign trail. Since declaring his bid for the GOP nomination, the former Florida governor has struggled to deal with his brother’s complicated political legacy, including his handling of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Last year, Jeb Bush stumbled over questions about whether he would have handled the Iraq war differently — torn between acknowledging the mistakes made by the former president’s administration and staying loyal to his brother. When rivals pounced on that and the idea that yet another Bush might be in the White House, Jeb Bush argued, “I’m my own man.”

More recently, Trump has tried to make George W. Bush an issue in the campaign — arguing at Saturday’s GOP debate that he should have been impeached for his handling of the Iraq War. He has also repeatedly questioned whether George W. Bush kept the country safe, pointing out that “the World Trade Center came down during his reign.”

Republican presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, right, accompanied by his brother former President George W. Bush, left, and George’s wife Laura Bush, takes the stage during a campaign stop on Monday in North Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP)

But with little to lose, Jeb Bush seems willing to accept the political risks of embracing his brother on the campaign trail — especially in South Carolina, which has been central to the political successes of the Bush family. George H.W. Bush won the 1992 GOP primary here on his way to becoming the nation’s 41st president. And in 2000, Republicans here revived George W. Bush’s bid for the presidency, handing him a decisive victory just days after a blowout loss to Arizona Sen. John McCain in New Hampshire.

As he took the stage in North Charleston, Bush, grayer and a little heavier than his last appearance on the campaign trail, was met with thunderous applause and screams as he and his wife, Laura, joined Jeb Bush on the stage. “This is Bush country,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, who introduced the former president, declared.

Until Monday, Bush had pointedly stayed off the political stage. But as soon as he took to the podium, he reverted back to the Dubya of old — charming voters with his folksy one-liners and easy charm. (At one point, he spoke of his presidential “afterlife.” “We’ve become tree farmers,” he said. “It gives me time to practice my stump speech.”)

It was a sharp contrast to Jeb Bush, who often comes across as awkward and stiff on the stump. (There had been some concern in the Bush campaign that an appearance on the stump by the former president, with his natural political talents, could overshadow Jeb.)

But George W. Bush defended his brother’s style, repeatedly emphasizing his quiet and steady leadership as governor of Florida and as a candidate for the White House. Again and again, he spoke of the need to have a president who is “calm” and chooses his words carefully.

“Strength is not empty rhetoric,” the elder Bush said. “It is not bluster, it is not theatrics. Real strength, strength of purpose, comes from integrity and character.”

“In my experience,” the former president added, “the strongest person usually isn’t the loudest one in the room.”

Behind him, Jeb Bush politely applauded.

Former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush, meet with attendees during a campaign stop for his brother Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Monday in North Charleston, S.C. (Photo: Matt Rourke/AP)