Jeb Bush earns endorsement from Bob Dole

Former Florida Gov. Jeb bush might be struggling in the polls, but he earned a key endorsement today. Former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, who was once a Republican presidential candidate himself, said he backs Bush’s run for the Oval Office.

In a statement released by the Bush campaign, Dole said that he believes Bush is the “most qualified” of all the candidates running for the 2016 Republican nomination.

“Jeb has the proven leadership skills and executive experience needed to fix the problems facing our country – from the anemic economy to America’s weakened standing among world leaders,” Dole said. “Jeb’s conservative reform agenda and forward looking vision on issues including 4 percent economic growth, defeating ISIS and taking care of our veterans are in stark contrast to Hillary Clinton’s strategy to continue the failed policies of the present Administration.”

Dole, 92, will also serve as Bush’s National Veterans’ Chairman.

“I am honored to have Senator Bob Dole’s support and I am thankful for his service to our country and our veterans,” Bush added, saying that he is “thankful” for Dole’s advice.

Dole does have a long history with the Bush family, but not always on the same side. NBC News notes that Dole ran against President George H.W. Bush in 1980 and 1988. In 1996, he was finally nominated by the Republicans for President, although he lost the general election to President Bill Clinton.

Dole, a World War II veteran, also co-chaired President George W. Bush’s President's Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors.

It will be interesting to see if Dole’s endorsement of Bush helps him in any way. Some might see it as further cornering Bush as the “establishment candidate” in opposition to Sen. Marco Rubio, who has the support of younger Republicans. Donald Trump and Ben Carson, neither of whom have held elective office, are also far ahead of Bush in the polls.