ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR:
Good evening. I'm Erin Burnett. OUTFRONT tonight, the breaking news. George W. Bush on the attack speaking out for the first time at a campaign rally tonight trying to turn the tide for his brother Jeb. Just moments ago, taking the stage in North Charleston, South Carolina praising Jeb's leadership and taking a not so subtle swipe at his chief rival, Donald Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FMR. PRES. GEORGE W. BUSH (R), UNITED STATES:
Strength is not empty rhetoric. It is not bluster. It is not theatrics. Real strength, strength of purpose, comes from integrity and character. And in my experience, the strongest person usually isn't the loudest one in the room.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT:
Athena Jones is OUTFRONT with the Bush campaign in North Charleston tonight. And Athena, obviously we have not seen and talk, right? And one reason add that is: no speeches, no appearances. Tonight, a very, very big development. What was the crowd's reaction to George W. Bush?
ATHENA JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT:
Erin, well, the crowd loved it. First of all, this is a much bigger crowd than we're used to seeing at a typical Jeb Bush event and had much more of a rally like feel that we're used to seeing at a Jeb Bush event. And that's because of George W. Bush who spoke for about 25 minutes. Really had the crowd shouting and laughing. At one point they chanted we miss you. Several people in the crowd said that, we miss you. And that sound you just played, that sound bite you just played of him, making not so veiled reference to Donald Trump but that isn't the only time he made such a reference. Of course, he delivered his pitch for his brother that he has a steady hand and the skills to be a commander-in-chief but he also said, he knows that the American people are angry. But we don't want someone in the Oval Office who will mirror and inflame our frustration. One of the point he made that that is a little broader than Trump that touched on the anti-immigration language we've heard from some in the Republican Party, he praised Nikki Haley -- Governor Nikki Haley for her work here, for her leadership in South Carolina. This is someone who met with earlier today. And he said he was go glad that America welcomed her parents when they emigrated here in 1969. So, in that 25 minute speech, George W. Bush did a lot -- covered a lot of ground. Part of it pitching his brother, selling his brother, and part of it sending a message to some other members of the Republican Party who are vying for this nomination -- Erin.
BURNETT:
All right. Athena, thank you very much.
And OUTFRONT now, Matt Schlapp, he served as political director for George W. Bush. David Gergen who served as presidential advisor for four presidents including Reagan and Clinton. And Dana Bash, our chief political correspondent as well as Jamie Gangel, our special correspondent who knows the Bush family better than anyone, has interviewed all of them many many times.
All right. David, let me start with you. George W. Bush took a few swipes at Donald Trump. He didn't mention him by name, but it was very clear what he was saying. Here's another one.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
G.W. BUSH:
Jeb is a man of humble, deep, and genuine faith, faith that reveals itself through good works. Not loud words.
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
I think you should look for someone whose humility helps him understand what he doesn't know and surrounds himself with people who do know what he doesn't know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT:
Is that effective, David Gergen?
DAVID GERGEN, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER:
I think it is. He made a very strong speech back to back. They looked terrific. And, you know, they made their points against Trump. I think this was really more positive about Jeb and what his virtues are as a candidate. I think the big, big question coming out of this Erin is very late. He's got to finish third in South Carolina. Right now, he's not running third. And the question is, can George W. along with the mom especially George W. now give a jolt to the Bush campaign, get him up to third and make him much more competitive? If he does that, it's been a huge success tonight.
