Jason Williams

The Cincinnati Enquirer

CINCINNATI — George W. Bush didn't mention Donald Trump by name while speaking at a private event in Cincinnati on Tuesday, but the former president made clear his concerns about the Republican presidential nominee.

"He's fearful of the 'isms,' " said Greg Hartmann, the former Hamilton County commissioner who attended the fundraiser for Republican Senator Rob Portman.

Bush specifically mentioned "isolationism," "nativism" and "protectionism," according to multiple sources in attendance. Trump has promoted those "isms" during his campaign – ending some of America's foreign partnerships ("isolationism"), keeping Muslim immigrants out of the U.S. to protect citizens ("nativism") and eliminating some foreign trade deals ("protectionism").

Hartmann and other business and political leaders who were in the crowd of over 300 shared few additional details about Bush's speech.

"He has intentionally not criticized President Obama, because he respects the office of the presidency," said Hartmann, who ran Bush's 2004 campaign in Hamilton County. "He walked a fine line on Trump."

Trump campaign seeks to get back on track

It was a rare politics-related appearance for Bush, who has kept a low profile since leaving the White House in 2009. But he's jumped back into politics in recent months because he fears Trump at the top of the ticket could cost the GOP control of the Senate. Bush recently has headlined fundraisers for at least three other senators.

Portman is among a small group of establishment Republicans who have endorsed Trump.

Bush also headlined a fundraiser for Portman in Cleveland on Tuesday. Between the Cincinnati and Cleveland events, Bush helped raise $1 million for the Terrace Park resident, Portman's campaign told The Enquirer. Portman worked in the Bush administration as a top trade adviser and then budget director. Portman got his start in Washington working for President George H.W. Bush's administration in the late 1980s.

Because George W. Bush and Portman have known each other for so long, Hartmann said, "I would describe the event as being less about politics and more personal."

Bush talked about taking up a new hobby: painting. He's combined the new hobby with his passion for helping soldiers who have been injured at war and is painting a picture of military veterans. The plan is for the painting to be hung on a wall in the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas.

He also is an avid mountain biker, and Bush had a bruise on his face Tuesday from a recent cycling accident.

"He said he wore some of Laura’s makeup to cover it up," Hartmann said, chuckling, referring to Bush's wife.