washington former president george w. bush every intention stick self-imposed exile politics find phone keep ring appeal republican u.s. senate candidates help friends say result bush embark rescue mission try preserve republicans narrow senate majority year many party figure fear presumptive nominee donald trump drag defeat nov. elections republicans control 54 seat 100-member senate think one-off temporary thing helpful say dana perino bush white house press secretary condoleezza rice bush secretary state political science professor stanford university also raise money republican candidates friday rule speculation might draft trump vice presidential run mate dr rice repeatedly say past cycle well one interest vice president happy stanford plan stay say rice chief staff georgia godfrey friends say bush initially reluctant get involve feel time limelight pass say surprise appeal receive get back politics seven years eight-year white house run end far bush headline fund-raise events senator john mccain arizona senator kelly ayotte new hampshire plan help senators rob portman ohio ron johnson wisconsin roy blunt missouri bush fan trump certain extent trump favor spite continue antagonism toward bush family bellicose new york businessman typically party nominee chief fund-raiser election years trump fund-raise effort lag meanwhile trump continue take swipe bush family particularly jeb bush former florida governor defeat trump republican presidential primary race wednesday greensboro north carolina trump complain jeb decision honor pledge make last year support republican presidential nominee whoever sign pledge endorse trump say like brother jeb bush help raise money republican congressional candidates bush family deep love party care future light trump capacity damage brand think part parcel preserve party say jeb bush spokeswoman kristy campbell george w. bush end exile help republicans raise money