Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush warned Mitt Romney to "stay above the fray" in what he predicts will be “most negative campaign in modern times.”
Bush, who endorsed Romney late last month, said he believed that voters would respond better to a hopeful message.
"I think Mitt needs to stay above the fray a bit, and to offer a hopeful message that can lift people's spirits up," Bush told Newsmax.
The former governor — who was frequently mentioned as a potential dark-horse candidate for the GOP nomination if Romney failed to sew up the race — said Romney needed to provide a positive outlook after a bruising primary campaign.
"After the end of this four or five months of really negative campaigning, I think people are going to be motivated by a more positive message," Bush said.
The remarks came just a day after Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, another Romney supporter, warned the presumptive Republican nominee he needed to improve the tone of his campaign.
"Spend the precious time and dollars explaining what's at stake and a constructive program to make life better," Daniels told The Indianapolis Star. "And as I say, look at everything through the lens of folks who have yet to achieve. Romney doesn't talk that way."
Bush said campaigns shouldn't focus on tearing down opponents.
"I don't think we need to demonize the president," Bush said. "I know a lot of people, when my brother was president, spent a lot of energy trying to demonize a good, honorable man. That's not what campaigns aught to be about."
The former governor was also asked about the possibility of joining Romney's ticket as vice president.
"Well, I'd consider it," Bush said. "I doubt I'll get a call, and I don't know if it's the right thing for me to do. I didn't run for president for a similar kind of reason, so I'm all in to try to help him get elected."
Bush said he thought Romney should consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), saying "the combination would be extraordinary."
