For Republican Hopefuls, the Bush Primary Is Well Under Way

By MICHAEL D. SHEAR

Bob Levey/Getty Images — Former President George Bush gives a smile to crowd after he was on the video screen during an Astros game in Houston in April.

For Republicans who want to be president, one of the most crucial primaries is well under way: the Bush primary.

Jon Huntsman, the former governor of Utah, spent Monday afternoon in Kennebunkport, Me., having lunch with the elder George Bush — the 41st president and one of the keys to earning the support of a vast network of political operatives, donors, surrogates and activists.

The private lunch with Mr. Huntsman was not an endorsement by Mr. Bush, who held a similar meeting several weeks ago with Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota and now an official candidate for president. The elder Mr. Bush is also close to Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts.

But it’s a reminder that in Republican politics, the Bush family’s political operation remains an important piece of the puzzle for presidential hopefuls.

(More here.)