Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has earned the right to take on President Obama in November.

“It is time to get behind the nominee,” Bush told the Tribune-Review on Wednesday during a visit to Pittsburgh. “And it is time for the country to focus on the most important thing, which is to elect a president who will create a climate for high growth and job-creating abilities for our country.”

Bush called for the Republican Party to unite behind the former Massachusetts governor, who won the Illinois primary this week – with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Romney led rival Rick Santorum 46.7 to 35 percent.

GOP strategist Bruce Haynes said the Bush endorsement is worth a lot to the Romney campaign.

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