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FILE - In this Jan. 5, 2008 file photo, President George W. Bush is seen in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Expect George W. Bush to stay far away from this year's presidential election. Mitt Romney's campaign doesn't foresee the 43rd pr J. Scott Applewhite, File, AP Photo
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FILE - In this May 10, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks in Omaha, Neb. Expect George W. Bush to stay far away from this year's presidential election. Romney's campaign doesn't foresee the 43r Jae C. Hong, File, Associated Press
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FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2004 file photo, President George W. Bush waves as Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney applauds, in Nashua, N.H. Expect Bush to stay far away from this year's presidential election. Romney's campaign doesn't foresee the 43rd president p Steven Senne, File, Associated Press
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FILE - In this March 5, 2008 file photo, President George W. Bush and Republican nominee-in-waiting, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., shake hands in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Expect Bush to stay far away from this year's presidential ele Gerald Herbert, File, Associated Press
By Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — George W. Bush has finally weighed on the presidential race — with a terse "I'm for Mitt Romney."

The former president spoke those words Tuesday to ABC News as the doors of an elevator shut following a speech in Washington. They might be Bush's only public opinion about the presidential race before the election.

Romney's campaign doesn't foresee the 43rd president playing a substantive role in the race. Aides are carefully weighing how much the former president should be involved in the GOP convention — and for good reason.

The Bush fatigue that was a drag on GOP nominee John McCain, and on the country, four years ago still lingers.

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Romney's aides fear Bush's status could hurt the new Republican standard-bearer in battleground states like Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.

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