Mitt Romney is tearing into Rick Santorum for voting with Republican President George W. Bush on spending increases and news government programs, and Santorum is trying to prove he was mostly independent from Bush. But there was a time, not too long ago, when both Romney and Santorum were absolutely delighted to be seen with Bush. Here's our look back at the simpler, happier days when a Bush photo-op was something the candidates for the Republican nomination would rush to, not run screaming away from.

Mitt Romney

August 30, 2004: Bush and then-Gov. Romney in Nashua, New Hampshire:

February 27, 2006: Bush and Romney at the Republican Governors Association reception in Washington:

August 11, 2008: Bush and Romney at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing:

RIck Santorum

April 19, 2004: Santorum with Bush and then-Sen. Arlen Specter in Pittsburgh:

June 14, 2005: Bush and Santorum on their way to a fundraiser in Pennsylvania:

March 26, 2006: Bush campaigning with then-Sen. Santorum in Pittsburgh:

Newt Gingrich

December 12: 1995: Then-Gov. George W. Bush (far right -- so young!) met with then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other Republican governors to discuss Medicaid:

The above photo appears to be the exact moment when neither Gingrich nor Bush were unpopular in polls at the same time.

Ron Paul

No photos of Ron Paul and Bush together from the Associated Press or Reuters.

(Photos via Associated Press.)

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at ereeve at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
Elspeth Reeve