>>> former president george w. bush hours away from stepping back into the national spotlight to campaign with his brother jeb in south carolina. after donald trump's blistering attacks over the weekend on the former president in the debate and in the sunday shows how will his return really change this race? let's go to athena jones in charleston, south carolina. athena, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, brooke. the bush team is making a big play for south carolina. and so they're bringing out perhaps their biggest gun, george w. bush. it's a whole new stage in the race for jeb. >> george w. bush hitting the campaign trail tonight for the first time since leaving office. >> is he a popular republican? you bet he is. >> reporter: giving his younger brother a helping hand as the battle for south carolina heats up. >> i know jeb. >> reporter: he already lent his famous face for an ad for jeb.