George Bush: Fundraiser
Despite record low approval ratings, US President George W. Bush remains a remarkable fundraiser for Republicans. At the Republican Governors Association annual dinner in Washington he raised a record setting $10.6 million for his party. His goal is, he told the public, to help Republicans take back the Senate, the House and the White House.
“I’m confident we’ll hold the White House in 2008. And I don’t want the next Republican president to be lonely. And that is why we got to take the House, retake the Senate, and make sure our states are governed by Republican governors,” he said. He added: “When I say I’m confident, I am so because I understand the mentality of the American people. And I understand the mentality of our candidates. And there’s no question in my mind, with your help, 2008 is going to be a great year.”
The main issue to him still is the war in Iraq. “I believe the American people understand that success in Iraq is necessary for the long-term security of the American people,” he said. “And we will elect somebody to the White House who will keep up the fight to make sure Iraq is secure and free.”
John McCain can’t afford to associate himself too much with George W. Bush, but he can’t afford to ignore Bush either. Bush 43 may be unpopular among the electorate as a whole, but he’s still reasonably popular among conservatives and, as such, able to raise a lot of money for the Republican nominee.
It’s ironic that the man who is responsible for the hole the party is in may also turn out to be its savior. But, I think its a longshot, as the country is ripe for a change. McCain will have the same difficulties running against a charismatic orator like Obama that Clinton had, and his campaign has had little success in its own fundraising. Whatever else you want to say about Obama, he has run a textbook campaign.
The GOP will have to pump more money into Congressional races, as a record number of their incumbents have resigned. Its always more costly to run an open race without the benefits of incumbency.
Bush is like Bill Clinton- at once the party’s biggest asset and its biggest liability.