One thing I haven’t seen too many people talking about is the role of George W. Bush in the upcoming presidential campaign. He’s not much of an asset to the eventual Republican nominee, with 40% of the electorate holding a ‘very negative’ opinion of him and another 17% a ‘somewhat negative’ view. He’s only slightly less unpopular than gonorrhea…something Dan Bartlett obliquely acknowledges:
“There is kind of a reset button in which the nominee reintroduces himself to the public. And it’s going to be important for the president and the White House to let him do just that,” said Dan Bartlett, Bush’s former counselor and a key aide during Bush’s campaigns for Texas governor and president.
“That definitional period is so significant, and the president is such a big gun to associate yourself with,” Bartlett said. “So I wouldn’t expect a big bear hug.”
That’s a kind way of putting it, but that doesn’t mean the president is without tools to assist the GOP nominee.
When Bush does get actively engaged, he has tools to influence the campaign that no one else can wield.
Bush can issue executive orders and promote policies that put his party in a good light. He can zoom into town on Air Force One and raise huge amounts of money for his party. And he has a Cabinet stocked with surrogates who can visit targeted states and congressional districts to dole out grants.
“They can put their thumb on the scale,” said John Podesta, who was chief of staff to Bill Clinton for the last part of the Democrat’s two-term presidency. “That doesn’t buy you 5 points in the polls, but if it’s a very tight race – a repeat of 2000 or 2004 – that can be a big difference.”
Cabinet members might have an exemption under the Hatch Act to partake in partisan political activities (I’m not a lawyer), but civil servants are not supposed to do that stuff. Nevertheless, Bush doesn’t have much more to offer than surrogates and the machinery of the federal government to weigh in on one side of a presidential election.
If, as I expect, John McCain is the Republican nominee it will be interesting to see how he uses Bush. What do you think?
Word is that Mitt is out this afternoon. The die is cast.
really? Go Huck!!
Yeah, at least the rumor is there at Taegan Goddards place.
Thinkprogress:
Lieberman’s superdelegate status stripped
about time.
I just saw that at ThinkProgress…I’m watching the CNN stream right now.
First time in a year that Romney hasn’t worn an ugly tie.
They’ll do the eat cake and play guitar gig.
I have a pretty good idea how that will go.
Considering that Bush is not running again, it makes it difficult to target him and all things Bush – this photo is nice.
Nice. Hope it’s used 24/7 on billboards, ads over and over again.
“A vote for McCain is a vote for Bush.”
How about : “John McCain : Snuggly with dictators”
Considering that Bush is not running again, it makes it difficult to target him and all things Bush ..
& that’s why Clueless Leader won’t unleash his happy-puppy-of-an-ego on the campaign trail. Likewise, I’m not sure how Bush can give McCain his sorely needed Christofascist bona fides, since it seems BushCo’s been a wee disappointment on that count.
Each time I see this I look closer at their positions and expressions. This could not be more demeaning to McCain (while still being G rated).
I agree,
In a close race that picture negates anything Bush could do. It should be on a million posters, and McCain should have to look at it where ever he goes.
It’s an absolutely disgusting picture, and I am sure McCain regrets that more than anything in his career. It should be EVERYWHERE.
nalbar
GOP sources: Romney to suspend campaign
Wonder if he’ll give his delegates to Ron Paul?
OMG…
MSNBC just broke away to an “NBC SPECIAL REPORT” with Brian Williams and the Pumkinhead to report the urgent news that Mittens is suspending his campaign for the presidency.With all the seriousness, you’d think we just started another war or something.
reuters has it too.
guess the thought of continuing with his Gramm-o-meter already at $1.16mil per delage was too much to bear…gotta think about the 5 brothers’ inheritance.
lTMF’sA
$1.16mil per delegate…
spell check is my friend
lTMF’sA
I really think it’s our civic duty to help re-introduce John McCain to the public, by Google Bombing his little “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran…” schtick all over the tubes.
Google bomb “John McCain” = http://LessJobsMoreWars.com/
Like this?
CNN is reporting that his supporters had no idea. That response when he said he was standing aside was proof of that. Did you hear those gasps?