Bush the 'ATM' readies campaign blitz
10/1/2006
By David Jackson, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — President Bush's calendar this month will be filled with political events on behalf of GOP candidates for the House of Representatives, Senate and governor's offices, including a three-day Western swing starting today....
***
Much of the focus this campaign season has been on the vulnerability of Republicans, who have controlled Congress for 12 years. This year, they face a public that a number of polls show is at best ambivalent about the war in Iraq and questions Bush's leadership.
In his public stump speeches, Bush says history and the voters will vindicate the decision that has become pivotal to the campaign: Iraq....
***
Many Democrats wield the Iraq war as a weapon against Bush and the Republicans. Sarah Feinberg of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee listed at least 15 House candidates who have criticized Bush in their ads against Republican opponents. Bush is also featured in Senate ads for Democrats in Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Rhode Island....None of that has diminished Bush's ability to raise money. A record-setting fundraiser for his own campaigns, Bush through Friday has raised $182 million for Republican candidates and organizations, the Republican National Committee says. That's closing in on the at least $188 million he took in during the 2001-02 campaign season, according to published reports.
"For Republicans, he's like an ATM machine," said Stuart Rothenberg, publisher of a non-partisan political report. "Otherwise, they want to stay away from him."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-10-01-bush-campaign_x.htm
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
