Posted 2:42 pm | Printer Friendly
A couple of months ago, when Maryland Republican gubernatorial hopeful Michael Steele decided not to appear in public with the president, the Bush gang scoffed at the notion that GOP candidates would distance themselves from the president. The RNC's Ken Mehlman insisted that the White House received more invitations for presidential appearances than Bush could possibly accept.
Even at the time it was a dubious claim, but now it's just silly.
Last week, for example, Bush went to Virginia Beach to campaign for Rep. Thelma Drake (R), who is considered one of the many vulnerable House GOP incumbents. The president's visit served its purpose — Bush helped Drake raise some money — but the funny part is Drake didn't show up for the appearance.
It's become something of a trend. Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) was notably absent from a Bush event in March in Ohio. Cheney was in New Jersey to help Senate candidate Tom Kean Jr., but Kean didn't show up until Cheney was gone. Minnesota Senate candidate Mark Kennedy skipped an appearance by Bush at a 3M Corp. plant outside Minneapolis.
The Wall Street Journal reported it's only getting worse for Bush.
President Bush goes to Pennsylvania tomorrow to campaign for embattled Republican House members in the Philadelphia suburbs. But one of the candidates isn't expected to be there.
Mr. Bush "is really doing poorly in our state," says Rep. Curt Weldon, explaining why he won't be on hand and hasn't asked for the president's help. "I've got to win this by myself."
True? Not really. Weldon doesn't want to be seen with the president, but he's already campaigned with John McCain in his district once, and is thinking about asking McCain to do it again. Weldon has got to win this by himself — and with McCain's (not Bush's) help. | 
