President Bush and John McCain? Just show me the money

If the president of the United States flew halfway across the United States for a luncheon that raised $1 million for you and your political friends, wouldn't you want to thank him in person?

John McCain, the beneficiary of George W. Bush's political work Friday, can evidently wait awhile for the face time. With the campaign season in full swing, that 30-something approval rating is keeping the president well hidden, even though his in-private fundraising capabilities are very much appreciated.

For those keeping score, the president and his would-be successor got together for the official presidential blessing of the McCain candidacy in March; they stood together, ever so briefly, at the steps of Air Force One after Bush spoke at an Arizona fundraiser for McCain in May.

They haven't been seen together since.

(The candidate and George H.W. Bush did get together in July, when McCain was in Maine for a fundraiser, but that's another story.)

As for the prospects of a future encounter of the current President Bush and Sen. McCain, consider this exchange between Deputy White House Press Secretary Tony Fratto and reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday as Bush headed for Oklahoma City for the above-mentioned fundraiser (minus, of course, the candidate-of-the-day):

Q: Do you know if they're going to appear together at all?

Fratto: I don't know. I don't know. The president is -- you have to remember, this is an election all the way with a deep ticket. I mean, with Senate candidates, state parties and members of the House of Representatives that the president wants to support and raise money for also.

And we need to be strong all the way through this ticket. And the president has -- the president has raised a lot of money in this campaign. He'll continue to raise more money. And we're going to make sure that those funds are put to good use to help those candidates.

Q: -- appear together?

Fratto: The McCain campaign will run the McCain campaign. We don't -- I don't have anything more on that.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press

Comments

[politicjock]

In running the sleaziest campaign since South Carolina in 2000 and standing by completely debunked lies on national television, it's clear that John McCain would rather lose his integrity than lose an election.

[Heidi]

There are so many lies that are spread by democrats and it is perfectly fine in the news and articles online. There seems to be little done to correct those lies even when the truth has been said... buried behind all of those lies. Of course there are sexist remarks said... extremists are alive and well in the blogging sites and so called news industry. I just wish that they would get past it all and start looking at the republic agenda for our country as well as the democratic one... one (Democratic) that will surely see us all as americans become an extinct entity under OBAMA.
Not just to let you know... I am no racist or extremist. I am A middle class american mother who is sincerely afraind of what this man is going to do to our country. He is a pacifist who will surely bring about more terrorist attacks on our soil that have already happened. It is due to 8 ears of Clinton administration and selling off parts of our country to china (as well as shipping our business out of the country)that we have seemed weak in the eyes of terrorists and other countries for years... and THAT alone should terrify us about letting another rose colored glasses wearing pacifist in the Ovel office. His ideals are unrealistic and dangerous ..THINK people... not just about the last few years, but over the last 16 years what has put us in this position today... Bush may have mad many mistakes... I know that . We all do... But our downfall started with Clinton and we have been on a slippery slope ever since. I just pray that McCain and Palin can actually do the good they are trying to do and slow and or reverse this descent our country has been heading into. God Bless AMERICA and our TROOPS overseas...for we surely need it in the days and months to come.

[lisa]

Talk about Rose colored glasses...Where have you been for the last 8 years.
This administration is responsible for this mess our country is in and McCain will
be more of the same.
Our country was not in a deficit when Clinton left office.
You need to wake up and realize that the problem we face with terrorist is a worldwide problem. Obama wants to unite everyone to help us combat terrorism
in the world. That is the ONLY way we are going to control this problem.
Our troops are already spread thin....We have our National Guard fighting in Iraq.
Along with the fact that McCain has voted against out veterans over and over again,
Not many are going to want to re-enlist. If McCain is elected you can be sure our college kids will be putting down their books and picking up guns..
They have just sent troops into Pakistan....Bush has wanted Iran for awhile and Palin is starting with Russia..You do the math......DRAFT

[lisa]

You want to talk about lies? Why don't you do some fact checking.
The lies are coming from the McCain camp.
After a week of the democratic convention there was one page at factcheck that Obama stayed mostly with the truth....The Republican party had three pages of lies..
Everyone of the Ad's they are running are lie's..
Do your homework.
If Bush had paid attention to the "memo" . There never would of been an attack on American soil......

[Adam]

Right, Heidi, because pacifism is what causes 'unprovoked' attacks on your country... giving other countries one too many reasons to abhor American foreign policy (which closely resembles schoolyard bullying on a basic level) couldn't POSSIBLY be the reason for such an attack. Heavens, no.

[Darla]

George W. Bush was in Oklahoma City on Friday for a private fundraiser to raise money for John McCain's campaign and for the Republican National Committee.

The fundraiser, held on the northeast side of Oklahoma City took place at a private home. Those attending had the opportunity to donate $5,000 to have their photograph taken to memorialize their support of George Bush. Tickets to the luncheon cost $1,000 and for $25,000 they could have a brief meeting with the president. The press reported that 300 tickets were sold and McCain was not at the event.

According to the Associated Press the following article states:

Bush quietly raises money for McCain
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/09/12/bush_quietly_raises_money_for_mccain/

OKLAHOMA CITY—President Bush played the role of invisible man on the campaign trail Friday, headlining a closed-door fundraising luncheon for John McCain and the Republican Party with tickets costing as much as $25,000.