Bush's Role in McCain's Campaign

Elisabeth Bumiller describes how Senator John McCain does not want a strong presence by President Bush in the article “McCain Facing Delicate Choice: A Role for Bush.” The article discusses when to use President Bush to the greatest effect and how the President will affect the opinions of voters that McCain is appealing to.

Senator McCain wants to be able to campaign with little help from the President. He faces the difficult task using the President to appeal to conservatives while not alienating the independents and moderates. He does not want the President’s currently low approval rating to hurt his relatively high approval rating. Instead of a constant presence at McCain’s side Bush will be fund raising, mainly at dinners, bringing money into the Republican Party. The President’s endorsement, support and lack of it in the past have helped or hurt Presidential candidates. When Al Gore ran for President many Democrats wanted Gore to use more of President Clinton’s support. The Democrats want to promote the use image of Bush against McCain by making it make it appear that Bush is actually running for another term by using McCain as a puppet.

The use of the President to appeal to the people is a delicate situation. The overuse of a President with low approval ratings would hurt a candidate's campaign. President Bush is not popular with many people because they do not agree with his opinions and actions in Iraq, a slowing economy, immigration, social security, health care, global warming etc. Even though he may not be responsible for several issues people like to pin the bad times on the President. However, McCain can still use President Bush to his advantage to help bolster his conservative credentials and gain money for his party.

"McCain Facing Delicate Choice: A Role for Bush"

Border Security (Stage II)

In "Bush's border security plans draw praise, complaints" Richard S. Dunham discusses the opinions of several Congress men and women who support or disapprove of President Bush's budget increase proposals for United States border security. Bush's increases in funding to border security might go to: fencing, surveillance technology, detention facilities, personnel, and electronic employee verification programs. Several Congress men and women believe that the increased amount of money towards border security is good; others believe border security is not being seriously considered by the government- a few even believe what Bush is doing is not enough. Dunham's article on the President's border security proposals allow readers to know what the President believes is right for border security, what Congress men and women think about the President's plan and how much money could go into border security improvements.
"Bush's border security plans draw praise, complaints"