The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Marketplace
    • Autos
    • Jobs
    • Real Estate
    • Classifieds
    • Shopping
    • Dining Out
    • Education
    • TWT Store
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • Politics

    Obama: It's Senate's turn on health care

  • Security

    Army chief wary of backlash against Muslim soldiers

  • Sports

    Offense erupts in Caps' victory

  • National

    KUHNHENN: 10% jobless rate is Obama's troubling world

  • World

    Joint forces probe NATO air strike

  • National

    Fla. shooting suspect 'mentally ill'

  • Business

    Parents buying homes for kids at college

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Bush welcome to raise cash, but no pictures and no press

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos

More Stories

  • Obama: It's Senate's turn on health care
  • Iran frees journalists swept up in protests
  • Fla. shooting suspect 'mentally ill'
  • Suicide bomber kills anti-Taliban mayor

By

SARASOTA, Fla. -- President Bush has become the Stealth Campaigner.

Candidates across the country, especially those in tight races where the president's power to draw cash is most valuable, want him to drop by for a fundraiser. They just don't want their picture taken with the head of the party -- mainly because they know it will end up in their opponents' television commercials.

So far this year, Mr. Bush has done 10 times as many closed-press fundraising events compared to 2002. He has also not appeared at a single major Republican rally, unlike four years ago, when he did 32.

"What a difference a few years makes," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Stacie Paxton. "Republicans are happy to take his cash, but when it comes to photo-ops and campaign stops, President Bush is persona non grata. ... Clearly, President Bush is toxic to many of the candidates across the country."

So far this campaign cycle, the president has followed a different path than he did in the last midterm congressional elections in 2002. While he has done about the same number of fundraising events -- 71 in 2002 and 67 so far this cycle -- just three events four years ago were deemed "closed press" by the White House, meaning that no reporters were allowed inside.

This year, the president has barred the press from 33 events, including a Republican National Committee dinner last night in Boca Raton, Fla.

While the White House plays down the marked rise in closed events, candidates are wary of being photographed with the president, whose approval rating has plummeted to record lows.

Democrats in 78 House races nationwide are using images of Mr. Bush and seeking to tie the unpopular president to the local Republican candidate, according to ABC News. In five of the seven Senate races on which the Democrats are making their strongest efforts -- Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania -- Mr. Bush plays a leading role in campaign commercials.

With some projections having Republicans losing as many as 40 House seats this election, one prominent Republican strategist said yesterday that the White House is also wary of weighing in.

"Who wants to have their fingerprints on this mess," the strategist said on the condition of anonymity.

12Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Commenting is disabled for this entry.
If you feel there is still something worth mentioning about this entry please contact the author or the site admin.

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  2. Sniper's ex-wife speaks out on abuse
  3. Parents buying homes for kids at college
  4. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute
  5. Inside the Beltway
More Top Stories »
  1. Armored troop carriers called unsafe for duty
  2. 13 killed at Texas army base; psychiatrist accused
  3. Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams
  4. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  5. House OKs health reform bill

Most Shared

  1. Parents buying homes for kids at college
  2. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  3. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  4. Sunshine vitamin stirs new debate
  5. Aborted fetus cells used in beauty creams
More Top Stories »
  1. PRUDEN: Corpse sits up, gets nice salute
  2. Looking to 2010, GOP focuses on fiscal restraint
  3. Israelis unsure of U.S. support
  4. EDITORIAL: The negative Obama factor
  5. Obama's unlearned lesson

Most Commented

  1. House OKs health reform bill
  2. Muslims stunned by Fort Hood shooting
  3. EDITORIAL: Too scared to recognize terrorism
  4. Furious scramble for health reform support
  5. 'Gentle' Army psychiatrist displayed worrisome signs
More Top Stories »
  1. Obama praises those who ended Fort Hood violence
  2. EXCLUSIVE: Rare virus poses new threat to troops
  3. Israelis unsure of U.S. support
  4. Making fun of faith
  5. Army: Suspect said 'Allahu Akbar!' before shooting

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Blogs & Columns

  • POTUS Notes

    New Dem talking point on Obama approval doesn't wash

  • The Back Story

    12 arrested at Pelosi's office

  • Belief Blog

    Washington goes Greek this week

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Redskins 360

    Campbell should return but why?

  • Tara's Two Cents

    On their way to summer vacation..

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.