The Bizarre Alliance Of Bush And Mccain

A White Houseincumbent rarely sees his party’s presidential nominee work to keep from being seen with him in public. The Bizarre Alliance Of Bush And McCainBy Cliff Montgomery – May 28th, 2008The bizarre alliance between presumed GOP president nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and George W. Bush appears based on a simple conundrum: McCain apparently knows he can’t be seen by the American public as an ally of the man now in the White House, but his campaign needs the money-rich backers that only Bush can provide.Even loyal “Bushies” privately admit that Bush is “an albatross for the Republican looking to succeed him,” according to an Associated Press story published yesterday. And why shouldn’t he be? Americans of all stripes are demanding real change after the debacle of the George W. Bush years.But “Incurious George” is a beloved figure among the knee-jerk neo-conservatives currently ruining the Republican Party. And if nothing else, his family connections to Big Money may provide a much-needed boost for McCain, who is being seriously out-gunned in the money race by the two remaining Democratic presidential candidates.Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), the Democratic front-runner, has raised over $265 million for his presidential run as of April of this year. In fact Obama has raised over $1 million a day during 2008, primarily thanks to small donors via the Internet.His remaining opponent in the Democratic race, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), has raked in almost $215 million as of April 2008–though at times she’s been forced to lend her presidential campaign millions to stay up with Obama’s record-breaking monetary pace.By contrast, Sen. McCain’s presidential campaign was nearly broke last year before doing a 180-degree turn. But McCain still isn’t in the money-making league of his Democratic contenders. Though he has collected almost $97 million as of April 30th, it isn’t nearly enough to win this year’s general election.Thus George W. Bush’s proven ability for raising serious money is much needed by the Arizona senator. Bush also better appeals to the Republican Party’s current neo-conservative base than McCain’s “maverick” persona, which means that Bush probably has a better chance of firing up a dispirited GOP by November.That’s why the ‘cowboy president’ and his hopeful successor made a rare joint appearance Tuesday. But the facts of the appearance reveal much about the downplayed alliance between the two politicians.Though the two were holding a joint fundraiser, it was only attended by faithful GOP followers at a private residence. Apparently neither the media nor the general public were allowed to document the event.In fact, the McCain campaign made sure that their man would only be documented on camera with Bush at a Phoenix airport tarmac before Air Force One, after the private fundraiser. The public meeting noticeably occurred too late for pictures of the event to be broadcast on most evening news programs.To be fair, McCain fundraisers typically shut out the press. But it’s a rare event when a White House incumbent sees his party’s presidential nominee work to keep from being seen with him in public.Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential front-runner, was quick to pounce on McCain’s sudden attack of shyness.”No cameras. No reporters. And we all know why. Senator McCain doesn’t want to be seen, hat-in-hand, with the president whose failed policies he promises to continue for another four years,” an apparently gleeful Obama said during a campaign stop in Nevada.”But the question for the American people is: Do we want to continue George Bush’s policies?”Of course, that answer will only be decided this November.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!