RK ARCHIVE - George Allen afraid to be seen with George Bush?

George Allen afraid to be seen with George Bush?

makes a good point

Why Won+óGé¼Gäót George Allen Appear in Public With George Bush When He Comes To Virginia?

George Bush is heading to Virginia to help George Allen+óGé¼Gäós senate campaign later this month but you+óGé¼Gäóll never know it because the President is going to appear with Allen at a private affair, away from the cameras and out of the spotlight.

+óGé¼+ôIf George Allen is too embarrassed to appear in public with George Bush, he should be too embarrassed to let him raise money for him in private,+óGé¼-¥ DSCC spokesman Phil Singer said. +óGé¼+ôAllen has supported George Bush 96% of the time, on everything from the President+óGé¼Gäós failed Iraq policy to giving tax cuts to oil companies that are seeing record profits. He shouldn+óGé¼Gäót hide behind closed doors now that Bush+óGé¼Gäós ratings are in the tank.+óGé¼-¥

Last week, Allen+óGé¼Gäós campaign manager acknowledged that Bush+óGé¼Gäós low approval rating in Virginia is a drag on the Virginia Republican. With Allen+óGé¼Gäós support under 50% (a sign of weakness for an incumbent like Allen), Allen aide Dick Wadhams said, +óGé¼+ôIt+óGé¼Gäós a tough political environment all over. Virginia's no different in that it's a tough political environment for Republicans.+óGé¼-¥

For the last year, Bush has had net negative approval ratings in Virginia. The last time Survey USA showed Bush with a net positive approval rating in Virginia was June 2005. This month, the poll showed Bush with a 12-point net negative rating in the state. The new Mason-Dixon poll reinforced these findings, showing Bush with a 43% approval and 56% disapproval rating in the state.

The 2005 gubernatorial contest showed how Bush can have a negative impact on an election campaign in Virginia. Political analysts said Bush cost GOP gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore votes with his Election eve visit and may have contributed to his loss. Stuart Rothenberg said, +óGé¼+ôyou have to wonder whether or not there was a drag on the Republicans coming from the White House and the GOP's national problems. Virginia is a state you'd expect Republicans to win.+óGé¼-¥ And before the results came in, Rothenberg said, +óGé¼+ôVirginia will be read as a referendum on Bush.+óGé¼-¥ Larry Sabato said, +óGé¼+ôThis is a red state, he came in on Election Eve and he had no discernible effect. ... If anything, he may have cost Kilgore some votes.+óGé¼-¥

So, is Allen shying away from his close connection with Bush? Did he learn from Kilgore's high profile mistake during the gubernatorial campaign?

Allen is happy to rubber stamp the Bush agenda in the Senate in exchange for the President's fundraising help. But, please, no pictures.

Comments

People should be told over and over about Allen/Bush (bladerunner - 8/10/2006 12:26:19 PM)

Even though Felix Allen won't be seen with him now, he should be challenged in a debate and made to say that he supports Bush and should be asked why he went with Bush 96% of the time. And ask him why is he running from Bush now. Of course we know, but if asked his reply will be like the following: "Gosh, gee, shucks everyone knows I've supported Bush in the past, but gee golly it's now, and, well uhhh I am trying to get re elected, and golly I don't know, I guess Bush has made a few enemies and mistakes, so well I guess I'll flip flop now and well he'll understand it's politics".

Is this really a cohesive answer? (phriendlyjaime - 8/10/2006 2:57:53 PM)

BC it doesn't read like one. It reads like trollish tripe.

HRC isn't president (teacherken - 8/10/2006 3:10:45 PM)

and what would you say if hypothetically Jimmy Carterand/or Bill Clinton did appear with Webb?

A senator is not comparable to a sitting president of one's own party.