FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
John McCain is facing a tricky decision when it comes to how much he should, or shouldn't, use President Bush in his campaign.
The New York Times reports that McCain's advisers will ask the White House to send the president out for major fund-raising, but they don't want him to appear too often by McCain's side. This has a lot to do with President Bush's terrible approval ratings which are hovering around 30.
The position is a difficult one for McCain. He needs to figure out how much he wants President Bush out there to try to get more support from conservatives while at the same time not alienating independents and moderate Democrats.
This probably means the president will make solo appearances before evangelicals, campaign where there are important House and Senate races, and attend big Republican fund-raising dinners.
However, in response to the Times story, McCain said he'd be honored to have the president's support and "to be anywhere with him under any circumstances."
Nevertheless, all this is not lost on the Democrats. They're already linking McCain to President Bush, calling it a "Bush-McCain" ticket that would be like giving President Bush a 3rd term.
One adviser suggests it would be a bad idea to keep Mr. Bush too far away from McCain since he's still popular with the base, saying that would be similar to what Al Gore did in 2000. Some Democrats say part of the reason Gore lost that election was because he distanced himself from President Bill Clinton, who remained popular among Democrats even though he was knee-deep in scandal.
Here’s my question to you: How much should John McCain use President Bush on the campaign trail?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Patricia writes:
I think he should tie Bush to his side and take him everywhere. With an approval rating like Bush has, this will certainly give the Democrats the edge to win the election.
Nana from Virginia writes:
McCain would do well to remember that seven years ago, President Bush was handed a healthy economy. Next year, he'll hand the president-elect a pawn ticket written in Chinese.
John writes:
I am a lifelong Democrat, but I feel if he avoids using President Bush, there will be a story every day talking about it. He should use him to remind Republicans that he is one.
Nancy writes:
No, he shouldn’t appear with him. If McCain goes too far to the right, he will lose the moderates and independents who will be the voting block that will make the difference in this election.
Gabriel from Birmingham, Alabama writes:
If McCain is smart, he will only use President Bush in the shadows to raise money for his campaign. Any appearances side-by-side would only tie McCain to Bush's unpopular policies and ideals.
Dustin writes:
He could spearhead McCain's efforts to garner support in Africa, as the president appears to be popular there.
Joe from Virginia writes:
Jack, John McCain would be better off getting an endorsement from Drew Peterson. Why would he want to associate himself with the worst president this nation has ever seen? McCain doesn't have much of a chance anyway. In a year from now, you'll see him making commercials for "The Clapper".