Will Bush’s convention speech help or hurt McCain?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/02/art.bush.rnc.gi.jpg caption="President George W. Bush will address the RNC via satellite from the White House."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The good news is: Hurricane Gustav spared New Orleans a direct hit. The bad news is: it freed up President Bush to appear at the Republican Convention tonight.
President Bush won't speak in person, but will address the convention by satellite from the White House. Some Republicans were actually relieved yesterday when they found out the president – whose approval ratings are at record low levels – wouldn't be in St. Paul because of the hurricane. They did manage to get rid of Vice President Cheney, who is on an overseas trip. But they still have Joe Lieberman and Fred Thompson on tap for tonight. All is not lost. The president's speech has been shortened, which is apparently due to Gustav and a compressed convention schedule.
It's a hard sell for McCain, who's been trying to distance himself from President Bush. The White House says the president is looking forward to thanking the Republicans for all their support and to "throw his enthusiastic support" behind McCain.
Polls show 80% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track. President Bush has been driving that train for 8 years. And John McCain has voted right along with President Bush 90% of the time.
Here’s my question to you: Does President Bush’s speaking to the Republican Convention help or hurt John McCain?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
D. writes:
Hardly. And it will help even less when the delegates show how out of step with the country they are by giving his speech a hero's welcome. Bush is radioactive, and it's not as if there are any real differences between his administration and the policies McCain was boxed into embracing in the primaries. The nomination was a devil's bargain, and the devil is on a live feed tonight.
Diana from Houston writes:
I wouldn't have said this last week, but it will probably help McCain at this point. At least it gets the coverage off his disastrous V.P. selection.
David from Spokane, Washington writes:
It hurts McCain. As a lifelong Republican, I can tell you this and I am not alone: Gustav was looking like our savior. We wish Bush would pull a Dick Cheney and go into hiding for 4 days. Bush at the podium is like a porcupine at a balloon factory. Bad news!
Billy writes:
Jack, I believe that Bush's speech will help McCain with the Republican base just like his choice of Governor Palin as his running mate. However, I believe it will add to the concerns of many undecided voters as well as Democratic supporters that McCain is a George Bush puppet.
Rob from Florida writes:
Jack, Bush's speech will help the campaign tremendously; that's the Obama campaign I'm referring to.
Paul writes:
If Bush wants to help McCain, he should continue to do what he's been doing - avoiding the campaign as much as possible. Same for the convention.
Gabriella writes:
I don't think Bush can hurt McCain any more then he's hurt himself.
Joan from Canada writes:
Poor Johnny. Bush will shoot him in one foot and Sarah will shoot him in the other.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Hard to say, Bush is not much of a President but has beensuccessful selling snake oil.
I hope it helps him all the way back to the senate where he belongs.
Jack: If George W. Bush talks about how McCain was a Maverick, and did not always follow the party line it might help McCain. But knowing Bush, he will screw it up, and make McCain into the poster boy for tax cuts for the rich, staying in Iraq until the cows come home, and I do not know anything about the economy, and which home will I sleep in after the convention is over. Jack, the Republicans are hunting for the Hail Mary pass, becuase is in the 4th quarter, and its 4th down and 25 yards to go, and only 10 seconds left on the clock. McCain and Palin are not going to score with the voters.
John
Alabama
With the selection of governor wingnut, it is obvious that Mccain is keying his campaign to the conservatives. Those are the only people in American who still believes George Bush should not be in a federal prison. W is a good bet for this convention but say goodbye to the moderate independents.
Jack, no one has paid attention to Bush for the last six months. So, it will not hurt McCain now.
It'll be a wash. The only people who can stomach tuning in to watch the speech are the diehard Bush worshipers who rarely think for themselves and will be voting as directed anyway.
In a bush-league convention, it will probably help since there is far too much denial in republican land–including its presumptive nominee.
No I don't think it will. President Bush is loved by his party and it will help Mccain with the base, it will also remind the center or moderates what a disaster this last 8 years have been. Jack this election will be determined by who turns out the biggest part of their base and grabs the middle voters. Obama has a better machine to turn out the voters.
It hurts McCain because it reminds every one of how much their the Same
What do you think? Isn't Bush the inverse of King Midas? Everything he touches turns to sh**. Of course there are still a lot of brain-dead people out there that think Bush has been a great president.
It will hurt him there both cut from the same pieces of cloth.
It doesn't matter if Mickie or Minnie Mouse is the current US President. The GOP's leader has no choice but to speak at the convention; call it Diplomatic immunity.
If not Pain , then who did the FBI vett for McCain's VEEP? whoever he is, this is whom McCain (Cain? hmm) had thought to chose. he waited until after Biden was chosen, to make sure Hillary's supporter were upset, then he presumptiously calls up Pain. he hopes to get Hillary's 18 million. He is not thinking about the good of America. Wouldn't it be really ironic if McCain died shortly after he wins the election, with all of his devious tactics, and the country gets stuck with a mother of 5 + 1, her grand which she will likely have to raise? A woman who is herself still in a child baring age. America will be the laughing stock of the world. and all because of an old nut.
neither....he cant help McCain nor can he hurt McCain they are joined at the hip
he does both. for the true blue conservatives, bush is still a powerful figure. part of the republican base will turn out for an apperance by bush. however, for the democrats bush is a rallying point. bush represents what went wrong with the republican party, as far as the liberal wing of the DNC. this group will not hesitate to take advantage of the apperance and chant their mantra of 'third bush term'.
let's face it, for both parties there are figures that speak to the base and rankle the opposition. the response these people elicit is what is wrong with politics today, it is less about policy, getting things done, and using common sense, and more about ideaology.
Hurt..
George Bush has a strategiatically planned speech. In it he will show he knows the hard to say names of foreign rulers, and sight times he and McCain have disagreed to help distance themselves from each other. It might even be televised on Fox.
At this point I would think only die hard republican's would believe Bush is a positive. Then there is reality....
President Bush is not known for his great speaking ability. His presidency has certainly left much to be desired. Perhaps the best thing he could do for Senator McCain is to give a ringing endorsement of Senator Obama.
Well, depending on how well President Bush sticks to the script, the speech will be OK. If he tries to talk off of the cuff and tell a joke, for example, it will end in total disaster and the whole nation will laugh, together, at our hilarious President. That wouldn't be good for McCain, but it sure would be funny!
People who support McCain will want Bush speaking-it's that simple.
WHO CARES? It will help OBAMA!!
Jack,
I think it will hurt anytime your seen with the worst President in the history of this country it can't help you no way no how , And if Bush decides to pump up his twin McSame- McBush – McCain it will hurt him in the polls big time.
I think Bush should sudden come down with strep throat if he want to help McGaffe, I mean McCain. His speak could be like adding kerosene to an already toasted Campaign.
I question how Bush could help McCain. How can McCain or the RNC not allow him to speak having the title President? Bush should show a little class for a change and stay in Texas. Even with him running FEMA from texas it still is all screwed up.
With Bush's popularity and the job that he has done for or should I say on this country with McCain's help, I think only those drinking the Kool-Aid will be impressed.
Nothing Bush did or will do will help McCain.. AKA George McCain, AKZ John Bush... AKA Bush light, AKA not the next president
I see Bush speaking only hurting McCain. With this guy,who klnows what he will say! Most of the time he puts his foot in his mouth and just the past eight years record alone is enough for any sensible person to distance themselves from McCain.
Jack; Anytime the president has conversated, it was always entertaining... I just hope the speech writers clearly differentiate the names of Palin and Putin.. They do LOOK alike..
As hard as the Democrats are trying to make Bush and Mccain into a Siamese twin act, I can't see how its going to help. Then again, lately htere doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between them so maybe it won't matter.
If I were John for McCain George Bush would be the last person I'd have speaking for me. He has done nothing but destroy this country and he will destroy John McCain chances if he had any to begain with.
Before last Friday I would have said it would hurt McCain. After seeing who he picked as his running mate, I'm not so sure. It now looks like he can use all the help he can get. Bush is bound to rally the base but then what?
John has been shooting himself in the foot alot lately, I don't see how Bush could hurt him any more, stay away from Cheney though John, he shoots for the head.
Mccain is happy he found a excuse not to have him there. I bet he has a big smile on his face now. anybody that gets painted as another Bush should be offended by that. i wonder if they will have a cake for his birthday or wil he hitting in the face with it.
Bush hasn't helped anyone who isn't a millionaire in eight years. The best thing Bush could do for McCain was use Hurricane Gustav as an excuse to duck out. Now there won't be another photo op of McCain sniffing Bush's armpit. McCain can show up Thursday and pretend he never heard of Bush. cy gardner arlington va
It hurts McCain. As a lifelong Republican I can tell you this, and I am not alone. Gustav was looking like our saviour. We wish Bush would pull a Dick Cheney and go into hiding for 4 days.
–
Bush at the podium is like a porcupine at a balloon factory. Bad news !
–
David Elton
Spokane, Washington
no !!!
Jack,
Logic suggests that Bush speaking at the convention will not just help McCain, it will put him over the top ang give him the election. For the last 8 years, everything that Bush has done has been a disaster for America. Cinching the election for McCain would be the crowning distaster of his administration.
I can just hear the Republicans groaning after they thought they'd dodged the bullet on this one.
Who can tell anymore ? Everything is so unreadable now, With Bush's track record, and total failure as a President , it should poison McCains candidacy , BUT...... He's the only president who needs a food taster ! So you tell me !!
Jack, Bush's speech will help the campaign tremendously, that's the Obama campaign I'm referring to.
Mr. 30% can always do more damage to the GOP. So yes, it'll probably hurt John.
McCain should stay as far away as Gore did with Clinton.
I don't think it will make a difference one way or the other as there are so many people and groups trying to tie the two together anyway. Whether he speaks or not, it will be twisted into a negative for the Republican Party.
Bush is our President (like it or not). He is a key Republican figure (like it or not). He has a right and probably obligation to be speaking at this convention (like it or not) regardless of public opinion, political pundents or how the media reports it.
Only time, history and forthcoming events will define his wisdom (or lack of) with regard to his choices and where this all takes us.
I hope for all our sakes that the majority of us were wrong about him and his leadership.
kerry diehl
grosse ile, mi
Have you heard Bush speak, Jack1`?
Come on....the man can't string words into a sentence.....
it isn't going to help.
It's Politcal Party he belongs to. They like him-You are guys don't. He doesn't have to Impress you or anyone else. Just the People who are Republicans.
No I don't think Bush will hurt McCain with a speech at the Convention, Why wasn't Harry Reid a speaker at the Democratic convertion? Probably because his rating along with Pelosi is lower than Bush's rating.
About as much as Sarah Palin.
It`s going to be funny to hear him say, mccain`s your man,but he`s nothing like me. I don`t think it will help him much.
In a funny way, he will actually help McCain. McCain follows the same policies that Bush does, but as soon as Bush gets up to speak, people will be reminded what an idiot he is. McCain is much smarter than Bush, so that could come off looking like he's different from Bush.
Not at all Jack if he keeps his comments brief like fifteen seconds. If he times his comments correctly, like 4 o-clock in the morning and he endorses Obama he won't hurt McCain at all.
Comedy Central should be there filming his speech. Can't wait to see what Jay Leno and David Letterman have to say.
Bush can't possibly help McCain when the world is so disillusioned with him and they view McCain as just more of the same. I recently spent about a month in Europe and it was painful to listen to people take about our American president in such derogatory terms, and they view McCain as more the same. These comments came from "friendly" nations. Several talked about how they voted out leaders who were in lock step with Bush. The only thing that he will show is that no matter how for he tries to remove himself from the "Twin Cities" , he and McCain are the twins of status quo, and America is suffering through their policies. How can he possibly tell the American people that we deserve 4 more years of his policies when they've failed so badly and hurt us at home and abroad! It's time for a real change!
My guess is that John McCain plans on retiring in January after Barack Obama is nominated. He wants to be president, and this is his swan song, but he knows he doesn't have a prayer of winning. He has no interest in being a Senator anymore (evidenced by his absence from the floor for the last six months). He doesn't have the physical stamina for the campaign, let alone the office (evidenced by his part-time campaigning with 3 day weekends, and a travel/rest-day slipped between the other four).
So, as far as helping him achieve his goal of retiring in January, I think bush's appearance (even on video) will be quite helpful to McCain indeed.
hopefully it will provide a nice George W gaff for Democrate attack ads.
Bush is just a bad memory. Even though I'm an Obama supporter, I'm old enough to see McCain as a unique individual. So, Bush's speech will remind us of the mistakes of the past and will further mire down the convention, but the long-term effect will be minimal because McCain and Palin bear so little resemblance to Bush-Cheney.
Boise
Bush speaking at any function is a death curse. I'm not sure what he will talk about , though. Unless it's a heart felt apology for his sins of the past eight years, there aren't any accomplishments to brag about. Maybe he will ask for donations for his presidential library or promise not to screw anything else up for the next four months. Those are the only positives I can think of.
Bush speaking TO the convention will hurt Republicans less than him speaking AT the convention since there aren’t many people that want to be seen with a president with the worst record in history. A photo showing a candidate with Bush would be heavy ammunition for the Democrat running against them back home.
I guess that not hurting the Republicans any more than you have to could be seen as helping.....Perception is reality.
It will hurt McCain beacuse it will remind everyone about Bush failed policies and that McCain was a part of it.
Bush's speech will definitely will hurt.Not because of the content,but because of the delivery.Bush always comes across as a know-nothing,do-nothing type of person.
McCain should have Bush write his own speech. The dumber Mr. President sounds on stage, the better McCain looks in comparison.
It cannot possibly help him. The Democrats are already having a field-day with the image of McCain giving Bush a hug with a very effective ad (in my opinion) that recently came out. Anything that serves to reinforce ties between McCain and Bush will only drive independents away and even cause Republicans to re-consider.
Jack,
I beleive the Presidents "speech" at the convention will not help anyone. Every time he speaks someone gets hurt.
Joe
St Louis,MO
I can't remember any speech over the past 8 years that ever really helped Bush at all for anyone or himself...He just has that face and cockiness that pretty much shows his, well if I say it you won't show it, but he was then and is now still a fool.."you're doing 1 hell of a job brownie."
Mr. President-you need to stay away. You're not a great speaker...and I doubt you'll fire up the voters or the delegates. Go work on hurricane recovery efforts.
Jack,
This Bush speech will be a tremendous help for McCain because it will get the Palin " lobbyist connected/ liked bridge before not liking bridge/ troopergate/ pregnant daughter/ totally token female veep story off the radar!
Americans don't blame McCain for Bush, but they will blame him for Palin.
Since a political convention is really only a big party then why not have the people throwing the party bring in their own resident clown. Everyone knows a clown loosens up the crowd and with this collection of stuffed shirts they could likely use a little loosening up.
Then if gold old Krusty the Clown doesn't do the trick they could fall back on some of John McCain's jokes especially his latest one being his selection of Sara Palin for VP. Of course this joke is on America so it might not go over so good.
Who will be watching it Jack?
Jack: His speech will do neither. Bush's speech tonight will focus on his eagerness to demonstrate the lessons learned from the Katrina criticism and to add to his legacy. And with McCain choosing Sarah Palin as his VP running mate, Bush will be doing everything he can to distant himself from McCain instead of McCain distanting himself from Bush. The political worm is about to turn.
It is his stance on the issues that hurt John McCain the most and President Bush’s speaking (if you want to call it that), is the icing on the cake.
well Jack it wont help John McCain , he is so far gone with his poor judgement (ie ridiculous choice of sara palin) that nothing will help him or his party win the presidency. having bush speak for him at the convention would mean another blow to his almost comical campaign. I pray for the Americans and the World that John McCain doesnt get in.
Anna
Nova Scotia, Canada
Is a political convention, republican or democrat, anything other than a middle-age drunk-fest? Does anyone other than the press care about the speakers?
Jack
What difference does it make, both parties havent given us much of a choice, a lot of voters will be staying home this November.
it won't because mccains campaign has fallen short, pardon the pun{short}
With the Karl Rove attacks alive and well in McCain's campaign it won't hurt John McCain at all having President Bush speak because the message is all the same.
Will Bush help the republican party today? Only heaven knows. If jack had given us information on Obama's bounce in the polls, that might have helped cut down Mcains ride to the white house. But since he (Jack) didn't, only heaven knows.
My Question is "Where's the Bounce?"
Carol
Springfield, OR
Of course it won't HELP him – I don't see why the convention managers didn't have the guts to tell Bush to stay away.
But I am trying to remember similar situations in the past. Did LBJ speak at Chicago in 1968?? I do not think he did.
The runnaway Straight Talk Express can use all the help it can get but I can't see where a speech from the "Decider" will put it back on track. This whole thing is like watching a psychotic horse run through a burning barn. Where is my country and what have you done with my leaders??
It depends on which side of the fence you sit???????
The both of them are probably the two worst public speakers in recorded history, so it is kind of hard to tell who is hurting who on this one. Either way, the place is gonna be like watching paint dry.
It'll definitely help him Jack ... help him look worse.
Bruce in Bend
It can't help Jack! The McCain supporters are slowly coming to understand that the GOP is a lost cause and We here in the U.S. will see to that.
No Way, No Palin, No McCain!
Senator McCain's best chance to win this general election is to distance himself as much as possible from the Bush/Cheney adminstration and its' failed policies. Any association with Bush is a major negative for ANY candidate in this election.
Jack,
Bush's speech will definately help McCain. You yourself pointed out that the Republican Party has now taken full control of the Land of Make Believe, and in the Land of Make Believe everything is possible.
It sure won't hurt John McCain in this household because we mute the tv or change channels when George Bush appears on the screen. Seriously, Bush can do NOTHING to help the Republican candidates or party. He needs to quietly ride off into the sunset and get lost on his Texas ranch. Maybe the Lone Ranger will find him and justice will be served!
Hurt. My fondest hope is that W comes here to Oregon to campaign for Gordon Smith, who is desperately trying to pull his nose out of Bush. I am glad, though, that W will at least get satellite love and worship from the good ol' boys in St. Paul.
Jack,
It's not going to make a difference, The only ones who will be listening will be the GOP and of course David Letterman. I love those stammering presidential speeches.
Jack I get so tired hereing that some of these candiates dont have any experience. These bunch of clowns that are in there now are supose
to have experience and look at the shape this country is in. Maybe we need people without experience. We could put third graders in there and they could do a better job. Don
Bush's speech will further confirm that McCain is a Bush follower.
If McCain stands on the theory that he is Maverick and is independent of Bush, then why is he allowing Bush to speak at this Republican convention?
Yes it will still be an issue and by the way you mentioned McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time, how about Obama who voted with his party 97% of the time and they have a lower approval rating than Bush.
George Bush has done tremendous harm to this country and the rest of the world yet the Republicans still give him a platform to remind us all of just that. I say, let him speak because it will be the last time he gets a platform like this outside of a prison cell.
Jack, even as a lame duck president now it might still be nookyuler, as it will make independents and moderates pause as they see George Bush embrace McCain's candidacy, shoring up the "more of the same" claims.
Jack, it will help him if he plays the Republican trump card. It is capable of erasing the logical points made by Obama or anyone else of like mind on issues such as health care, foreign and domestic policy, etc., because its strength lies in a weakness of an American electorate ready to accept, without any critical analysis, neo-con statements that appeal to their nationalist hubris. It's the old war mentality attitude. Negotiations be damned. I am reminded of a line from On the Waterfront when Marlon Brando's character expresses his philosophy of life, "Do it to him before he does it to you." Americans are suckers for this kind of thinking.
It's strange how situations work out. Here we have President Bush with a 30%+ public approval rating speaking for a low teens to high single digit approval rated candidate, McCain, running against 2 candidates, Obama and Biden, with the same low dismal approval rating. No wonder the country is so screwed up.
Not at all. Believe it or not Jack some people still like the President. It appears your shifting your focus from tearing down Bill and Hillary to Palin and Bush.
jack, he's already hurting the country as well his political party..right now, i don't want to look at him or hear him...everytime i see him, it reminds me of the lost bodies from the iraq war, our economy is crumbling down, people are losing their homes, etc..he will go down as the worst president in history..no way mccain, no way mccain!
I want him to appear in front of a limited nation wide viewing audience, and please speak! Whenever he opens up his mouth, Obama's poll ratings go up. McCain and Bush are joined at the hip, and if you Republicans think diferrently, you are clueless.
Depends on what is in his speech. At least we won't have to see and listen to his sidekick Cheney. He should make it short and sweet, about five minutes worth.
How McCain can even associate with Bush after what Bush has done to this country is beyond belief. If you like the canyon of dysfunction we are in now McCain is your man.
This country needs dramatic changes to fix all the Republicans have done to destroy this country. There is no logic that says the Republicans should be rewarded with another 4 years in the White House.
If McCain wins that means he will have a Democratic congress to work with which will equal 4 more years of gridlock.
Our once great country can not stand another administration of Republican fools, the clock is ticking.
Remember the Republicans say they have lost their way and their principles – it is not hard to take their word for it.
Vote wisely!
My guess is that the convention organizers and delegates are hoping for a 'brown out' to happen just as Bush goes live on air to deliver his 'support of McCain speech'.
That way they may lose the live feed connection, between St.Paul and the White house. Isn't technology wonderful!
Neither. All presidents, past and present speak at conventions.
Jack From Nice, Ca. Jack I can't see how anything the President could say could help anyone. George Bush has been like a dark cloud over America and the best thing he could do is to go back to Crawford, Texas and keep his mouth shut and when he does. God Save Crawford!
I can't wait unitl the next 25 -30 years so that we can reclaim our country. By then, all of these old Republicans who don't think and just do what they're told will be gone, and America will rise to greatness again with a new generation of people who don't just blindly do what there're told and believe what they're told. I'm both amazed and frustrated at the level of American's stupidity and can't help but feel that our political system is most negatively impacted by senior citizens.
Will Bush help Mc Cain by speaking at their convention ?
Only with " true blue Bush / Mc Cain supporters '
Frankly..I can't stand to watch Bush or Cheney any more.
I'm an Independant voter. No party labels for me..
Those days are long gone. Republicans do not act like true Republicans any longer. They have been bought and paid for by large corporations & wealthy donors. They do not represent the average voter.
Who cares: McCain has removed the diapers off the Republican Party, exposing their astronomical incompetency, not to mention their hypocrisy on conservative family values. 4 more years of this???
It will serve to remind people that McCain is little more than bush's lackey, which will help with rabid right wingers, and hurt among thinking voters.
President Bush is the Republican Party's worse enemy! Enough said!
Jack,
This is his kind of liked minded people, the right wing will love the inconsequential speech by Bush. However the rest of the country will jump for joy after hearing his last lame duck speech, it's going to be painfull for McCain...
C.I., New York
Near the anniversery of Katrina, and its reminder Gustav, yes, having Bush speak would hurt McCain.
Yet, if McCain is so adamant about solidifying his base (shown by his VP pick), McCain will invite Bush, praise Bush, despite how his poll numbers will sink like feet in quicksand.
If McCain would be featured hugging Bush in Oliver Stone's upcoming movie W, it's all over.
And Oliver Stone is, as of this moment, in the process of editing this film in time for an October release.
We could have an October surprise coming.
Let's focus on some reality. Our president has an approval rating that is in the toilet. As a candidate you get George on the big screen to declare his support for you. (And of course dress him in a $3000 suit from your wife's designer.) I could get on the big screen, in my jeans and t-shirt and say one sentence. "I'm a mother of 8, retired from 33 years in corporate life, and my children are a reflection of my own values and ethics" Wouldn't that give McCain the same boost?
I suppose it depends on Bush's strategery. I wouldn't know. The only way I would watch it is strapped down in a chair like Malcolm McDowell in 'A Clockwork Orange'.
It probably won't hurt or help. Remember, Jack, these are the same Republicans who voted for and elected George Bush twice. They re-elected him in 2004 when we had already endured 4 years of his disastrous leadership and they hadn't learned anything by then.
Brownwood, Texas
It will hurt him with independents, but it won't hurt him as much as he has hurt himself lately. With judgement like he has shown having Bush there is just onemore good reason to RUN to Obama.
President Bush will fire up the base. That's Laura and Barney the dog....that's the only base left.
like it or not he our president and he is not running for office again. is the only way democrats can beat bush? i wonder how are they are going to beat McCain? lol
Jack,
Bush's speaking will not help or hurt McCain. Bush's supporters, the "18" he has left, are all about "more of the same". Many who decry Bush, still (quite blindly) see McCain as their salvation; therefore, they"ll remain in their "ignorantly blissful" state. McCain (and those he's allowing to guide his maverick horse) are sealing his fate...sealing.
By the way, I have come to learn in life that ingorance is not bliss at all, but an unknown misery, and that is it NO excuse.
Brent Hall
Jack it like this
Bush is an oil man his VP is an oil man
John is more of the same and his VP is an oil woman
That line up will hurt the U.S.A.
SMH
The Oil Lobby Got the GOP hook
I am very concerned that a woman was with inadequate qualifications was selected as running mate for Senator McCain. She is nota a statesperson, has limited knowledge of the federal system, and has been selected because she's a woman. I think the latter does a disservice to women and to her. It's alarming that she could be President of the U.S.
The Bush Speech for John McCain will carry as much weight as Rush Limbaugh would if he defended John Kerry. George Bush is a lame duck, George McCain will be a dead duck after the Bush bouquet of weeds.
The country is conservative–It will help Mccain. The liberals will never win another presidential race if they have canidates like Obama. Should have chosen Hillary!
You are asking this of the same people who voted for Bush twice?
Who prayed for a storm last Thursday to disrupt the Democrat's convention (but I suppose God chose to disrupt theirs instead); and of those who are somehow, trying to put a spin on the Sarah Palin Jerry Springer saga. Are you kidding me?
Neither. George Bush is now so irrelevant that almost anything he does, short of invading Iran, will be ignored by most voters.
No he won't help. No Way, No How, No McCain.
Ironically, Bush is the least of his problems with the implosion of the Palin pick.
I thought Cheney was President?
It will help him Jack, as long as Bush reads the speech written for him and doesn't have to answer any questions.
"Meanwhile, back at the ranch"...weren't Bush and McCain toasting champagne glasses together in celebration of McCain's birthday at McCain's Arizona home when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans just a few years ago? Bush wasn't the only one to react too slowly, McCain was just as bad.
Does it matter? Bush/ McCain – what's the difference?
It will hurt McCain, but who cares, McCain and Bush rhetoric is all the same, GO FOR IT!!
Most Americans already stopped listening to President Bush.
He and his "architect" are irrelevant. McCain will win or lose on his own merits.
McCain's quick, non-thinking decision is quite frightening. Do I want to be in this country when he makes more of these decisions if he gets into the White House? NO! Cindy McCain isn't too swift either. How does Alaska's close proximity to Russia make one familiar with foreign policy. Hey, I could get elected also – I don't live too far from Cuba!
I don't think it will make much difference. Bush is not to be trusted so anything he says, or doesn't say won't make any difference.
As much as McCain believes he will not become another Bush, having Bush, himself, speak at the RNC will hurt McCain. McCain needs to have originality and Bush will continue to act like the bad advice friend you meet at bars.
Fullerton, CA
It may help them with the Republicans that are there at the convention, but it won't help them with the Democrats and Independents at home.
President Bush has failed us, what will remain after he has left the building is trillions of dollars of debt that our children will have to pay off from an unnecessary war in Iraq.
In fact, I think it would be better if he didn't come at all. I know they're looking for a way to unify their party, but good grief – can't they do better than this?
How can Bush's appearance hurt McCain when no one will be watching?
Considering McCain is already too close to Bush as it is, and Bush has an 18% approval rating.
It can't possibly hurt him.
Bush's presence at the RNC will only further prove Hillary Clinton's point: "No Way, No How, No McCain."
I think he will hurt John Mccain.
Jack,, President Bush is a joke, the Republican party is with out a doubt a joke and the news pundents who fashion they interviews with McCain supporters are obviously jokes, until this election many people have never seen such bias interviews but as we know there has never been an African American that reached this far. It is surprising to know that the intelligence level of American news media has digressed to this level to continue at all costs the same old Republicans in power if possible, thank goodness most of those people like that are dead or will be soon.
Simply put, If I were John McCain I would want President Bush as far away from the convention as possible. I'm sure everyone would understand.
I think it hurts Bush's brain any time he speaks...
Lake Worth FL
Of course it will, I would love to make the same pay as all of McCain's boneheaded advisor's and planners. You see an Obama commercial saying more of the same every ten minutes, then bush speaks at the RNC? So many people don't like bush that it will just make McCain look worse. He has enough on his plate with this Pailn media circus, I think McCain blew his chance at the white house.
No, I don't think that the President will have an effect on McCaines campaign. People who don't like Bush will not vote for McCain, so weather he talks or not it won't help or destroy his campaign. Judge individuals don't label.
Jack, when I see clips of President Bush next to John Macain, it reminds me that Macain lost the nomination to Bush 8yrs ago. The republicans thought that Bush was the better candidate then and we see where we are today under Bush's leadership why would I want to be reminded that the weaker of the candidate could end up being president
Jack, I just heard that Iraq has awarded the first multi-billion oil contract to CHINA! Hello?? Are these not the people we've sacrificed our economy to restore their democracy and we are claiming success? Could this mean that the that the Iraqis did not appreciate our help and we spent so much~ 10B a month!. And how about the fact that McCain hopes to continue exactly where Bush left off.
Whether Bush speaks or not doesn't make any difference. What's important is for Obama to win so the your brilliant logic along with the wisdom of other media types like Keith Oberman, Wolf Blitzer and Chris Matthews can have an impact on our country. Your guy is going to win and save all of the losers.
its going to hurt him, look at what he has done to the United States,look at what he's done for jobs and our pockets. even today we learn that iraq is going to sell its oil to china while we bleed money into that part of the world. not to forget the lives that are lost while we are their.
flying by the seat of your pants politics and policy making is what we can expect out of the republican party. and now with palin being part of trooper gate and being a member of some group that wanted alaska to cut away from the United States, and her not wanting to teach sex ed even though now she is learning why it is important, first hand. whats next lets look into her husband and his dealings.
is this what we want the USA to stand for in the eyes of the world. they already want to kill us on sight.even if it means there own lives. and as an American after 911, giving them 4 more years of big brother, making Americans feel like we are the terroests, where old ladies are pulled out of a line at airports.
Please land of the free, land of big money,land of back room deals, land of unfare taxes,and land of party voting. Freedom is hiding and is not comming out to vote. Obama needs to speak up and start to show this nation that he is still on point and in control. show us the fight!
George Bush needs to reassure Evangenitals that John McCain and now, Sarah Palin have their interests in mind.
yup, he's gonna' help 'em – like having a screen door in a submarine.
It's like Tweedledum speaking for Tweedledee...
You like to say, "If you didn't see your email here, you can go to my blog." Please be honest with us all and just say "If you didn't see your email here, you must be a Republican." Give me a break, CNN.
Hurricane Gustav and the approaching storms provide a tragic but valuable opportunity for Obama's campaign, his followers, and every citizen to step forward and support the survivors of this recent natural disaster.
If Obama and Biden can unite the Democratic Party, both candidates should step forward in providing, and asking for, financial help or donations of time, energy, and effort in rebuilding LA, now.
This is a chance for Obama to show he is a man of action; unlike
the vaporous words and nothing response of three years ago (the Bush Administration should be ashamed).
People need to look away from the Palin fiasco and focus on what really matters – helping our fellow Americans.
Of course it will help. ....It will help McCain lose the election by double digits.
It scares the hell out me ,seeing the GOPstill with the steam that they have and the "lackluster Dems", not capitalizing on this moment. This great countyr of ours can not afford 4 more years of the same..... the american people want change, and that will not come under McCain's rule.