PlusRaising Cash, McCain Keeps Distance From BushRaising Cash, McCain Keeps Distance From BushThe Associated PressPresident Bush has begun a fund-raising swing to benefit John McCain and other GOP candidates, but the Republican presidential hopeful is keeping his distance. (May 27)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:Bush-helo departure]President Bush's five-state Western swing is dominated by FUNDRAISING for Republican candidates ... [Notes:File footage McCain handshaking]... events that include his FIRST joint appearance with John McCain ... [Notes:To Rose Garden March 5]... since the presumptive GOP nominee received Bush's endorsement 12 weeks ago. MCCAIN SOT: ((FROM March 5 ROSE GARDEN APPEARANCE, 2nd QUESTION)) "I hope that he will campaign for me as much as is keeping with his busy schedule." FONT: March 5, Rose Garden [Notes:Bush arrival Albuquerque]But that fund-raiser -- one of THREE Bush is doing for McCain -- was closed to press coverage, meaning no pictures of the two campaigning side-by-side. [Notes:ALTERNATE section covered with video of Phoenix departure circa 915 p.m. Eastern]But that fund-raiser -- one of THREE Bush is doing for McCain -- was closed to press coverage, meaning the only GLIMPSE of the two together was this brief airport farewell in Phoenix. The reason for this is no secret. With Bush mired at record-low poll numbers, stumping with McCain is, well, problematic. But McCain still needs the cash. DAN RONAYNE SOT: Bush great fund-raising draw, if McCain didn't take advantage, he'd should be sued for political malfeasance. FONT: Dan Ronayne, GOP strategist [Notes:To Obama event]Of course, Democrats have working OVERTIME to paint Bush and McCain as walking in lockstep. OBAMA SOT: "On issue after issue, John McCain is offering more of the same policies that have failed for the last eight years." FONT location [Notes:Hill Republican file footage]Meantime, McCain's not the only Republican keeping his political distance. In recent days, GOP lawmakers joined Democrats to override a Bush farm bill veto -- and defy ANOTHER veto threat to add domestic spending to an Iraq War money bill. The White House denies this is lame-duck-itis ... [Notes:Back to McCain campaigning]... and says for McCain it's only natural he keep Bush from crowding the picture. PERINO SOT: (Friday 5/24 daily briefing, 3:15 from start) "The President is not on the ticket. John McCain is on the ticket and we'll see who is going to be on the ticket for the Democrats. And McCain is going to have to tell his story and get out and tell the world why he should be President of the United States." (:12) [Notes:Standup close]The president's aides insist HIS campaigning for McCain WILL pick up later this year. Still, for now, with Bush riding so low in the polls, Republicans worried about their fate in November are acting as if HIS coattails are the last place they want to be. MS, AP, The Associated Press. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: bushmccain raising cash mccain keeps distance from bush Added: May 27, 2008
