Keeping Bush at a distance

By Julie Hirschfeld Davis
Sun Reporter
Originally published May 31, 2006

WASHINGTON // When President Bush arrives in the Baltimore area this evening to raise campaign money for Maryland Republicans .. Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, whose Senate bid stands to gain from the $1 million-plus that Bush's appearance is expected to draw, will be at a Las Vegas, Nev., fundraiser, instead.

Steele joins a growing list of Republican candidates who are declining a chance to be seen with the president in this election year, even as they rely on the hefty amounts of campaign cash that Bush attracts as his party's biggest draw.

This month, two Republican House members stood Bush up at fundraisers in their backyards. Virginia Rep. Thelma Drake's office said she had to cast a vote in Congress during the president's stop at a fundraiser in Hampton Roads, Va., while Pennsylvania Rep. Curt Weldon skipped Bush's Philadelphia fundraiser last week, telling The Wall Street Journal that Bush was doing so poorly in his state that he wouldn't rely on his help ..

Six months ago, Bush helped Steele raise $500,000 at a midday reception at M&T Bank Stadium. This time, Steele's campaign is quick to point out, Bush is stopping in the state on behalf of the party, not the lieutenant governor. But Steele would be one of several Maryland Republicans eligible to receive the money that the state party collects tonight ..

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.bush31may31,0,5574217.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

Now THAT is contempt!

bush comes to Seattle in a week or two. Maria Cantwell's republican opponent has already announced he won't be in town.