Bush Fundraises For McCain Behind Closed Doors

MESA, Ariz. — President Bush, sounding upbeat as consumer confidence swooned, said Tuesday that the government's effort to stimulate the economy is just starting to kick in.

"It's going to make a positive contribution to economic growth," Bush declared, referring to a package of rebate checks for families and tax breaks for business. The most tangible part of the deal _ checks in people's mailboxes _ began arriving this month.

Bush's reassurance came as a new report put consumer confidence at its lowest level in almost 16 years. Soaring gas prices and gloomy job prospects were largely to blame.

Meanwhile, a separate index released Tuesday showed U.S. home prices dropped at the sharpest rate in two decades during the first quarter of 2008. The slump in housing and a related credit crunch, which has resulted in multibillion-dollar losses at large financial institutions, have depressed the economy and raised worries about a possible recession.

The president chose a backdrop of the Silverado Cable Co., a 70-employee business that makes electrical wiring for airplanes and other industrial uses. He trumpeted the new tax breaks that have encourage companies like Silverado to invest in new equipment.

And Bush brought up a familiar call, prodding Congress to extend his first-term tax cuts, which are due to expire in 2010. The Democratic-led Congress has shown little interest.

"We have times of economic uncertainty right now," Bush said after taking a quick tour of the company's plant. "And what creates more uncertainty for owners of businesses like these is whether or not their taxes are going to go up. And Congress ought to just declare once and for all we're going to make the tax cuts we passed permanent."

The event was a quick stop in between two fundraisers, including a private event for Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate.

The economy is plodding along with near flat-line growth. Consumers are taking a direct hit at the gas pump, and the grocery store while the housing market continues to falter.

The new tax rebates provide up to $600 for an individual and $1,200 for married couples, based on income levels. In addition, people are entitled to $300 for eligible children younger than 17.

The IRS expects to ship out 130 million refunds by the end of June.

Earlier, in the Albuquerque area, Bush touched down long enough to lead a private fundraiser for Republican congressional candidate Darren White, a local sheriff. New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, long held by Republicans, is considered a toss-up.

The incumbent, Rep. Heather Wilson, passed up a re-election bid to run for the Senate. Bush put his weight behind White, who is seeking his party's nomination on June 3. The event raised $317,000 for White and other Republican candidates in the state.

Bush is on a three-day swing through five states, and McCain is the main beneficiary. The president is having three fundraisers for the senator _ all closed to the news media. Those events will also put cash in the bank account of the national Republican Party.

Bush is also giving the commencement address at the U.S. Air Force Academy commencement in Colorado on Wednesday. By holding official events intermingled with his party fundraising, Bush dramatically reduces the cost of presidential travel that's charged to the campaigns of McCain and other candidates. Taxpayers pick up the rest of the tab.

Comments

[robeson]

Bush Fundraises For McCain Behind Closed Doors
The door may be closed but both these gentlemen communicate with a wide stance.

[ibsteve2u]

Hope those closed doors aren't airport bathroom stall doors, or one of their fellow Republicans is liable to make it impossible for them to focus...

[vippy]

Notice how the media always claims that Bush's poll numbers sank but they are still at 28%. Amazing how that works. I would not doubt it for a minute if those two try to figure out a way of stealing the election again.

[DRaymond]

Sadly, there are still a half-years worth of regulatons to be created, contracts to be handed out, appointments to be made, and those all-important final week pardons.

[Zhonni]

Sen. McCain, you can run but you can't hide!

[Salome]

Please make checks out to "Halliburton."

And also, don't forget to save your money for W's Prezidentshull Liberry. It's going to be an amazing collection of Cliff's Notes and religious-themed coloring books in a dusty corner of the Skull and Bones Tomb at Yale.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

SMU will never be the same again.

[lisakaz2]

King of the 28%ers! Can we give 'em one state and let 'em make their own country?

[k6007]

How about an Island.............Alcatraz?

[schicklett3]

John McCain is on tv right now - giving another one of his "I see in the future visions" and being heckled by protesters.
He is the most boring speaker of all time.
Tune in and listen.

[OuterBoroughPrincess]

More effective than Ambien and DEFINITELY not habit forming.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Because John McCain was shot down and held as a prisoner of war for 5 years dose not make him a war hero, the same way thousands of pilots in WW2 were shot down and in the case of Japanese were mistreated, beheaded and tortured, did not view themselves as heroes, but survivors which is what John McCain is, as was my father who served with distinction in North Africa and latter in five major campaigns pushing the German defensive line up the boot a tactic the tenacious Germans were brilliant at. My father did not view himself as a war hero even though he won 2 Bronze Stars and Purple Heart for his service, he was just glad to survive the war and come home. I do not like to attack McCain"s service, but I do not think it qualifies or gives him special incite on domestic or international policy. I am not impressed by the McCain"s healthcare plan, or the Lieberman, Graham fear mongering tour, it"s just more of a the same BS, which has failed this country since 9-11.

[Tom95134]

Bush is like the crazy aunt that you don't take out in public. On second thought, McCain is almost the same. Two peas in a pod.

[likeicare]

McSame doesn't want to be seen in public with that giant asshole -- who can blame him?

I heard an event at a coliseum had to be moved b/c of poor ticket sales -- who'd PAY to see Bush?

Just getting what you deserve, Johnny.

[nirak]

Bush and McCain, a Match made in heaven

[tellinya]

Americans,
Are we gonna let this flip flopper ruin the country even further? We need to defend this country from enemies within. Rove is an enemy of the people. If he and McCain win again, we can expect more soldiers dying in Iraq and a war with Iran which will bankrupt us and reinstate the draft.
Mobilize. Get the vote out. Volunteer.
Now is the time for patriots to step up

[Lagniappe]

I think its interesting its held in Utah,right on the heels of having Mitt Romney over for BBQ in Arizona. Now that its unlikely McCain will get the Evangelicals,I guess the Mormon vote could bring a lot of $$$ into the GOP coffers. Wonder if that had something to do with Texas suddenly ruling over the weekend to let all those Mormon children go back to their parents,after removing them with little to no evidence of abuse?? Something suspicious about the timing,-and the Texas connection to all of this polygamy incident.

[trollsbwild]

Were they separated at birth? Relatively same initelligence, short tempers, delusional beliefs.

Meanwhile, anyone see Recount? How hard was that to watch? My blood pressure must have been through the roof.

[1differentdrummer]

Same preferential legacy treatment by the military, same lack of flying skills. We don't know that w lost three planes that should have gotten him banned him from flying, but we know John did. Twenty-eight medals for flying twenty hours of combat? I've known guys who were on the ground fighting in WWII, Korea or 'Nam for years without that many medals. One character I know had several birds shot out from under him in three tours in 'Nam, without a chest full of ribbons. I guess being an admiral's son and grandson makes all of the difference.

[hippieforlife]

Being the son and grandson of admirals did not do John McCain much good at all. He could have used that excuse to come back earlier but chose to stay with his men.

Maybe Obama got a blister on his heel walking around Chicago.